Need some help...(pet advice)

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-02-2009, 08:22 AM

First off, I searched for the pet board and didn't see it, so I'm guessing it's been removed...however, if I just missed it and this should be posted there...pardon my faux paux!

We had an 11 year old American Bulldog (Tyson) that we had to put down becuase of cancer last weekend. It was hard, but I think we made the right decision.

However, we have a 3 year old Puggle, who was literally Tyson's dog. We got her so he would have a playmate. She followed him around, was always at his heels, etc.

Well of course, now that he is gone, she is heartbroken. All she does is lay around all day, and sits at the front door looking out (I think she is waiting for him to come home, and it's breaking my heart). Those things really aren't huge concern for me, becuase hopefully with time, her broken heart will heal.

My main concern is that she isn't eating. She is drinking, so that is good, but I can't get her to eat.

I got her to eat on Sunday, by putting sausage gravy on her food, but then realized that I really don't want to get in the habit of her expecting her food all "doctored" up with human food.

Anyone been through this and have any advice on how to get her through it? And if she continues to not eat, when do I worry? Or do I just feed her "treats" and people food to get her through....?

On another note, the kids are doing okay with it. We all miss tyson, but our little dog seems to be worse off than anyone else! Any help would be much appreciated!

**Gardengal18** · 06-02-2009, 09:19 AM

First off I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It's a hard thing to do, but in certain cases it's the right thing to do for the animal.

Our cat experienced this when I had to put our other cat to sleep. Believe it or not animals do KNOW! Bootise was just a kitten when we got her and Mr. Cat was 14 years old at that time and he treated her like she was his daughter. For 4 years she followed him everywhere, she curled up next to him at night, she ate with him and played with him. For a couple of weeks Bootsie went through what your dog is going through, but eventually though she got through it. Only if she was hungry enough she ate. As long as your dog is drinking then I wouldn't be overly concerned. It's when they don't and they get dehydrated is when you have to worry. If she doesn't start eating in a week, then I'd take her to the vet for them to run some tests to make sure it isn't anything else that may be going on.

**nodmicks** · 06-02-2009, 10:05 AM

I'm so sorry!
When I had to put my rott down 2 years ago her playmate Mikki acted just a you described for about a week. It was so sad. We just showered her with extra attention and play. Eventually she came around.

**frugalfranny** · 06-02-2009, 12:13 PM

Sooooooo very sorry for your loss. It is really hard as they are members of our family.....literally.

I say don't worry about the not eating.....not yet. If it goes on for over a week THEN I would be concerned. And as long as she is drinking that is the most important thing.

I say that because I just had to take my 'boy' in to the vet last Friday and we discussed weight. (I am concerned that they both are little guys and can not take any extra weight on their bodies) I asked him if I could just feed them ONCE a day (as they both gained over 2 lbs this last winter!)....and he ASSURED me that it was perfectly okay. And made a good point when he stated "dogs in the wild don't eat every day". On that you could say 'yeah, well, my dog is used to....blah...blah....blah'....but your dog will adjust and unless she is already 'skinny' don't worry. (and I don't see too many 'skinny' dogs in America today) She will eat when she gets hungry!!

The one thing I might do during her 'grieving time' is if you have always picked up the food after feeding time, I would maybe leave it down for her to eat whenever she wants (depending on her weight)......then keep an eye on her and see if she is eating. The other thing......if she is overweight anyway....don't encourage the eating....this is a good time to get some weight off her.

**Thevail** · 06-02-2009, 12:22 PM

Like everyone else has said, don't worry too much. People often don't eat too regularly when they are grieving either.

A little special cuddle time on the couch or floor with the lonely animal might help both of you feel better.

**fixer** · 06-02-2009, 01:00 PM

As long as she is drinking, a healthy dog can go twenty-two days without eating according to my vet. It will take time. Due to illness, we have had to doctor our dogs food in order to get her to eat. When she felt better, she went back to straight dog food. I would give her attention and over time she will be okay.

**mommy4ever** · 06-02-2009, 02:31 PM

Sorry about your loss.

It is rare that a dog will starve herself. Something to consider it taking some time to teach her a new skill/trick. Something hands on with some one. Perhaps making some mini agility course in the back yard, and have the kids to the course with her. My 8 lb shih-tzu cross can scale the ladder to the slide, it's 2 foot apart rungs. She's just a little girl. The Schnoodle(avatar) does up and down slides, through tunnels. Distract her some with learning something new. It is really cool to do, and stimulates the dog, it can help her do something that is just hers for now. You can also reward her with kibbles for jobs well done. When the schnoodle gets fussy, just about all her food is hand fed. She works for it. She loves it that way, then she goes back to eating normal again.

QM · 06-02-2009, 02:46 PM

I am talking to my friend on the phone, and she is a vet technician. Her advice is..."Any pork products (gravy, bacon, sausage, pork chops, pork bones, etc.) are toxic to dogs and can cause pancreatitis which can be fatal to dogs. If the dog is not eating for numerous days it's best to go see a vet and get the dog on some IV fluid."

**patticakes** · 06-02-2009, 06:13 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. I wouldn't worry about Puggle immediately. Dogs mourn the loss of a family member like we do -- the dog may even react if it was a person from the family as well.

Dogs, like people, take different lengths of time to bounce back. Just talk to her, they really do listen, and she will fine.

Using people food to entice her to eat is okay as long as you are mixing it with her regular dog food. As she begins to eat, you can reduce the people food portion. If you want blander food for her to eat -- use boiled hamburger, rice, eggs -- mixed together. I also add plain yogurt too during those times.

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-03-2009, 08:55 AM

Thanks everyone for the advice!

I did get her to eat last night. She ate about half the food in her bowl, so I'm thrilled with that. I think I was most worried about her change in behavior, since she is normally a huge pig and eats everything in site immediately.

She is definately grieving, she lays around all day and isn't excitable like she used to be. I think she is just getting used to not having her buddy around.

She's getting lots of extra attention, so I'm sure she will return to normal soon, or at least a new kind of normal.

We are probably going to take her into the vet, because we found out now, that she may have been exposed to parvo through my husband. He was visiting a friend, who had a new puppy, well Monday morning, the puppy died and they found out it was parvo. So my hubby, who petted and played with the puppy, may have brought it home.

So that possible exposure and the not eating, may warrant a trip to the vet, just to make sure she didn't pick it up!

**CrazyHomemaker** · 06-03-2009, 10:09 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss. We've lost two aged dogs to different things. After the first one died, the next eldest moped for about a month or two. She ate. We know she missed her older sister and gave her lots of love and extra attention. After the second one died, our (now) eldest sat around and moped for a long time. She ate, but she moped. It didn't seem to bother the youngest any. Things should get better. If you need to, doctor up the food. It is easier to wean off of food than lose another one. No pork!