struggling with eating

[ErinMC]

So I got my pup almost a week ago. I got her from a rescue. I know there is a transition peiod that can last weeks when a dog comes to a new environment. She seems to be doing amazingly well with all the changes she has made. She's finally sleeping in a crate with zero protest, still barks when I leave (still working on that one), she walks, rides in a car, plays with dogs and interacts with dogs like a champ, and we've only had one accident (my fault). The only issue is her eating. She's 13lb so doesn't eat much anghow, but in the past week she has only eaten maybe 1 cup. I tried putting water in it and she ate a few bites. She WILL work for food, but I don't want that to be the only way she is willing to eat, plus I don't always have time to do that. I've used treat toys and there is no interest yet. Any suggestions?

 

[frostfell]

if her weight is fine and her health checks out (no worms or anything) leave it alone. my 45 lb dog eats 1 cup a day, for a 13 lb baby that seems really too much.

 

[ErinMC]

She's not eating 1 cup a day. In the past week she's eaten less than a cup. I've been intending to feed her 1/3 cup twice a day.

She came to me needing to lose a teeny bit. Like I said she's only been with me a week, so I know she needs to adjust still. I just don't want her to only eat by treating her with her food.

She's 8 months old and on puppy food still, should I try transitioning her food? She's currently on diamond chicken and rice small breed puppy and she will be on Taste of the Wild Pacific stream.

 

[Maxy24]

An 8 month old small breed puppy is pretty close to being full grown. Plus TOTW is an all life stages food anyway, so I see nothing wrong with transitioning her over to that now. Keep an eye on her weight and keep offering the food twice a day for 10-15 minutes. If she's acting normally and isn't losing weight then I wouldn't be too worried. Did she go to the vet after you brought her home to make sure she's healthy?

Also be sure she's not afraid of her bowl (if it slides or tags from her collar tap it when she eats it could worry her) or uncomfortable in her eating area.

 

[ErinMC]

She did go to the vet. She had a physical, negative heartworm and negative fecal. I self-administered bordetella because I work at a dog boarding and daycare facility.

I will remove her collar/tags and see if it changes. She wasn't wearing tags at the foster home, so that could definitely play a part.

I will also start transitioning. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

You could always add a small bit of wet food as well.

 

[teacuptiger]

Have you tried adding anything, like some warm coconut oil? For some reason, dogs seem to really love that stuff.

Best of luck

 

[ErinMC]

Well after mixing some of the TOTW, she ate fine. I figured she was old enough to transition, but she has made so ,any life changes I was hesitant to do that already, but she ate. I have added fish oil before.. It was actually an additive Leo uses that's a salmon and soemthing oil... Can't remember exactly. She licked it but didn't eat her food. That should've been indicative to me that she needed to change.

But she ate a full meal this morning!