My New Doodle will not eat

[Kathy Hoeke]

I have had my 9 month old Austrialian Labradoodle for 2 days. Breeder had her on Kirkland Chicken and Rice and she won't touch it. Finally gave her some chicken broth which she drank some. I know she is still nervious and misses her kennel mates.

How about a good brand of puppy chow, Kathy Hoeke

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with the others; give her some time to settle in and adjust to this huge change. She's away from her mother & littermates for the first time, and if she was shipped, that alone is very stressful. Every detail of her daily life has just radically changed, and she needs time to adjust.
And please do join us in The Food Group, for detailed info on just about every kind of "chow" there is!
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When all else fails I mix a little cooked chicken with the kibble. That always works for our puppy.

[PB]

Hi Kathy,

It must be very frustrating and a bit scary to see your pup not eat. At 9 mo. old, I think she can go a couple of days as long as she's drinking. The chicken broth was a good idea. Sometimes older pups get anxious when moving to a new home. They miss their kennel mates and the people they may have bonded with. She needs lots of TLC. I would keep her with you as much as you can so that she can bond with you. My mini labradoodle was 6 mos. old when we adopted her and she stayed by my side for 24/7. It took a few days to begin to feel safe in her new home. As far as eating goes, some may disagree, but I'd say give her whatever you can in little bits to entice her to eat again. Have you tried plane chicken in little pieces? or hamburger or turkey burger? I switched dog foods for awhile until I found one that I'm happy with. I now give both my dogs (my labradoodle is14 mos. old, and her older sister is 10 and a half) Blue Wilderness. This is high in protein, similar to the raw diets dogs sometimes get. They both like it and seem to be doing well. Blue also makes a puppy food. There are other good and tasty foods out there. Check the blogs about dog foods and see what other people do and what is convenient for you to find (you don't want to get hooked on a food that you have to travel 20 miles to buy). Just hang in there. When she's hungry, she'll eat. And give her lots of love and attention. This will all pay off in the end. These dogs are smart and loving and will bond; it just may take a little longer with older pups. Good luck.

Pauline --I just read other responses and I agree with them. Don't worry about the food. Just enjoy your pup.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes, JOIN THE FOOD GROUP!

There were days I sat on the floor with food in my hand trying to get my puppy to eat, only to have him throw up and/or get the runs. As of yesterday, Spud is almost 11 months old, eats like a Pro, and is a good pooper. I'm just so proud.

There are so many of us that have these problems. Here is my discusion from yesterday. I feel like I have finally entered the real world again.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/your-po...


The Food Group has abundance of resources. You are not alone. We ALL go in there for help.

Good Luck and Congratulations on your new Doodle ")

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Food...Group...Saved....Me! Really, it did!
Peri hated Kirkland Chicken and Rice - she came home to us eating that. She didn't eat for 2 days...I went ahead and started mixing in other food. She hasn't had a problem since...I have relied on Food Group for my decision making on my dogs diet, from kibble to treats.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree Allyson. Hurrah for the Food Group

Also, to make things really FUN check out the DOODLE COOK BOOK section of the food group. It costs us $6.00 to make a six-week supply of dog cookies. We freeze the cookies and take out what we need for the week.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/dkcookbook


They are fun to make and healthy. Spud still won't eat dogs biscuits and if he does, they came back to us--Yuck.

The oatmeal cookies are the best and we add cranberries to the ingredients.

[Leigh & Allie]

My puppy did not eat much at first either. I figured out I had to sit down with her at first. I even made a kibble trail to the food bowl. I think everything was different for her. She had a new food bowl, new house, new people etc. And she would only eat when I was in the room with her. My husband even tried to feed her and she would not eat until I got home. I have since cured her of that (I think). It took a little while but I would stay in the room with her for a minute or so and then leave. She would progressively eat more and more when I was not in the room with her. I have just had Allie for two weeks now and it does get better. Just be patient with her. BTW my puppy was on Kirkland's also and she did not like it either. I started switching her food right away. I gave her 3/4 Kirkland and 1/4 of the new food. I would wait a day or two and gradually go over to the new food. It worked for me.

[Kathie and the gang]

Hi, adding the broth is a good plan. My two dogs love that. Also throwing in some real chicken should get her to eat. It takes a few days for the comfort level to kick in. Don't change kibble until she is eating well, go over to the Food grup for some good suggestion on kibble.

[Terri]

When we got Cooper he wasn't really interested in food...everything was just so new. BUT, when I put a little plain yogurt on his food, he ate right away. I just did a tbsp or so with his regular dry. I still do this every morning. He's a creature of habit. He won't eat plain dry food in the morning. HE MUST HAVE HIS YOGURT, but in the evening, dry is perfectly fine. He gobbles it up. Its worth a shot to try...but only buy plain. The other has too much sugars.

[Kathy Hoeke]

I have still not seen her poop, but is settleing in her new home. Thanks for all your comments. Mattie and Kathy