Hi all I know there are a lot of not eating posts at the minute but I'm a little worried because my bitch who was bred 4 weeks ago is going off her food. She will only eat a little chicken in the night time. I know that bitches go off their food when pregnant but I've never known to refuse nearly all food so early on (if preg). Does she need to see a vet? She seems fine in herself despite this.p.s got a scan friday morning.

Hi KaneFizz,

all bitches are different during pregnancy but at 4 weeks it is a bit early for her to go off her food. Maybe she is just having a bit of morning sickness and doesnt feel like eating until later in the day. You could try tempting her with things like tinned Pilchards (in tomato sauce, not brine) or fresh liver/hearts things like that. As you have her booked in for a scan at the vets it wont hurt to mention she isnt eating very well but I am sure its nothing too much to worry about if she seems well in herself? 

I've only ever had one bitch that continued to eat after 4 weeks, so to me that is perfectly normal, they've all gone on to have healthy good size litters.  Only thing mine would eat was Ox heart and not until around midnight!

Hi Kanefiz

My girl is now just about 5 weeks pregnant and she is not eating either.  Have now managed to get her to eat scrambled egg but its either that or chicken.  Spoke to vet at scan on saturday and said dont worry as long as she is eating something she will be fine and hopefully her appetite will return. x

My bitch was the same at around four weeks too. Appetite would improve after mid-day-ish sometimes much later! Then i came up with a cunning plan.... I would cook some chicken or whatever that was easy to hold between finger and thumb i.e. not too sloppy and then put it in a desert bowl, (not her normal doggy bowl) sit on the sofa or somewhere comfy and pretend to eat 'my lunch' invite my girl over for a little taste after she had thought she had seen me eat some. I'd also make plenty of encouraging noises about how good the food tasted and before i knew it she was eating what she thought was my lunch from from my bowl. It worked nearly every time. I know how hard it is to watch a normal hungry, thieving dog go off their food. I was worried silly!

> sit on the sofa or somewhere comfy and pretend to eat 'my lunch' invite my girl over for a little taste after she had thought she had seen me eat some. I'd also make plenty of encouraging noises about how good the food tasted

:-)  :-)  :-)

the things we do!!

I've stopped worrying myself sick over it. Twice I've had girls who almost starved themselves during pregnancy, and I had images of undernourished whelps, and stick thin, freshly whelped bitches.

It's never happened.  Don't know why, but all pups have been fine, along with the bitches.

If there were any burglars peering through the window at that time i think they would have done a runner, listening to me making the most foolish noises!
I'd put the chicken in her bowl 10 minutes before and she didn't want to know but as soon as i pretended to eat it, it was a different story! She only went off her food for about a week (which is a long time for her) but she suffered no ill effects what so ever and neither did her pups.
Eight weeks on after whelping and she's doing just fine (a prolific thief)!!!! :-0

Mine are like this as well. Its hard not to worry but everything always turns out OK. I have also had success with putting food on a human plate and making out its my food. If you have a dog that sits by the table and drools when you have your tea, this works particularly well. They always want what they think they can't have.

so very true rocknrose ,i have even had to feed chicken this way :-0... my girl that is hopefuly in whelp is only 2 weeks and is eating everything she can get her paw's on LOL so fingers crossed im not going to have to be worrying this time round :-) ,but early days LOL

I am hoping for the same as you whitelilly, my girl is eating for England at the mo!

My girl is now 5 weeks gone and her appetite has just returned overnight. Maybe to do with the fact that she is now looking very pregnant.  Hopefully your girl will pick up soon xx

My girl could be 16 days today she didnt eat all her food this morning! so fingers crossed its a good sign :) 1st time since shes been mated she loves her food too so will see whats shes like when i feed her later :)

> My girl could be 16 days today

God that's gone quick, bet it hasn't for you though.

it has really :) but carnt wait now till next feed time to see if she eats it all LOL got a feeling she will ;) so will be waiting for the morning to see if its just mornings she dont want to eat has much xx

I'll close this now as the OP has had the advice she asked for & the thread is now becoming more of a chat thread ;-)