Dog won't eat!

Hand feed - that's what I did.

Have you got a friend with a dog? Our old dog would sometimes not eat but if my friend and her dog popped in she would go to her bowl and gobble everything up as fast as she could in case the visitor showed any interest!

Yes I agree hand feed. Also if you warm the food that makes it more "smelly" and quite often helps. It also helps sometimes if you can liquidise food, one of my older dogs would lap liquidised chicken when she felt unable,to eat. I do hope something helps, it is such a worry when they get frail.

I've tried hand feeding and warming the food, that didn't work. Neither did scattering parmesan cheese on it. Millymouge, I tried liquidising her dinner yesterday, she just sniffed it and turned away. She gobbled up the corner beef like there was no tomorrow, but then she must have been very hungry after yesterday's refusals.

Poor baby. I used to feed one of my old dogs with a fork.my present dog will only eat chicken, offal (cooked) or sardines. She's become fat on these things but I must give her what she likes. I think animals are a big worry. But luv 'em!

How long has she gone without food Hilda ? Maybe she will just eat when she is ready and its best to take the food away and try again later. If the non eating persists then perhaps she feels its the end of the road for her. It's heart breaking when we can't help our pets, I sympathise with you.

One of my cats wasn't eating last week so I took him to the Vet as I read that this is dangerous for cats, can lead to liver shut down after 2-3 days. The vet could find nothing wrong but gave him an appetite booster injection since when he has been fine. My other cat has now stopped eating, so I assume it is a virus or bug so will not visit the vet again just yet. (First one cost me £92!) If you are prepared to pay this sort of amount, it is possible that your vet could give something similar to help the appetite. I know how it feels to fear that the end is nigh, it is painful isn't it? We just have to make the choice based on our instincts, and if you feel she isn't suffering the vet will listen. Good wishes for a good outcome (((hugs))).

Maybe they are like humans.

My mother, who had dementia, gradually refused to eat and drink. It was heartbreaking as she literally starved to death in the end.

I wonder if your dear dog is going through the same process?

Will she eat pasta? DD used to feed her dogs pasta with tuna once or twice a week, it's nice and soft. Apparently an occasional pasta meal is supposed to stop them smelling 'doggy' too.
When we inherited a dog he refused to eat and I resorted to sitting on the floor getting him to eat it off my fingers and he started eating after about a week.

Sometimes, when humans or animals decide not to eat, they're telling us something.
I would not worry about the vet pushing you to pts before you feel that's right for your much loved dog hilda. In similar circumstances, my vet was understanding and kind to my dog as well as to me.
Sending love - it's so hard when our much loved animal family are very old. I agree with everyone, hand feedings can help. I used a syringe to squirt liquid food and liquid into my old dog. Hope things are ok x

hild. I hate to say it but if she is really ancient, then you may have to face the inevitable. This is exactly what happened to my daughters lab a couple of years ago, in the end Gemma even refused fluids and my daughter understood that the time had come. Terribly traumatic, but a very kind decision.

Has she been wormed recently? Grace always goes off her food about 2 days before the reminder comes from the vet. (No sign of worms, but she goes off her food and eats grass)
I would endorse sardines, cooked chicken fillets and rice, also Lilly's kitchen tinned food in tiny amounts, if she is just getting senile and "forgetting " to eat but recognise it may be symptomatic of something worse. {{hugs}} from me.

When my elderly cat stopped eating it was her teeth. Cost hundred of pounds at vet !

My daughter has a dog who often refuses to eat. She sprinkles a bit of tinned tuna over his food and that always works

Is she constipated?.
In older dogs this can happen especially if she's on medication.
I think the main thing is that she is drinking plenty water.
And as others say hand feed

It is so hard when its our best friend but they have put their trusr in us to do the right thing by them

My old dog sometimes goes off his food and I cook fish (cheap frozen fillets from supermarket) and rice. He is now nearing 17 and find that Lillies Kitchen suits him well. He is deaf and a bit senile and a few weeks ago I took him to the vet because his back legs seemed to be weakening. As he is still going for walks and seems generally happy I was shocked when she said it was time to start thinking of putting him to sleep to avoid future distress to him and to me if he went down and couldn't get up. I totally disagreed as he still has quality in his life. To me euthenasia is the ending of a life that has become intolerable because of pain etc. You know your dog and when it is time. Angus has started a course of nutramed (prescribed) and he is so much more lively. It is completely natural and seems to be a 'tonic'.

If my Sophie gets constipated, I put some bran and a little olive oil over her dinner. What is Lilly's Kitchen, please?

She could be constipated. I haven't picked up any loose for a couple of days. I'll get an appointment at the Vet tomorrow, and take it from there.

Not loose!!! Poos.

Lilly's Kitchen is wet dog food which doesn't contain the usual irritants. It is very tasty and smells like human food (I haven't tasted it!) It is quite expensive and I have it delivered but it is the only food Angus eats with gusto. He has always been picky.

Update. My dog is NOT constipated. For her supper, she has just polished off a can of corner beef. I just don't understand her any more.

Oh ggmarion we are almost exactly in that position. Grace is 14 which is old for a greyhound and I am telling myself that it is my responsibility to intervene before she is in real pain. Last night she had 2 incidences of the back legs giving up and she couldn't stand. After a while she seemed to improve but today she looks shaky and is panting a lot. They are so prepared to go on aren't they but once you see that it is a real struggle you have to think about it (at least)
Grace has more mobility than DH () and I am not taking him to the vets (not quite yet) but he understands what is wrongand she doesn't.. I am not saying your much loved dog should be PTS bit I am getting the vet out tomorrow and will follow their advice.

It's such a sad time when the inevitable is looming and you are running out of options. The only thought you can comfort yourself with is that your beloved dog is trusting you to pick the right time so they won't suffer. It's a tough call.

So sorry for all of you with poorly, elderly dogs.

Hi,hildajenniJ , glad you are taking your dog to the vets, although she is sometimes eating she could have a problem with teeth, or it may be Dementia, 1 of my dogs has recently started meds for this , hope all goes ok with your visit tomorrow.xx