dog question (NTR)

MrsMommyQ · June 2012

We are babysitting my Grandmother's dog while she has open heart surgery and then goes to a rehab facility. (She's 86, so the dog will liekly be here for 3-4 weeks)

The dog is a small Yorkie. He probably weights 5 lbs. He just came home with me a few hours ago and he seems happy so far. He sniffed everything, ran around, peed outside, etc. My grandma only gives him 1 meal a day, which is dinner. I gave it to him, but he won't eat.

How long till I worry/what can I do?

HElizabethDU · June 2012

JMO but I would give it a day or two. My mom's dog hardly eats when we watch her. She is a nervous dog. As long as she isn't moppy or not drinking I wouldn't worry.

judahsmommy1 · June 2012

I wouldn't worry for the first day or two. He's probably just adjusting to his new surroundings. After that, maybe you could encourage him to eat it by pouring something tasty over it... I've heard people suggest a little bacon grease, mix it with a little bit of canned dog food, that type of thing.

pawstech09 · June 2012

Very common! I wouldn't worry for at least 2-3 days, if on the 3rd day the dog hasn't eaten anything then I would call your grandmother's vet and ask for recommendations, or try some canned food (they like the smell/taste). If the dog is also not drinking anything I would worry more, so just make sure you offer enough liquids too. He's just getting used to a new environment and routine, not eating is one of the first things they usually do. If he doesn't eat at all today, try offering something tomorrow earlier in the day.

write2nicole · June 2012

I agree with PPs; I used to have a nervous little dog who skipped meals when we were gone. Even our not-so-nervous dog doesn't like to eat when we're not home with him.

If she still doesn't eat by tomorrow, you can pour a little water on the food. It brings out the smell a bit more, so it's more appetizing.

kaileyc · June 2012

I would throw a little cheese or cottage cheese on/in the food tonight. Little dogs can't fast as long as big dogs (blood sugar issues) in general. If she doesn't eat tonight scramble her an egg in the morning. Most can't pass up an egg no matter how much they miss their owner.

kwitt22 · June 2012

BostonKisses2:

GIve it a few days. And it can't hurt to leave the bowl down for a while so he can go and eat when he feels comfortable. Our dogs were a mess when we first brought them home after rescuing them, and it took them a few days to adjust and eat normally. Even now, there are nights when they don't eat for whatever reason, and we leave their food down for a while. Most of the time they will eat it within a couple hours of being served. So yeah, give your grandmother's pup some time to adjust before worrying too much.

ETA: I second Ella's green bean suggestion. Cooked carrots can also work. Our dogs absolutely love both!

Or canned pumpkin (if you can find this time of year). My dog goes BSC for canned pumpkin.

kaileyc · June 2012

Scout2005:
kwitt22:
BostonKisses2:

GIve it a few days. And it can't hurt to leave the bowl down for a while so he can go and eat when he feels comfortable. Our dogs were a mess when we first brought them home after rescuing them, and it took them a few days to adjust and eat normally. Even now, there are nights when they don't eat for whatever reason, and we leave their food down for a while. Most of the time they will eat it within a couple hours of being served. So yeah, give your grandmother's pup some time to adjust before worrying too much.

ETA: I second Ella's green bean suggestion. Cooked carrots can also work. Our dogs absolutely love both!

Or canned pumpkin (if you can find this time of year). My dog goes BSC for canned pumpkin.

Ours too. They are so weird.

We actually freeze her Kong w/ canned pumpkin in it. It buys us MOMENTS of peace when people come over to visit.

Careful with the canned pumpkin. If they get too much it can make them constipated, at least mine do.

jo4janet · June 2012

He misses your grandma, so that's probably why he isn't eating. That is totally normal. Give it a day or two and he should come around. Otherwise you could try to entice him with peanut butter or some other dog treats. He wants to make sure he could trust you before he takes the food you give him. My beagle was like that when we went away, which is HIGHLY unusual for him, but I think he was trying to make sure that he wouldn't be poisoned by our dog sitter (just kidding).

mrebecca · June 2012

Hmm, that's really interesting. I didn't know dogs would do that...

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