LEA wont eat her croquets :(

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi all,

[IMG] [](http://postimg.org/image/yvwb77hsj/) [/IMG]

I've adopted a 7 month old female Labrador-Shepherd cross from a shelter. Things are otherwise not so bad, except that she is not eating her croquets (ready made, with meat etc) since the last 3-4 days - she prefers cornflakes instead.

Being a vegetarian, it will be difficult for me to bring raw meat etc into the house (too quesy even on sight, sorry). I've alrady tried bananas, apples, rice, bread, pasta and the other usual stuff recommended as 'safe' veg human food for dogs.

Also, she is very 'bity' and keeps on nibbling at our hands / clothes etc.

Thanks in advance for suggestions / advice.

2
She looks lovely.

3
if she's not eaten properly for 3-4 days then FFS get her down the VETS!!

as for nibbling, training, toys, playing

ever owned a dog before???

4
Lovely looking dog!

I really believed that dogs were Carnivores? That they need meat in their diet? Like Hyenas, Lions, Tigers, etc.

I have a German friend who is also vegetarian and fed her dogs (two labradors) on strange things - mostly raw carrots/apples (which the dogs seem to enjoy) but I got sick visiting her because the dogs were obsessed with eating each others poo! I think they really were craving some sort of "rotting" product in their diet?

Anyway, they both died recently, from some obscure disease, so visiting is no longer a problem - from the point of view of not vomiting on sight of her dogs activities.

Animals will eat what they are given if they`re hungry enough. It may not be what they actually need in their diet, and may lead to long term health problems, but they are victims of their owners fads - like prisoners.

5
I think they can be described as omnivores a bit like us humans. They will eat more or less anything but do need a certain amount of animal protein in their diet.

I don't think the OP was saying that he feeds the dog a vegetarian diet but that for him it would not be possible to give the dog fresh meat. I think the dog biscuits ( croquettes) he is feeding her would normally provide her with all the elements she needs in her diet.

I agree with bigblue2, if the dog hasn't eaten her usual food for 3/4 days take her to the vet and get her checked out. There may be some underlying cause for her lack of interest in her food.

6
Do take her to the vet for a full MOT.

It may well be that she is simply being fussy, or she might have some level of a food intolerance. It could be that she needs a different food, that the one you are currently feeding doesn't suit her - either for taste, protein source, undigestable ingredients, consistency, or (hopefully not) medical reasons. Because of the latter it is always best to first see the vet as it is easier to eliminate medical reasons off the bat and so better focus your efforts.

After 20+ years of feeding the various members of the Muttley Crew I thought I was well-schooled in canine nutrition. Enter Mr Persnickety Puddle - it took me working with the vet for about 6 months to determine if there was a behavior problem, a problem with the food, or if he was seriously ill.

(In the end, we learned that he had IBD - and that started the long search for a suitable food.)

---

So - before making any suggestions, a bit of info is needed:

What are you currently feeding your dog? Listing the ingredients and analysis might help.

How much are you feeding, and how often?

What was she eating in the Tierheim? Did they report any problems?

Second - what are her elimination habits? How often, how much, formed or loose, what color? (Your vet will need to know this.)

What are her drinking habits?

Any vomiting? And if so, what - digested food, mostly undigested food, bile liquid? And when does vomiting occur in relation to meals and exercise?

Any signs of coprophagia (poo eating) hers or that of another dog or cat?

Have you looked thoroughly at her mouth? Any signs of abrasions, swelling, tooth problems, etc?

---

I know how worrying it is when a dog stops eating. Paws crossed for your little 'un.

7
If you don't want to feed her meat, then feed her dried dog food. But please feed her proper dog food and not human food and cornflakes. If you can't bear to feed her properly, then you shouldn't have her.

8
While these things might be 'safe', as in not dangerous, for use as an occasional treat - these cannot supply the nutrition a dog needs. A growing dog - and at 7 months yours is still growing - needs canine-specific nutrition.

A resource I very much recommend is 'The Whole Dog Journal' a US-based magazine that is known especially for their articles on nutrition, for their campaigns for ethically sourced food production, and for their annual ratings of commercial dry, commercial wet, home cooked, and raw diets. A lot of good information. You can get an online subscription or get it delivered to CH. I learned so much about canine nutrition - from many different perspectives - from them.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com

A sampling of articles are available on their website for free, but a subscription is required for full access.

9
Jeeeze.. feed the dog with dog food. Unless you are very experienced then don't mess with special diets.

Put the food in bowl, put in on the floor, leave for 15 minutes and if not eaten remove it.. Repeat every 3-4 hours until dog gets hungry and eats it. Same with water.

If no food eaten after 5 days take dog to vet. If no water drunk either dig hole and insert dog.

Edit -- Biting and tasting things, yes it's how puppies explore their environment

10
Hi agree with others who have suggested dry food, you might find this suits you as it doesn't look like meat or have much of a smell. Why not try a small bag to see if your dog is interested, and if not take it to the vet.

With puppies, we have found that if they get too rough, especially with those sharp teeth, then squealing loudly usually stops them in their tracks and they begin to learn not to do it so much.

11
As for the mouthing:

While this is absolutely normal young dog behavior - young dogs explore their world with their mouths as well as their eyes, ears, and noses - you are right to be concerned as mouthing is not acceptable in our society today. Eliminating mouthing and teaching bite inhibition is very important, as what you and I and anyone who 'speaks dog' knows is play can be misconstrued as an attempt at biting by someone who does not understand canine behavior. With tragic consequences.

