Just won't eat! Terribly skinny..

[Dozing03]

I can't get Hooch to eat. I don't know why he won't eat. Ever since we got him about 2 months ago. The family before said that they just gave him dry dog food and let him eat whenever, but he was a skeleton then. He has gained a tiny bit of weight since then, but still won't eat. I have tried everything. Wet food with dry food, wet food only, dry food only. I put a cup of warm water in with it (he drinks the water and then leaves the food). I have tried different brands of food. The vet ran tests on him and says there is nothing wrong. I don't know what to do! I'm embarrased when i take him on walks because I don't want people thinking that I abuse him. I just want him to eat. Help!

 

[Queenmum]

Wilma is going thru that "anorexic stage" right now too. Just when I get her up to 54 lbs. she "Boxer burned" her way back to 52 lbs. You can see 5 ribs and about 6 inches of spine. She eats anything she wants...dry and moist food and 2 scrambled eggs most mornings and wet and dry food at night. Just a high metabolism. The heat aslo has a little to do with appetite. Wilma still wants to eat...it just doesn't stay with her.

If he is losing weight, be concerned...if he is maintaining, it is just probably a phase.

 

[shannonmac]

I know your pain

Kneesaa WOULD NOT EAT!!!
Wouldn't eat dry food, wouldn't eat the wet food, wouldn't eat dry food wet...etc, etc...
I ended up puting her on the RAW diet, OH MY GOD!!!
She practically BEGS to eat now!
It's amazing...if you can, try that, seriously, everyone has told me how much better she looks, it was the only thing I could get her to eat. I started her off on chicken wings with some mashed up cooked veggies, she practically inhaled them...i've never, ever seen her so psyched for food.
Good Luck!!!

 

[boxer]

I'd try feeding a natural raw diet too. There are lots of dogs that just don't like kibble, but will eat perfectly well when given a natural diet.

If you aren't prepared to try that, then maybe Innova EVO might be worth a try for you (providing your dog isn't a puppy - it's not suitable for pups). The grains in kibble are something that dogs find difficult to digest, and even if you aren't seeing effects like throwing up and diarrhoea, it's quite possible that it makes him feel unwell. EVO is made without any grains - so that's something your dog might find both more palatable and more agreeable with his system.

 

[Dozing03]

Thank-you

Thanks so much for the advice, I think I will try the raw food diet and see how that works, if not, I'll see if it's just a phase.
Hopefully he'll gain some weight.

 

[lafsalot]

Glad you have decided to try raw. My (formerly) picky eaters just love it and lick their bowls clean! Our new addition has also filled out after barfing. Good luck ~ Cathy

 

[courtney323]

Dozing03 -

Please post your Introduction, as well. This is something required of all new members, and all accounts without a valid introduction are regularly deleted

www.boxerworld.com/rules

Thanks

 

[KonaKoffe]

When my Kona won't eat I put some plain yogurt over the food (1 tablespoon). Seems to help.

Where in Germany do you live? My parents are from Essen and Velbert.

 

[nmarlin]

My jada is a finicky eater too, she's been eating a lot more since i started mixing innova evo in her food. she loves it.