How to entice dog to eat?

Richard · Feb 15, 2016

Little Chloe (avatar) evidently isn't feeling well. She has historically been very athletic and active. To the point that at (around) 13 years old, our vet says she still has the energy of a puppy.

Over the last couple weeks (we probably didn't see the onset of this).... she now just sits or lays there while shaking.

She's been to the vet twice now and we're currently waiting for a blood test to return (expected tomorrow)

Vet has given me pills to give her to help increase her appetite, lower any nausia as well as a pain killer.

He said something that I had never realized.... he said "Dog's don't go away to die....they go away to heal"

It then dawned on me that we have another dog that has historically attacked the weak dog and now that makes sense.

I digress.

She will drink a bit from time to time but essentially shuns virtually all food. Last time that I am 100% sure of seeing her eat was Thursday. I know she's had a nibble here & there since then but certainly nothing to keep up with her needs.

We have tried:

Moistened dog food (Pedigree)
Wet/canned dog food (Pedigree)
peanut butter
Velveeta Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Fake/bacon (Morning side brand I think?....wife is a vegetarian)
Real bacon (for me!)

Just tonight, before giving her the pain pill, she ate a couple of (very small) bites of her canned dog food. Enticed, I then tried to put her pain pill into a bit of the next stuff and she shook her head & spit it out. I'm wondering if the pain pill has a yucky taste.

She's since shunned the canned food or anything else.

Waiting for the blood test tomorrow is about to kill me. Driving me up the wall wondering if she'll slip away tonight or not.... (been feeling this tension since Saturday)

Just a week ago she was the picture of good health so we're pretty sure this is some kind of bug verses simply old age.

I know most here have an idea of what you'd try to do for your dog.....no exception here.

I'm sleeping in the basement on the couch with her in the room so I can carry her out if need be to go to the bathroom. She's been able to go in/out on her own but she stumbles a bit so I want to be with her.

This is torture.

If anyone has any thoughts on how to entice her to eat, I'd love to hear about it!

4570Man · Feb 15, 2016

If she won't eat bacon I'm not sure what you can do. Have you tried other meat? I hate to say it it, but her time may have come. My dog lost her appetite before she passed away presumably from cancer. Has she had any other symptoms? When I need to give my dog pills, I stick them in the end of a hotdog.

Howling · Feb 15, 2016

We used cheese. American slices to wrap pills. Shredded or graded cheese on food dish to start the eating.

rekees4300 · Feb 15, 2016

Richard said:
If anyone has any thoughts on how to entice her to eat, I'd love to hear about it!

Try some Spam. That's the only thing our Pug will eat to take his pills. He loves the stuff!

zzvyb6 · Feb 15, 2016

You didn't mention what pills you are giving her, BUT, if its Rimadyl or tramadol (or both), stop them immediately. These pills give the dogs a metallic taste in their mouth so nothing tastes like food. I just lost my Lab Newfie because he wasted away not wanting to eat. We tried steak, cheese, soft beefy dog food, hamburger and rice, bread, peanut butter and several other foods that are more tasty than stuff WE eat.

He would still drink and liked Ensure (vanilla) and it kept him alive for a few months. These anti-arthritus drugs are just too hard on their liver. It does relieve them of some pain but instead it kills them. A liver ensyme test failed to identify Mick's problem.

I hope you can find a cure.

4570Man · Feb 15, 2016

zzvyb6 said:
You didn't mention what pills you are giving her, BUT, if its Rimadyl or tramadol (or both), stop them immediately. These pills give the dogs a metallic taste in their mouth so nothing tastes like food. I just lost my Lab Newfie because he wasted away not wanting to eat. We tried steak, cheese, soft beefy dog food, hamburger and rice, bread, peanut butter and several other foods that are more tasty than stuff WE eat. He would still drink and liked Ensure (vanilla) and it kept him alive for a few months. These anti-arthritus drugs are just too hard on their liver. It does relieve them of some pain but instead it kills them. A liver ensyme test failed to identify Mick's problem. I hope you can find a cure.

There is no good solution in that case. If you don't give them the pills they might live longer, but in pain. If you do give them the pills it eases the pain from arthritis, but caused pain from starvation.

Lineman North Florida · Feb 15, 2016

Pour a little syrup down her, it has brung many a dog out of the kinks.

Trials · Feb 15, 2016

Skip the salty junk food, fry up some beef liver, the expensive stuff, don't cook it until it's completely dry, cut it up into small bits and offer it to her in very small portions. Hopefully she is not dehydrating. You should maybe try offering her a very small amount of milk, that contains nutrients as well as water.