So, with that in mind, here is a very good article from the ASPCA on the subject:

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtu...ing-adult-dogs

All the best...

12
Schedule a vet appointment ASAP, and in the meantime try to tempt her with softer foods. A dog doesn't need to eat raw meat (neither raw meat nor meat prepared for human consumption is advisable for dogs), but it does need proper nutrition, especially if it is such a young puppy.

Your local pet store should have a large offer of soft foods, look for the ones specifically formulated for puppies. They can be in metal cans, in "bologna" format, or aluminium packed doses. Often they are more appetizing for pets because they are more fragrant as well.

Cat food will also do in a pinch, as dogs seem to love it for some reason, but it is much higher in protein content and should not be used for too long. Emergency only (like you happen to have it around and she refuses to eat anything else).

Mouthing/play biting is normal in puppies. When it happens, say a firm NO and disengage her from whatever she is biting (take whatever item away or remove yourself from her if it is you she is biting). Replace it with a toy so that she learns to distinguish what is acceptable to chew and what not - and by toy I mean something totally different from what you don't want her to chew, like don't replace a show with an old slipper because to her it will be the same. Get hard rubber toys with lots of texture (which are also good for teeth/gum cleaning).

13
Nice looking dog

Do you have her since a long time or just those 3-4 days ?

What did she eat in the shelter ? (other croquets than the one you have ?)

and as other said : go to the vet....

14
Is there any possibility you could invite a friend who is less squeamish about meat/meaty dog food over for a couple days and feed Lea together, with you progressively doing more of the feeding?

Aside from getting her to the vet as soon as possible, of course.

Raw meat feeding included in Lea's diet or not, you really need to get over the fear/disgust of handling raw meat and meaty items if you want to keep a dog and feed her in a healthy way. Sure, kibble can be fed to dogs (I wouldn't give it to cats but that's a different story which shouldn't become part of this thread), but you will need the ability to feed her different foods (whatever your vet thinks is best) if she ever falls ill or develops an allergy to the regular kibble. If the vet then says "Lea should be fed (e.g.) raw chicken for the next seven days" - what will you do if you're not able to feed her?

Please get this sorted as soon as possible, for your pup's sake.

Why would you remove water from a pet? IMO water is extremely important and should be accessible at all times.

15
She looks lovely indeed.

Lots of good advice given. Educating oneself is always good but be aware there will be conflicting advice that you will need to assess. Dogs from animal homes can sometimes have difficulties at first adjusting to new regimes and food in the new home. But check with a vet if she doesn't eat after a few days as suggested. Fresh and clean water available 24Hrs. Perhaps you want to go to a puppy training school with her to learn about how to handle such things as mouthing.

One thing with cornflakes to be aware of is that most varieties have sugar and you should never feed a dog sugar (and yes, I know, lots of people do).

My dog loves corn from the cob and cornflakes without sugar. She also eats a variety of things - for example fruit (loves apples and mangoes!); oat flakes soaked with water and tinned fish (only in natural water as some of the cheap oil they use with fish makes her sick) with grated carrot and finely chopped greens such as spinach or lettuce; yoghurt (plain); cottage cheese; bought dry biscuits (Nature's Best are her favourites), tinned food and raw meat 1 - 2 times a week, and I am a vegetarian too but my dog is not. I buy minced meat - always bio - and mix in some vegies and olive oil which keeps her coat looking good, Or gulasch. Bones and Markknochen (never cooked as they shatter easily) are also good - talk with your local butcher. I also sometimes boil up a chicken (you could use pieces without bones so you don't have to strip the chicken carcass) with vegies (carrots, spinach, lettuce, little bit of brocolli - no onion or cabbage family vegies) and when it is cold feed it to her as her meal or use the soup to soak a few oat/dinkel/rice flakes in. Lots of possibilites.

All the best and I bet you will have really lovely times with your new friend - just put your favourite boots away so she can't chew on them (yes, my girl ate bits of my favourite boots).

16
Raw meat isn't advisable for dogs? You can't be serious. I'd like to see the source for that statement.

What about wolves, foxes, jackals etc.? They don't eat kibble So why should it be inadvisable for dogs to eat raw meat?

17
Well, the raw meat we eat from the butcher is not the same as eating a fresh kill. It is already days (hopefully not more) old, even though refrigerated and all, it has plenty of time to develop whatever bacteria or parasite. You wouldn't eat uncooked chicken or pork, would you?

An animal is an animal, sure, and they can probably handle half-rotted food better than we can, but it doesn't mean that it's good for them. I don't have any linkable sources to give you, but anyway was the advice we got from the vet for our poor old dog when he went in for stomach problems.

18
Ever heard of Mett, steak tartare, sushi etc.?

http://www.bonappetit.com/trends/art...ound-the-world

I didn't know that what I was eating was half-rotten food - and surprise, surprise - I have never gotten sick from it. Even though the human digestive tract can tolerate less bacteria than a cat's or a dog's.

19
It seems the jury's out on whether raw meat is good for dogs or not but the general concensus at the moment seems to indicate that it's best not given.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/raw...fits-and-risks

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/heal...ist-warns.html

20
Of course it is, long term and normally..

But during that initial training period, establishing a routine of eat/sleep/poop everything is on a schedule, water included.

For me anyway.