I have a 16 month old springer spaniel/border collie called Lucy and a massive problem, she won't eat. I have tried every food on the market and for the first two days she eats it fine, but after that she won't eat it. It's getting ridiculous now. I've had many dogs in the past and have never had this problem. So I searched online and saw somewhere that dogs can go up to 3 days without food, and to leave dry food down and just let her eat when she gets hungry. That was 8 days ago and she hasn't touched it and now I'm getting really worried that she will just collapse because she just won't eat. I don't want to give her another food and just give in because then she will just do it all the time knowing I'll just give in and feed her something else. I'm tight on money at the moment and buying different food every other day is really stripping me of money. Someone help please. Thanks, Alex

8 days if she has had nothing at all is a worry, Is she on dried? You could try wetting it with a little warm water if you dont give her that usually. Or rub in a little wet food so its coated, and maybe even add warm water to make a gravy. Wet food is sometimes better if you warm it slightly in the microwave to get the aroma going and make it more enticing. Maybe if you try the same foods served in different ways, and rotate them so its something different/different flavours that will encourage. Also some dogs are weird in what they like to eat off/from. Maybe try a different medium bowl or even a shallow human plate/dish you never know. Or there is nothing to stop you putting in a few human scraps, like any left over meat or vegetables to add interest and a different smell without adding any extra costs.

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Just as an afterthought, has she always been like this? I know you mentioned its been 8 days, but if suddenly this has come on and she had a really good appetite before then maybe it would be an idea to get a vet check, If its sudden there could be a medical reason for lack of appetite.

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Second the above. I'd get her checked with the vet, then if she gets the all clear then stick to the tough love.

Try wet food, some dogs just don't like dry. But if she eats it for a few days, then stops she's basically just pushing her luck.

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I have tried adding bits of ham chicken etc, things she loves as treats but when I put it in her food she won't touch it. I took her to the vets last week and they said she had no health problems. I have tried leaving down wet food but the problem is wet food goes nasty and if the window open flies will probably land on it. Thanks for your responses. I have no more ideas on how to conquer this. I'm not sure but as I got her as a rescue dog and she was badly treated in her old home she may associate eating with being told off or hit. You never know what went on where she used to live so i don't want to be too hard on her.

My mums JRT is exactly the same way, we find she eats better after a big walk but still isnt great, so I will follow this as I have no idea sorry!

Could it be you hovering in the first couple of days to see if she eats? Then once you leave her to it she won't? our Shiba goes through phases of wanting a witness for dinner but pilchards tend to short circuit this!

Hope someone can help

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Sun Tzu, Kita and Eiko

oh golly please keep us updated on how the poor thing gets on. have you tried oats with uncooked egg through it. chicken and rice. (only going with what my friend did for hers). my friends dog had to be fed by hand when she first got it, wet food , it too was a rescue dog. didn't take too long to come away from that habbit though. i would get a second opinion if this persists. best of luck.

Have you tried Wainwrights trays from Pets at Home? Most of the dogs on here seem to love them and you can warm them in the microwave. It might be worth trying a couple of trays first...... or Naturediet from PAH. Good luck!

Don't just leave it down. Put it doen for 15 mins. If she doesnt eat it, pick it up and don't feed anything at all till next meal time.

If the vet has given her the all clear then she really is just pushing her luck. And by swapping foods, adding things etc you're teaching her by not eating, you'll jump to it and swap. Don't. Pick a decent wet (it smells better, dogs go a lot by smell), nature diet, natures harvest, wainwrights. Maybe the fish naturediet? Put some down, if she doesn't eat it, pick it up after 15 mins and feed nothing at all till next meal. Do the same again.

You now need to undo all the fussing and teach her that if she doesn't eat what you put down, she gets nothing at all.

Novak did this when he was six months, vet suggested doing the above. He missed three more meals, that was it.

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She gets treats I take it and eats those without problems? If so how many?
I know it sounds hard but denying her those treats may be the solution. Dogs like to play us as the soppy things we are and get away with it frequently. If she has no treats she will get hungry and eat. I'm also of the opinion that you should only allow a short window for feeding time to encourage her to eat when you want her to. If she doesn't eat, she goes hungry for a few hours.

I know it sounds harsh in the short term. Long term it may be better for both her and your relationship with her.

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