Kyra won't eat...

[k9krazee]

On her own that is...she was a bottle baby and has been hand fed forever. We are having a problem trying to get her to eat from our bowl now, I know its our fault for not making her when she was younger but its soo inconvienent now!
Once she started getting older we would put her food down, after begging her to eat her own food from the bowl we would give in and let her eat it from our hands. This is VERY annoying when I am up in the morning trying to get ready for school and she will not eat her breakfast! We even leave food all day in her crate with her but she won't eat it. Then when I get home I have to feed her by hand to get any food in her, sometimes we even have to force her to start eating and once she starts she will usually finish all of it (if its in your hand). I think she just gets bored of the same thing all the time, she can only have dry food because of her cleft-palate, she ate her food better when we put Iams savory sauce over it but then we had problems with her sneezing a lot and it going in her nose. How can she become more independent and eat on her own?! She is already very skinny, I would like her to start eating more consistently and fatten up a bit!!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/kangashrew13/My%20dogs/prariedog.jpg

[Kfamr]

Have you tried mixing a bit of warm water in her food? My dogs go NUTS when I mix warm water in their food.

[wolfsoul]

A dog won't starve itself. I say the best thing to do is not to give in. It sounds more like Kyra is training you. ;) She knows that if she waits long enough, you will give in and hand-feed her. I say to put her bowl of food down and leave it there. She'll eventually get hungry enough to eat it herself, even if it takes a couple of days.

[Dixieland Dancer]

This may seem harsh but I would let her go for a couple days without eating before panicking about her not eating her food. When she gets hungry enough she will eat on her own. Just make sure the food is available to her and she has plenty of clean water to drink.

[k9krazee]

"Have you tried mixing a bit of warm water in her food? My dogs go NUTS when I mix warm water in their food."

I didn't think of that...Kyra isn't allowed to eat anything soft or mushy because it could get stuck in the roof of her mouth...;) I could try adding a little though!

We will definately try to not give in...it will be hard, especially for my mom but I just really really want her to eat by herself. I know she has us trained very well! We feed the dogs 2X a day and if we leave it out piggy Jack will eat it, instead of leaving it available for her ALL the time would it be okay just to offer it to her when everyone else gets fed and then leave with her in the crate all day? Thanks for the help!

[ginagt]

Since you don't want your other dog to eat the food, it would be alright to feed her when every one else gets fed and then leave it in her crate with her. It might take a while for her to start eating on her own, but remember don't give in. Even if you give in one time she will think if she holds out long enough you will give in. She will not starve, when she gets hungry enough and realizes you are not giving in she will eat. Good luck and be strong!

[bckrazy]

It does sound like Kyra has trained you well :)

I wouldn't leave it in her crate with her during the day. . . that's the equivalent to free-feeding, and gives her the option. She'll still probably pick at the food during the day, without getting a full meal in. You should try to just set her food down for 15 minutes in the morning, then 15 minutes in the evening. Pick it up after 15 mins, even if she hasn't eaten. She won't go more than 1 or 2 days without eating!! Since you also want her to gain weight, you could add meat or veggies to her kibble.

[IRescue452]

I agree with leaving the food down for 15 minutes and then picking it up an offering it at the next meal again. She won't starve herself. It sounds harse but it works. This is a very common problem with an easy fix.

[lv4dogs]

I agree w/ everyone else, she has you trained & she won't starve herself. I'd leave it for 15-20 minutes, and pick up any remaining food.

As long as a dog is healthy & has fresh water available they can easily go 5-7 days without food with no ill effects.

Good luck!

[k9krazee]

Well we have been following everyones advice and she ate one whole cup for dinner tonight by HERSELF...out of her OWN bowl!!! I put a little warm water on it (thx Kfamr) and she chowed down!!

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by k9krazee
I put a little warm water on it (thx Kfmar) and she chowed down!!
Make sure you don't put water in it if the food contains citric acid. :) Water in food with citric acid can increase the risk of bloat. Also make sure you leave the water in too long -- in just a matter of minutes, bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels.