We just adopted a new puppy yesterday - mixed breed, 8 weeks old. The first day she wouldn't eat or drink at all and just slept all day. Today she's been much more active and has been drinking water, but she just won't eat. We've been trying puppy food softened in milk, in water, with egg and/or rice added - you name it. We've also tried plain cottage cheese but she's just not interested. If I force any into her mouth she just spits it out again. We managed to get her to eat about 10 pieces of softened food 3 times today, but that can't possibly be enough for her. She also had serious diarrhoea yesterday, but hasn't passed any stools today. Is she just adjusting to her new home or should I be worried?

Derah

Sounds as if you are fussing a bit with her, don't, did you get her from a breeder or a rescue kennel, did they not give you any food that they were using for her? Most breeders give enough food for at least a week (I do). I've not met a dog yet that doesnt like a bit of boiled chicken with boiled rice, dont give a huge amount just a little. Put it down to her and walk away, if she has not eaten it within 15mins, take it away, keep it fresh i.e. in the fridge if not eaten, next meal put it down again. I can assure you she will eat when she is ready and hungry, she is in a very strange place,and is away from her mum and brothers and sisters and will be missing them. I dont know how far you travelled to get her. If "the runs" have not dried up by tomorrow evening I would get her to the vet for a check over, she will be needing her first jag anyway. Another tip dont give cows milk to a puppy this will upset her tummy and give her the runs, my pups just get water, always have a fresh bowl with some water in it for her. If you need anymore advice just keep posting and we will all try and help you. At 8 weeks, you dont need to soften the food they are quite able to eat most types of food.

We had problems with our JRT when we first got him, he wouldn't eat or drink for the first few days. Eventually he ate some plain cooked chicken and drank tea (hence he got the name "Tetley") and from then on it was plain sailing! He now eats anything! :)

heheh, dogs an food!

Only dog i have NOT had problems with is my pup Dill. With dogs, if you fuss, then they will!
Decide what you are feeding, and stick with it, unless it really does make them ill, ie, liquid poop all the time.

Dill i had from 6 weeks, and he has never fussed about anything, eats completely raw diet, the only prob with him is he eats EVERYTHING in sight!

Good luck with it, dont worry too much about it, the pup will settle down soon.

Em

Thanks for your advice everyone. I'm just worried cos it's been 48 hours and she just isn't interested in food. Her runs have dried up.. she made a "normal" one this morning, so that's a relief. We got her from a rescue organisation... like a private SPCA (I'm in Israel and there's no state SPCA here). Her mother is a stray that's still out loose - only the puppies were rescued - and she was the only one from her litter left. She wasn't getting any one specific kind of food cos this organisation just feeds whatever they get as donations. It was raw sausages and meat (I guess from a butcher or something) the day we were there, plus a bowl of adult dog food soaked in water.

Anyway, it's now the morning of day 3 and she's still not eating, but seems to have even more energy. I'm going to try some boiled chicken later on (when the kibbutz dining room opens for lunch - I'm a vegetarian and wouldn't have the first clue about how to cook chicken!!). I've put the mushy stuff back in the fridge, and will add the chicken to it later and try again. In the meantime I've put some dry food out in case she decides she wants some. The problem is keeping her big brother (my 4 year old little black mixed breed) out of her food!! He seems to prefer it to his. I'll keep you posted...

Derah

OK, she ate some dry food all on her own. Even figured out how to eat from the bowl!! Then I gave George (the adult dog) a treat cos he was being so good while the puppy ate the food he's not allowed to have, and she smelled this treat and went wild!! She tried to grab it from George's mouth (yes, she seems to have very little regard for her own life!!), so I gave them both treats. So she's got some food in her now, and I'm feeling much better!

Derah

Hi, Pleased to hear she is "eating a lot better now" it does take time of them to settle into new homes, especially under the circumstances that you got her from, poor wee thing,at least she is in a good home now, good luck with her. Irene- Westyholm Westies

I found that when i got my pup a few weeks ago she would not eat and i was doing the same as you giving her a bit in my hand, and the after 3 days i decided not to soak the food but to give it her dry and we have never looked back since she loves it and her bowl is empyd at every feed :-)