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11 wk old EM won't eat

Karina

New Member
I have an 11 wk old male EM. We have had him for 4 weeks and in the past week he has stopped eating on his own. He won't eat unless I physically hold up his bowl of food to his mouth. We are feeding him the same food his breeder bought him. His stool is normal. He is always fed around the same times every day. He doesnt get treats yetm He sleeps and plays with our miniature schnauzer all day, doesn't seem depressed. I just don't know how to get him to eat on his own again.
 

Iymala

Well-Known Member
How hot is it there? I have had many dogs go off food and stop eating as much during the summer.

If he is otherwise healthy, and still eating but not as much. He also could be bored with his food. I've had a few Mastiffs that were picky and on top of that are like birds. I tried running the gambit and switching foods etc. I eventually found one that went over better than the other and stuck with it. A healthy dog will not starve himself. They may not eat as much as we would like them to, but in my experience a little tough love was the best course of action. Put the food down for 10 min let them eat as much as they want then pick it up. When he is hungry he will eat.
 

Karina

New Member
How hot is it there? I have had many dogs go off food and stop eating as much during the summer.

If he is otherwise healthy, and still eating but not as much. He also could be bored with his food. I've had a few Mastiffs that were picky and on top of that are like birds. I tried running the gambit and switching foods etc. I eventually found one that went over better than the other and stuck with it. A healthy dog will not starve himself. They may not eat as much as we would like them to, but in my experience a little tough love was the best course of action. Put the food down for 10 min let them eat as much as they want then pick it up. When he is hungry he will eat.


We're in Texas so it's pretty darn hot. He's an indoor dog and I try to keep it cool for him but I know his body temperature is higher than ours. I'll try that tough love thing you mentioned. I did notice he will eat his food off the floor for some reason but not his bowl...weird. I don't want him to hurt his back though by reaching so far down. Also he gets the hiccups every time he eats. Not sure if any of that means anything.
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
hiccups are normal with puppies. One thing I noticed with Kryten was that the bowl I used sometimes had an effect on how he ate. The shape and material of the bowl could be part of the problem. At one point I used a cookie sheet sitting on top of a box as a bowl.
 

Iymala

Well-Known Member
My guys prefer their bowls on the ground for some reason. We got them a comfortable raised feeder for them...stable and what not, but nope. Rather have it on the ground. Water on the other hand...raised. weird dogs.
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
I'm in Texas too and Titan has stopped eating his morning meal, he's eating one meal a day. Titan always self-regulates his food in the summer due to the heat.

He will eat when he is hungry. What food are your feeding the pup?

Limit his outside activity,i.e. playing, walking during the hot part of the day. Titan will only go out to do his business and want to come back in. Titan thinks high 70's is too hot.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
He's still a young puppy... some of them have really good self-regulation capabilities. He might feel he's just eaten 'enough'... especially as it gets hot out and he wants to move less (potentially).

I'd go for more exercise (free-form, nothing joint-stomping), and smaller portion sizes for a day or two, see if his appetite improves.

You can also see if putting water on the food to make a 'gravy', see if that makes it more interesting.
And, make sure his dish is clean, too. It might have an off-smell to it?

Leaner is better, especially for a growing puppy, so unless you start to see ribs and hip bones really poking out, like he's drastically LOSING weight, I wouldn't worry about it.
 

babyblu1998

Well-Known Member
My previous em did that when he was a pup. By any chance are your bowls stainless steel? Turns out he was scared of the reflection the stainless steel gave off. Switched to ceramic and he was good to go!


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Karina

New Member
Thanks everyone! Just a quick update my boy Beau is now eating regularly again! I guess he was just self regulating and knew exactly what was best for his body. He's growing everyday and I'm grateful to have all of your input. This is my first EM and I'm completely in love with him I just want to make sure I give him the healthiest life possible :)
 

babyblu1998

Well-Known Member
That's great! I'm glad he's eating good again!! It's always best to question and find out you didn't need te help vs needing the help and didn't ask!


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Ehl

Well-Known Member
You sound like me ... I have /cough ... whistles 5 dogs atm and my newest addition has been iffy on appetite. The reassurances of these great people helps. Also I think another key rule is pics.... lol : ) Glad to hear he is doing better.