Have you inspected her completely for tics? We have removed a lot of tics from our dogs in recent years.

Make sure you massage limbs and muscles to stimulate blood flow, it helps during times of inactivity.

Thoughts and hopes are with her.

Boris1 · Feb 15, 2016

zzvyb6 said:
You didn't mention what pills you are giving her, BUT, if its Rimadyl or tramadol (or both), stop them immediately. These pills give the dogs a metallic taste in their mouth so nothing tastes like food. I just lost my Lab Newfie because he wasted away not wanting to eat. We tried steak, cheese, soft beefy dog food, hamburger and rice, bread, peanut butter and several other foods that are more tasty than stuff WE eat. He would still drink and liked Ensure (vanilla) and it kept him alive for a few months. These anti-arthritus drugs are just too hard on their liver. It does relieve them of some pain but instead it kills them. A liver ensyme test failed to identify Mick's problem. I hope you can find a cure.

Dermaxx is a option to those two, my dog was on it for 5 or more years and helped a lot. Had to have blood tests periodically to verify kidney and liver functions but well worth it looking back. These were used in conjunction with glucosamine or move free. I wish you luck as I remember how hard those days were, At times I catch myself reliving them.

Matt

fxdb96 · Feb 15, 2016

Powdered parm cheese

Jimbrown · Feb 15, 2016

I am very sorry, but have had two dogs and two cats die from the same systems. It is classic kidney failure. For some reason the vets never want to admit it or tell you. The best you can do is to pet them, hold them let them know you love them and hope for the best until you know otherwise.

Richard · Feb 15, 2016

Well, I don't know what all to say.... (thanks for thoughts & well wishes)

She was at vet on Friday and then again today. They did two blood tests, one they sent out, awaiting for results and the other they did in house. The in house shows everything being in line with expectations.

There were two of them (don't know what) that "normal" was say, 3-5 and she was like 2.8 and another where normal is a "45" and she's "45.3"

Those are made up numbers, but the point is she was so close to the range, the numbers didn't bother the vet.

I realize it might be her time.

Regarding the metallic taste comment.... I don't recall the name of the pain killer (is that the Tramadol?) but she took a distinct fowl look on her face once I put the pain killer in the food. It was like she was avoiding it (perhaps she was)

Wife is on way home. I'm going to have her get another type of canned food so any association of a foul taste with this food can be mixed up a bit.

We all know these days are going to come, it doesn't make them any easier though.

Citydude · Feb 15, 2016

I'm sorry your going through this. It's one of life's trials that is never easy.

dragoneggs · Feb 15, 2016

My thoughts are with you... sounds like you are doing what you can. Lots of good comments/suggestions here. People differ on the use of pain meds but I know I would want them if I was in that situation. She might eat a little more if the meds are stopped but if she is really in decline it probably won't help. I also like the liver idea better than salty bacon. Hydration is important. I also like the milk/water mix.

MossRoad · Feb 15, 2016

If the dog won't eat, and the tests come back with everything in line, the Vet might want to check the dog with an Xray for a blockage.

SARG · Feb 15, 2016

Regarding the pills ....... my wife simply grabs our bowser by the nose ...opens his mouth and tosses the pill to the back of his throat ......... tells him to swallow while rubbing his throat.... and then follows it up with a favorite treat. She doesn't hesitate or give him options and he's learned to accept the medication.

2458n · Feb 15, 2016

When my dog finally stopped eating I would feed him what I was having. He was so trusting, that he would eat pickles. I have a older dog now and will find this hard. Our thoughts are with you.

dragoneggs · Feb 15, 2016

SARG said:
Regarding the pills ....... my wife simply grabs our bowser by the nose ...opens his mouth and tosses the pill to the back of his throat ......... tells him to swallow while rubbing his throat.... and then follows it up with a favorite treat. She doesn't hesitate or give him options and he's learned to accept the medication.

That's right! I remember now my mom did that (grabbing the lower jaw and pinching my dog's cheeks with her finger and thumb) for awhile when she was sick. Mom tried to get me to do it but I just couldn't then.

Otto Syracuse · Feb 15, 2016

The pill down the throat will work, just wait for him to lick his nose so you know they swallowed the pill.

Have you tried beef or chicken broth on the dry food? That worked with our Lab. Raw egg over the top worked too.

Good luck, hope you get a quick recovery.