Gone off food

Just over a week ago I went into hospital for a few days. My son says that Kuchar ate normally during this time. I have occasionally been away from Kuchar for a few days previously so this wasn't a new thing for him.

Since I've been home (a week ago today) Kuchar has been leaving a lot of his dinner (three quarters of a Wainwright tray). I am obviously "different" for the time being as I can't move about easily and obviously don't take him for walks, and my son has been a bit tense about the extra responsibility and "work" around the house that he has necessarily had to take on (he walks Kuchar twice a day and plays with him). Kuchar still sleeps with me a night - I'm a bit wary sometimes in case he treads or plumps down on my knee, and once or twice he's sniffed at my knee which is still covered in hospital dressings. but I give him lots of cuddles and love.

I've told my son that Kuchar won't starve himself and fresh food is put down for him daily.

I just need reassurance really - do you think I'm doing right in trying to make things as normal as possible for Kuchar in the hopes that he'll settle down, or should I start changing his food and/or adding tempting titbits into his food?

I'd carry on as you are, although if you wanted to add, say, some sardine in his food, or a raw egg it wouldn't hurt.

Carrying on as normal as possible is probably the best way forward. If he's lively and happy in himself then I don't think there's too much wrong other than the household 'normals' being skew wiff!

Dogs seem to like a set routine as far as possible and don't really cope if the main day to day things are changed. But he'll settle down in his own time, I'm sure!

Thank you Caryll - reassurance is what I need. We can't help worrying about our babies can we.

I know! You can't help but worry when something isn't right.

The only time I really worry about Dempsey is when he won't eat, but that's because he's a greedy *&£%$"!!

Yes I can imagine that if your dog is normally a gannet for food then if they start refusing that is a real worry.

He's only ever gone off his food properly twice. The first time he had giardia, and the second time he had bloat. So both times it was pretty serious!  

I think you're doing the right thing. I should imagine the upset is more about what's going on right now, with the change in routine; he probably also senses that something's a little different with you.

By all means, add something enticing to his food, but I wouldn't cross over into pampering! Give them an inch and they'll take a mile!

I'm sure you're right - just needed reassurance!

In Dempsey's case it was clear indication that something was seriously wrong and you could get onto the case quickly.

We all need reassurance from time to time!

 

Any improvement?

More or less yes, thank you.

He doesn't eat his food immediately it's put down (unless something really scrummy has been added in) but then he usually doesn't anyway. So I ignore the "take it up after 15 minutes" rule and leave it there, and he'll creep down in the dead of night and eat it. I don't care, just so long as he eats it!

Tbh, the 'take it away after 15 minutes' usually applies to dogs who pick randomly at their food through the next few hours or don't eat it at all. If he's back to normal for him, that's great!

Normal for him, yes thank you Eleanor!

I dunno, are any of them really normal?  

Glad he's feeling better! Give him a big from me!

ah thank you Eleanor and Caryll! Kuchar sends you both (and Dempsey) big hugs and licks and says "I'll eat when I want to eat, and I do"

Straight from the dog's mouth!

Big hugs back to Kuchar!

 

You go ahead & do want you want, boy!!!  

Oh he does, he does!

He's an adolescent - it's what he's good at!