QuestionAnn, you are the answer to a prayer! My Finn is an Irish Border Collie. He is 1 year and 4 months old. We've been struggling to find a food he will eat. He is super active and we accommodate that with at sessions in the park playing ball. He was never a great eater but I'm really starting to get worried. His energy level hasn't dropped, but there are times he won't eat all day. He typically poops twice in the morning. The first is generally solid but the second is always very loose. We've tried Purina One, Purina Dog Chow, Solid Gold, BilJack and Nature's Choice dog food. BilJack is the only one he'd eat and now he doesn't seem to want that. Whenever we'd try a change we'd introduce it gradually. Our vet thinks Finn is healthy and we take him for regular checkups and vaccinations. Yesterday he recommended we try NutraPro. Everyone has a different idea. I love my Finn and I want to do what's best for him. I don't want to see him hungry or make him eat something he doesn't like because he's starving. Please help!! I appreciate your time.
Mary Lou Griffin
AnswerHello Mary Lou,
Although I am not a vet and I can't explain his dislike for food, I would try adding a little bit of gravy on top to see if that would work. Use just enough to get his taste buds working. Don't overload his food with it or he will have loose stool all the time.
When your dog is not active, he may not feel the need to eat. But I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you see signs of weakness or other symptoms. Dogs will eat when they are hungry, typically. Make sure he is well hydrated too by bringing a squirt bottle of water to squirt in his mouth while playing so he doesn't overheat.
Let me know if the gravy trick works. I have used it on my dogs several times but not because they weren't eating. It was just a treat and, of course, they loved it.
Thank you for your question.
Ann Jordan
Border Collie Coach
