Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:03 am Post subject: Not eating? Should I worry?
Poppy didn't eat her breakfast this morning - I've not come across a labrador to turn down food - she's never overly enthusiastic toward her food to be perfectly honest, she'll have a sniff - eat some and walk away...I've tried changing her dish thinking she didnt like it as it was too big, to no avail.
She's been to the vet and had her puppy check, all is fine and she's certainly not ill. Is she just settling in?
She has James wellbeloved wetted down 3 times per day.
Bella loves her food, but doesn't goble it up. She is a fairly slow eater and takes her time, although will always finish it in one sitting. The only time she outright refused food was when she was really ill with vomiting and diarrhea.
Bella has a sensitive digestion and it has taken me a while to find something that agrees with her and that she will eat. When changing her food, initially tried her on a Salmon and Potato, but she really didn't like it and would often leave some if not all. Once I changed to a Lamb & Rice, she is fine again.
I'm not sure how long you've had her, but if it's only a few days, I wouldn't worry. Give her a chance to settle down as she has had really big changes already in her short life. If she continues to refuse food take her to the vet. If she just appears fussy, try her on a different flavour.
Not all labs wolf their food down in one mouthful
____________ Owned by Bella, Shadow & Cats ....
Never forgetting Harry : 18/01/11 - 14/05/11 RIP
I hope Poppy is ok, we are giving Angus it bit mince with his Kibble and he is like a little piggy and gobbles it up in less than a minute, maybe it's a boy thing!!
I hope she has settled in ok, post a couple of pictures when you get 5 minutes free and are not chasing a puppy around the house.
It's always a worry when they won't eat. How has she been since you last posted?
How old is she?
How much kibble do you give her at each meal?
Is this the same food she was on when you brought her home?
How long has she been home?
Have you moved the place or time of feeding?
Have you changed the flavour of the food?
Is it noisy or busy where she's fed?
Has she got diarrhoea or vomiting or acting strange - lethargic/pacing etc?
Is she drinking?
This is the thing that worries me most - dehydration, try to ensure she drinks even if she won't eat. Sometimes a little honey in the water (not a full bowl in case she just drinks it in one go) can entice them if reluctant.
Finally you say she had a puppy check - when do you mean today? Did she have any of her jabs or wormer whilst there/since as this can give them upset tummies and hence they may not want to eat.
Sorry to ask so many questions just trying to run through my own mental list of why a labby might not want to eat.
Thanks everyone - she had her lunch and dinner with more encouragement but to be honest, I'm used to a labrador who eats in seconds - perhaps its a girl thing and she likes to take her time!!
She's been with us since Sunday, has 3 meals a day about 60g of James wellbeloved at each meal - she likes the food and is happy to train with it - although she prefers a bit of chicken but then who wouldnt!!
On the whole shes absolutely fine, an absolute joy - I might get some puppy naturediet to mix in with her kibble see if that makes a difference....
Glad to hear Angus is doing well Lee, I did post a few pics....are you on Facebook? Theres loads of pics of her on there.....I think you have my name from an email I sent you?
Just a thought!
Do you wash her bowl? If you do and use washing up liquid make sure you rinse it well with plain water afterwards. I thought Luna went off her food once but think it was the washing up liquid taste she disliked!
Just a thought!
Do you wash her bowl? If you do and use washing up liquid make sure you rinse it well with plain water afterwards. I thought Luna went off her food once but think it was the washing up liquid taste she disliked!
I'd never even thought of that - but yes I do! I'll rinse it tomorrow....thanks!!
I think it is not unusual for puppies to go through this stage, after having all the competition of their litter mates waiting in the wings, to suddenly having a whole bowl and no one peering over their shoulder ready to steal it .
She has probably been getting a little more than she is used to , because despite all our best intentions a little bowl swapping often takes place at litter meal times
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Sophie's always been a 'take it or leave it' eater, so it's quite likely that Poppy's simply eating when she's ready. Rutherford has stopped wolfing down his grub now that he's not competing with the rest of the gang.
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