My 9 week old BD doesnt eat

[Acho]

Hi there, I picked up my border collie one week ago from his breeders. They gave me some food to go but when i get home he wont eat anything. It has been 5 days and he has been eating at a minimum. Its like he doesnt like the food, so I talked to a person who had his sister. His sister didnt eat at first either but she managed to get her dogs appetite up and going. Since she was a breeder I asked if I could buy a bag of puppyfood from her.

 

Well it seems he doesnt want that either, I have tried to trick him by mixing something I know he mananges to put into himself. If he doesnt start to eat soon im gonna get really scared.

 

The owner of his sister said it might be because the breeders just had their food bowls filled all the time so that the dogs could eat when they felt like it. Thus triggering the I can eat whenever I want to effect. She started giving her dog a routine, that when she didnt eat she just placed the food away until next eating time. After a few days her puppy started to eat like crazy when the food came on the floor.

 

But I want to know, if my dog doesnt start to eat with this method what should I do. It doesnt seem to be a stomach issue cous the dog does leave his trails from his rear end. And his stomach was checked, he does eat treats and other non dog food things. It might also be from his puppy shots but I dont think they would last over a week.

 

Hope I can get some hints from you guys at these boards.

 

Thanks again

 

Chris and Acho

[Tassie]

I'm no expert, Chris, but I had a similar sort of thing with my boy, Fergus, when I brought him home. Like you, I had him on the same diet that his breeder had given. And I did have an older dog so it wasn?t that he wasn?t used to eating alone, which I think can be an issue for some pups.

 

I think I just persevered with small amounts of food and lots of encouragement, but still keeping to a meal routine. He was on a mixed diet then ? different foods at different meals - cereal and yoghurt, ground beef (raw hamburger), puppy kibble. You could try chicken necks ? most dogs will enjoy these, or chicken wings.

 

I think it was about 2 weeks or more before Fergus was eating normally. Since then, he?s never been a picky eater, so don?t think it?s necessarily going to be a long term problem.

 

My other pup was eating normally right from the time she came home ? and that was after an air trip, like Fergus ? so I guess it?s a rather individual thing with pups.

 

If you?re worried, check with your vet or with the breeder, or both. Just make sure he?s drinking enough not to get dehydrated.

[Acho]

thanks, everyone tells me the same thing so I shouldnt worry to much then. He drinks alot so that isnt a problem.

 

Il check in with a update here on his current status... when things improve

[haflingerrider]

When you say that he will eat other things and treats...... I say when you want to give him other things and treats, instead go to his bowl and give him a piece of dog food.

 

We always feed dry food, tablespoon of cottage cheese and a tablespoon of a good quality canned dog food to our puppies. I also feed free choice like your breeder.

[zoozq1]

my beau wouldn't eat the same food breeder was giving either. tried many puppy foods - he literally left it in bowl till turned green - so experimented and found his "deal" was water packed tuna of all things. he is almost 4 yrs old now and lives on tuna, chicken, turkey, pork and assorted veggies and cheese - will not hardly touch beef especially ground beef no matter how it is disguised. (not even steak!!) think their tummies know what makes them feel yucky.

[Acho]

Well I know he can handle his puppyfood now cous I manage to trick the food in him with a little encouragement called treat spice hehe.

 

So I guess its all about time until he eats normally. Im gonna cut back on treats gradually until he eats it without the extras. Il keep posted here...