anxiety, poor appetite

Question
Hello,

We just adopted a 13 year 8 month old standard poodle. Her previous and only owner died, the family did not want her and the neighbor took her in. This neighbor put a plea for help up on Craiglist to which we responded. I initially went to just help with cleaning her ears and ended up taking her home. This was 1-2 weeks ago.

This dog, Giselle, is quite skinny at 26 pounds. The people we got her from said she was always skinny and past vet records put her at 31 pounds. She lost about 5 pounds since her original owner died. The neighbors who took her in brought her to the vet who deemed her healthy and just prescribed Deramax for her arthritic hips. We try everything. She will rarely eat dry food, does not finish all her canned food and I have the most success with hand feeding her. I am able to get peanut butter and beef fat in her just to get calories in her. We have elevated her food dish also.

She does seem very anxious, paces a lot. If something distracts her while she is eating, that's it, she is done eating. We are thinking about bringing her to the vet to have her put on an anti-anxiety medication but I feel like that should be the last resort. Any advice before I take that step?

Answer
Hi Valerie,

She is clearly mourning the loss of her owner. I am glad you don't want to medicate her - what you are describing is no reason to medicate an otherwise healthy dog.  I can tell you have a tender heart toward her, and she is lucky to have found a home with you.

If she eats from your hand, feed her from your hand. Talk to her gently, and feed her one bit at a time. Make it a pleasant experience, quiet and bonding time. I don't know how often you are feeding her, but hand feeding her sounds like the best way to establish the connection that needs to be made.

As dogs age, they do sometimes eat less, but there is a certain amount she must have to function and stay healthy. Whatever amount the vet says, that is the amount to divide up and feed, by hand, several times a day. Tell her she's such a good girl.  Call her by name.  You can dip one of the dry food pieces in peanut butter if she likes it, as a special treat. I have used a little molasses for one of my smaller dogs - but only a teeny tiny amount and only on occasion as sugar is not good for them - but one drop can sometimes spark the appetite of a frail dog. Sometimes, if you eat right as you're going to feed her, she may want it more because she can see its something nice you like.

I'd do that, and give it time. Leave some dry food available for her. She has no idea what has happened, and is in mourning, but she should begin to connect with you in next few weeks if you are consistently gentle with her, and stay to some kind of routine with her.

Hope this helps!