Adopted a rescue, and he still hasnt eatten.

[stcktnkid]

I adopted Jack a 2 year old male boxer, and I already had a 9 month old male named tyson. Well Jack is 50 lbs and has alot of muscle to him. He looks like he was injected with steroids compared to my 9 month old, but the new dog is very underweight. You can see 5 ribs, and some of his spine. He is full of energy and he and the 9 month old run outside and wrestle for hours, then sleep then play hard more. This underweight rescue is full of energy and very strong. But hasnt touched his food in two days.

Is it normal for a new rescue to not eat in his new environment? He is up to date on shots and his fecal test was negative. Getting heartworm tested today. He ate a few pieces of food from my hand last night but I would think he would eat non stop since he is so underweight. Should I just weight and keep offering food? Or what? I dont want him to get any skinnier.

Thanks Chris

 

[Austin's Mom]

Maybe he just isn't used to his new enviroment. Like some dogs when they go to the kennel they don't eat. When Austin stayed overnight Friday at the vet he didn't eat, drink, pee or poop. Could it be he doesn't like the food?

 

[stcktnkid]

well the foster family he was living with said they were feeding him Blue Buffalo and he would eat alot he just prefered that you stood in the same room with him while he ate...like if you walked away he would walk away and follow you.

I am feeding both dog inside their crate to reinforce the denning instinct. I put both dogs in their crates and then a bowl of food in.. My 9 month olds eats like a champ, but the new one looks at it then lays down. So after about 20 mins I take the bowls away. The new rescue does not get offered food until the next feeding time. Eventually he will get hungry enough to eat.

And for an update I ran out during lunch time and left him a small portion in his crate while I was gone and came home and found that he finally ate a small amount. He has no problem with drinking water, its just the eatting that hes shy about.

 

[Ritzertboys]

I was thining the same thing about the eating where you have to be with him. A lot of time my boys are so excited in the morning that I have to literally tell them (verbally) to eat their food and sit in the kitchen with them while they eat, or they will not even touch it. Once I start to coax them and let them know I will be there while they eat, and ready to play when they are done they are just fine!

 

[mancin]

well the foster family he was living with said they were feeding him Blue Buffalo and he would eat alot he just prefered that you stood in the same room with him while he ate...like if you walked away he would walk away and follow you.

When I adopted Abby, she was the same way. I adopted her knowing she had separation anxiety and that she was going to take some extra work. I feed my other 2 in their crates, so I also wanted to do the same with her, but she was terrified of the crate. She would freeze and refused to eat, especially if she was alone. I started out by staying in the room with her (her alone), with the bowl of food in front of the crate. After a couple days of that, I moved the bowl just inside the crate. Then moved the bowl midway into the crate (and giggled to myself as she streeeeeeeeetched to get the food without going into the crate). Then I moved the bowl into the back of the crate so she HAD to go in there, but left the door open. Then I closed the door. Then I left her alone. Then I moved her crate out with the boys. She's been fine ever since. Baby steps worked for me.

 

[stcktnkid]

well just an update, I added some canned food with his dry, and he ate it all. So I think he is feeling a little better, and im pretty happy he is starting to eat. He needs to put on some weight.