Can anyone help?
I have a Golden Retreiver, Rosie. She is 14 in October and has become very fussy with her food. She will go for two or 3 days without eating. If I give her a different food she will eat it for a couple of days then stop. Until I change it again. I know she is hungry, because if I give her a sweet biscuit or a crisp etc (which I don't normally do) she will eat it and look for more. I know you are not supposed to keep changing a dogs diet, but I am at my wits end. She is getting thinner and thinner. Do I give in and pander to her needs or stand my ground and wait untill she gets really hungry and eats what I give her?

>>stand my ground and wait untill she gets really hungry and eats what I give her? <<

Yes :)

Hi,
I'm assuming she's 14 years old and not 14 months old, right? Since she's an older dog, it could be something with her teeth or health that's just not kicking in her appetite. You are kind of encouraging her fussiness by giving in. But I can completely understand it, esp. if she's dropping weight. You don't want her down to skin and bones. I've heard of senior dogs just wasting away :( Geriatric dogs do have special considerations that youngsters haven't earned ;)

I suggest talking with her regular vet and have him/her give her a complete check up. There is likely some physical reason for this change, esp. if she's always been a regular eater. 14 is a venerable age for any breed. It needs to have the respect it deserves :)

good luck,
toodles

You are, of course, right Toodles. :) I missed the age completely and just assumed as usual it was a youngster. A vet check is definately the best course of action, if the vet says nothing other than a loss of appetite through age I would give Rosie what ever she fancied, she deserves it :).

Hi Guest

If Rosie was mine I would take her straight to the vet for a check up, healthy youngsters can go without food for a couple of weeks without coming to too much harm but for an oldie a vet visit is in order

Christine

once the vet check gives you the all clear, try what i used to have to do with my boxer.

Mix a tin of sardines in oil with your dogs normal food, it takes a lot to resist that smell!!!

my boxer had to have hills science diet for colitis and hated it, but we both hated the smelly runs more, but she would eat it with the sardines, great for the coat as well.