Barney was at the vet last week with a flair up of his low grade pancreatitis. He has recovered well and today he is back to his cheeky self and is full of beans. I stopped his poached chicken and rice yesterday and put him back on his normally low fat food but he won't eat it from his bowl. He eats it no problems when I feed it by hand or from his rubbery spoon. Does anyone know why this has happened and what I can do to help him regain his confidence to eat from his bowl again? :-(  Many thanks.  He is a 12 and a half year old blind cocker spaniel.

Is it plastic metal or ceramic, is it wide or deep. 

If he can't see he maybe bumping himself for find it hard to gauge size and depth.

Could bending down to the bowl be uncomfortable for him? Perhaps trying raising the bowl up?

Could his i/d disc be clanking on the side of bowl and he has decided he doesn't like the sound?
Or.....
Could it be that he prefers the chicken and rice (who wouldn't) and is only eating his normal food off the spoon or hand because he is enjoying a bit of pampering?

Could be that he remembers having pain when eating that food from that bowl, try a different dish and raise it up so he can stand to eat

Try a flat plate. Old dogs can become very sound sensitive and a deep bowl may be echoing.
Besides.... he's been spoilt by his mummy and probably appreciates it....give into this foible as its a comfort to him. I know if I was blind and recovering from an illness I'd like the spoiling

Feeding from your hand is seen as a treat and part of a bonding process, it is why many dogs with poor appetites or not fancying their given food, will still feed from the hand.

It probably is nothing to do with the bowl, but the fact he does not fancy the food, well....I'd prefer chicken and rice.

Put his normal food in his bowl with maybe a poached egg on top or something with a foody smell.

Otherwise you will have to feed him from your hand until he gives in, I generally, just prop myself down in a nice comfy chair and feed in comfort, you may even get away with feeding half and then putting the rest in the bowl and he will continue himself, he may just want to feel close to you, if he still feels a little unwell.........

As long as he is eating either way, I wouldn't worry.

Thanks everyone. I think it's as Nova said he remembers having pain when eating that food from his bowl. I've now got him eating chappie from the bowl as long as I sit with him and we have a wee chat. Next week I will try mixing some naturediet with the chappie. Fingers crossed

> It probably is nothing to do with the bowl, but the fact he does not fancy the food, well....I'd prefer chicken and rice. <img alt="" title="grin" src="/images/epx.png" class="fsm fsm_grin" />

This is where I immediately went to when I read this - not the bowl, but the FOOD.   If he's enjoyed the diet you were feeding him, going back to boring old dog food could be the reason.    Was he eating from this dish before?   If so then I think you just have to get tough with him, put his food down at the normal times and when he doesn't eat, pick it up until the next time.   I know, it's hard, especially if he's not been well, but unless you want to be on the ground hand feeding him from now on, I think it needs to be done.   We use a complete food, but add a little water immediately before serving and add a small amount of tinned Butchers Tripe mix.     Chappie (tinned) has always got ours going - and we used it with reluctant feeders in for Boarding.

ps   noting his age, perhaps a bit of pandering is worth doing

I keep a tin of chappie in just in case! It saved  our Labrador  after 10 days on a drip,chicken,rice first then added chappie. Vets recommended to keep her on it permanently.  Does anyone use chappie 24/7?

I had exactly the same problem after my Yankee had an operation, had to feed her by hand to get her to eat and she still wont eat kibble, but I have found a food that she seems to love which is Wainwrights from Pets at Home . I was put on to it by a lady on one of the forums and at the moment its going great. So yes I agree its the food and the fact that eating from your hand is a bonding process that is loved .