My dog wont eat!

[-kaffryn-]

I have a spaniel collie cross and recently she wont eat her meal, we give her dried dog food as tinned dog food doesnt agree! We usually buy the cheaper bags of food for her but she stopped eating it so we tried her on Bakers Complete and she still wont eat, she gets regular walks and doesn't seem to be sick as she is acting like normal. Just wondered if anybody could help or if we should just take her to the vets?

Thanks

[smurfchops]

My cat is like this sometimes, they just go off their food for no reason. If she shows no signs of illness, sleeping more than normal, dull eyes, etc. take her to the vet. Otherwise she might like to eat some grass, this will make her sick and is quite quite normal - if she has any tummy upset it is nature's way of helping her. Maybe she just isn't a greedy dog !

[zzxxee]

how long has she been off her food?
has she stopped eating altogether?
or will she take snacks ?

[seadogg]

Well worth a trip to the vet as there may be reasons only he can find. If its just a fad try starting her off with a little liver in the kibble. Buy her the best you can afford. We use John Burns dried dog food and they have a good advice line (free). I guess other manufacturers do also.

[madmaggot]

Bakers dog food is, IMO, the work of the devil!!

Give her a good quality food, you can mix in a tablespoon of tinned meat to make it more appetising if you want. You will find that the better foods tend to work out nearly as good value because they don't need as much because it's all good food rather than fillers/colouring/cereal, etc.

Try Harringtons food; it's a good one and great value.

[-kaffryn-]

its been for nearly 2weeks, she takes little bits but nothing too much! ill try mixing in some tinned food if that doesn't work ill try the vets. I suppose over the holiday season and having family round she got more treats than what she was used to and maybe doesnt want to go back to dog food lol. Thank you all :)

[madmaggot]

Sorry, Kaffryn I meant to say also; ensure that your dog always has water available and only feed the recommended amount for her weight. Best given as 2 or 3 meals.
If she is not picking up food from elsewhere and not eating take her to the vet for a checkup. Dogs will often eat anything they find so if she runs loose anywhere she may be finding something such as bread thrown for ducks/birds or chips/takeaway food thrown in the street. (I don't know what sort of area you live in so you know better than me if this is likely.)
I hope you will find that she is just a bit picky.

[seadogg]

Its a shame ,madmaggot that so many owners dont realise what rubbish goes into some dog foods

[-kaffryn-]

She always has been a fussy eater for a dog so hopefully it is just a little phase she is going through, I think going to the vets is maybe my best option just incase something is wrong. Thanks!

[jules77]

I wouldnt eat Bakers complete either. I do think it is worth a trip to the vets, but if she gets the all clear, reduce the food you are putting down, leave it for 10 minutes, if she doesnt eat it, take it up until the next meal, I would suggest giving her food twice a day..But I would try something different to Bakers Burns and James Wellbeloved are not expensive, and have quite a nice aroma which may tempt her. She may like some scrambled egg or pilchards/sardines mixed in with her food a few times a week, but dont let her become fussy or you will be making a rod for your own back. Been there, got the t shirt.