Eating Issue with Mini Schnauzer

[thebabe]

We have had our "Murphey" for 6 weeks. He is 8 months old. He was eating his Iams food, (what the Breeder was feeding him) morning and evening, and now he refuses to eat it. It has been 2 days and I am very worried about him. My Husband and I are still trying to win his trust, as he is reluctant to come to us. He did attach himself to our adult daughter immediately.

[MaryAnn]

All dogs seem to go through a period of not eating....by all means check with your Vet, but when my little gal pulled a three-day hunger strike...I immediately called our Vet and had her checked out. Come to find out..there was nothing wrong. The Vet told me to put her food down for 20 minutes twice a day, and if she doesn't eat after 20 minutes...pick it up and don't feed anything until the next meal...if she still doesn't eat, do the same. They told me she will eat when she is hungry...and she did. The Vet explained to me that a dog will not starve if the food bowl is placed in front of them. Just be sure your dog is getting water throughout the day though.

The Vet's office did tell me that to get her to start eating again...I could mix a teaspoon of a/d with her kibble to "jumpstart" her eating. The only problem is ...dogs love the taste...and then you have to wean them off of it. It is not to be fed alone...must be mixed with your dog's regular food.

Also...mini's do tend to gravitate to one particular member of the family, although they love everyone.

[sue5882]

What is a/d?

[mia]

Hi, The Babe,

I don't know anything about Schnauzers, I have three Chihuahua's and a baby Yorkie. I had food problems with Eukanuba with my two long coat Chi sisters. I was so frustrated and my Vet was also so I did some research online and put them on Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice and they are so healthy and happy and no problems anymore. Now I have everyone on Blue Buffalo.

sue5882, I think a/d sounds like a Science Diet product. My Vet had my girls on I/d and it didn't do anything to help the bloody stools. I will not give Science Diet to any of my pups. I have heard to many bad things about it.

Good Luck.

Mia

[MaryAnn]

Not all Science Diet is bad. Please do not believe everything you hear. I have also heard that Blue Buffalo causes gas in some dogs, and this brand causes this , and that brand causes that.... However, tablespoon of a/d liquified mixed with your dog's food will jump start them eating again. You have to remember that it is not a food you just feed, you mix only a tad with dog food. One tuna size can lasts a long while (refrigerated of course after opening). i/d is a very bland diet you feed to your dog only when needed. Just like your doctor would recommend a bland diet to you when needed.

Science Diet ORGANIC is one of the best complete dry dog foods on the market today....my opinion, of course. My 2 year old Schnauzer has been on it basically her whole life, and is a very healthy speciman of a dog...Energectic, muscular, athletic, good teeth, smart, playful, problem-solver, oh, and I almost forgot....beautiful.

I am sorry mia that you did not have good luck with i/d with your dog, but you have to remember that all dogs are unique and individual, and what didn't work for you may work for another. If you read the ingredients on Blue Buffalo and SD Organic...they are both made with real meat and have all the ingredients for a helathy diet.