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Question
08 Dec 2004
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Not eating
My 8 month old Staffie just wont eat anymore- he LOVES food and gets excited when i'm dishing his food, but he takes a few bites, walks around a bit, takes another bite, etc...and then just leaves his food. I also have a 6 month old female ridgeback cross and for a while she intimidated him when they ate- so much so that my staffie would lie ovre his food bowl and remain frozen. But even when i separate them, he's not interested- what could it be?
CyberVet
Hi Carms
I hope you have had him checked by your vet as he may just be sick or have a sore tooth. Also check to see that the food you are giving him is ok. Sometimes pellets go off and he may like the smell of them, but the taste is not good. Also check that you are feeding him the right food and the right amount for his age and breed. If that's all clear then perhaps, as you guessed, he has learned that eating is not a pleasant experience. I suggest you continue separating the dogs and make it a pleasant thing for him. Perhaps make it a game by scattering the pellets around so he has to chase them or look for them. Add some interesting healthy titbits to the food (grated carrot, apple, tablespoon of stock, brown rice, tiny bit of dry wors etc.) to entice him. Try changing his bowl or moving it to a different area as this may help to break the pattern. Once you have put the food down then walk away and don't stand and watch or reward him for eating, as this could result in manipulation and over-eating. After half an hour take his food away till the next meal. Don't worry too much if he doesn't eat for a day or two - dogs can handle that.
Karen Gray-Kilfoil
ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST
I hope you have had him checked by your vet as he may just be sick or have a sore tooth. Also check to see that the food you are giving him is ok. Sometimes pellets go off and he may like the smell of them, but the taste is not good. Also check that you are feeding him the right food and the right amount for his age and breed. If that's all clear then perhaps, as you guessed, he has learned that eating is not a pleasant experience. I suggest you continue separating the dogs and make it a pleasant thing for him. Perhaps make it a game by scattering the pellets around so he has to chase them or look for them. Add some interesting healthy titbits to the food (grated carrot, apple, tablespoon of stock, brown rice, tiny bit of dry wors etc.) to entice him. Try changing his bowl or moving it to a different area as this may help to break the pattern. Once you have put the food down then walk away and don't stand and watch or reward him for eating, as this could result in manipulation and over-eating. After half an hour take his food away till the next meal. Don't worry too much if he doesn't eat for a day or two - dogs can handle that.
Karen Gray-Kilfoil
ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST
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