not eating

[lovemyshiba]

Kito isn't eating much. He just sniffs his food, and sticks his head up and walks away from it. I have tried a lot with him, changed his food a few times, mixed some together, new dish, hand fed him, put his food on the floor. It's not that unusualy for him not to eat right away, but usually we'll leave his food out for him if we go somewhere, and the other 2 can't get it. He can usually eat it at his leisure when we do this.
Anyway, it's starting to worry me a little--he will still take treats and eat people food if it's offered, so I don't think he's sick, but what can I do to get him to eat??

[binka_nugget]

same problem with Kai. I leave it out during the day because we're gone for about 5 or more hours at school. I think he's gotten use to it.. and thinking 'naw i can eat it later'. Hm..well I'm not sure what to tell you. We're changing to the raw diet this weekend and thank god he loves that...he's just a pig for raw food.

[AngelZoo]

If Kito accepts people food, why not try to convert him to a raw/barf diet?

Other wise, switch to 2 meal times a day, after 15 minutes if he has stopped eating, pick up and put away any remaning food in the bowl, and say tough nuggets until supper time. And then repeat the same process if he does not finish or eat his supper.
And remove ALL treats during the day. No more treats until he gets back on a regular feeding schedule.

If Kito is not sick, that's exactly what he thinks "meh, I'll just eat later whenever I feel like it." or... "I'll just hold out for treats, if i don't eat my supper she'll just give me more treats and human food."

[Byakko's Mom]

I have that problem with both Byakko and Dakota. Mojo eats anything anytime.I think the warmer it is the less they eat.Plus sometimes they are sick of their food I think.I just add a teaspoon of yogurt and/or carrots or something and they will eat more.I do the hand feeding sometimes too.I do sympathize.It gets frustrating sometimes.Especially with Dakota who we are trying to get to gain weight.I definately understand.I am trying to think to answer you and play with my granddaughter at the same time.
Laurie

[micki76]

Yeah, Chester has had a lot of problems with food since we got Millie. Mille will eat anything, anytime but Chester was used to having his food out at all times and eating at his leisure. We had to pick it up once Millie came a long and set eating times for them. It took Chester a long time to adjust to “here’s your food, eat it now or I’ll pick it up”, but now he looks forward to eating time and eats with relish. We also stopped ALL people food. This seems to have been the best motivator.

[mpoier]

I have this same problem with Ceebers sometimes. He will just eat all through the day, which drives me nuts because it seems he always has food available and can get in the way of training.

Its helped to add some other snacks and throughly mix it in the food...and after 20 minutes I've been putting the food away, seems to work okay.

[tatsxxx11]

How's Kito doing?? Are you eating better, cutie pie? Hoping for a positive update!

[lovemyshiba]

Thanks for worrying!! Actually, this week he has been eating all of his food--I moved it into another room, not in the same room where the other 2 eat, and he gobbles it up now--he's silly
Abbey and Riley both eat in their crates, so he doesn't have to "worry" about them getting near his food.
Thanks for all of the tips, I usually do pick it up after 15 minutes or so, because the other 2 are done, and ready to go out!!

[tatsxxx11]

Phew! Great to hear precious Kito's being a chow hound! Hugs to Abbey, Kito and Riley

[Tonya]

My dogs and cats go through phases where they don't eat so much too. I don't worry to much unless their weight or behavior changes. What exactly do you all feed your dogs on the raw/barf diet? I'd never heard of that before. It sounds like it'd be expensive. I am envisioning tri tips and whatnot. lol. My dogs get a special day once a month. I clean out the freezer and fridge. I cook up all the meat that isn't getting eaten. I throw in some veggies and apples. (They love apples) I make a gravy for them. They love it. For some reason, they always can tell when I am cooking for them. They get all excited while they wait.