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Old April 26th, 2018, 09:39 AM
mysherry mysherry is offline
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Dog refuses his usual foods

Hi, my almost 10 yo shi-tzu used to eat canned food and kibbles. Suddenly about 2 months ago he just refused to eat his usual canned food (was never big on kibbles). I tried another can thinking something is wrong with that particular one, and still nothing. Then I switched to other brand. He loved it until about a week ago. Now he refuses that brand too (different flavors). I got a third and forth brand, even canned cat food, and he still refuses.
On the other hand, if I give him any type of our leftovers, steak, salami (even mashed potato and polenta) he would eat it.

The dog suffers from anxiety and sometimes I see him shaking and coming and attaches himself to me (he's a very needy dog).

I'm not sure what to make of it. He can stay a whole day without touching his food, until I give in and give him our food. I feel horrible seeing him like that, and can't figure out what his problem is.

ps. no problem with his teeth. they were cleaned and some extracted a year ago.
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Old April 26th, 2018, 04:36 PM
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hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
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Does he seem to have any distress after eating? I ask because age 10 is a not uncommon age for things like inflammatory bowel syndrome to arise. It could be that the food is just not agreeing with him after a while.

Once you've ruled out something medical, would you considered a home-cooked meal plan for him? If you google 'home-cooking for dogs', you can find lots of links for how to do it to give your dog proper nutrition and lots of recipes, as well.

Home-cooked diets can be a very viable alternative to canned if done right. And since he seems to enjoy leftovers, a home-cooked diet might be just up his alley.
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Old April 26th, 2018, 04:40 PM
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Winston Winston is offline
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A couple of things come to mind. I think you need to see a vet for sure.

For the food possibly mix it up a bit. Have you tried different types (pate vs chuncky)

What concerns me though is the trembling you mentioned. I think of a couple of things like diabetes , thyroid and also pain.

Maybe check with a vet before you spend more money of food. I have had picky eaters before so it could be just that.

Best of luck
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Old April 27th, 2018, 08:09 AM
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marko marko is offline
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I agree w/the others that a vet check is best.

What I would also like to know is the dog overweight?
Is it possible that dooger is just waiting till you give up and feed the human food?
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Old April 27th, 2018, 01:09 PM
mysherry mysherry is offline
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Thanks everyone!
I start to think it's more behavioral. He ate a bit last night when I sat beside him. Even then he kept turning to see if I'm still around.
He doesn't show any discomfort and he's not overweight.

His food sits in his dish since this morning, untouched. I tried a few times to get him to eat but he refused. Now I was having some pizza and offered some to him and he took everything I gave him. He even took a piece of his own food and then just spit it out.

I'm worried the vet will run a million tests while it's more behavior. He's a rescue and always had issues but never with food, although if I leave the room while he eats, he always stops eating and follows me.

But I think I'll wait a couple of days and then take him to the vet. I also bought some meat and will cook it for him.
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