feeding problem

Question
we just adopted a puppy from a rescue home, she is believed to be a mix of German Shepard/Terrior.  She is 7 weeks old and won't eat for us.  We tried softening the food with water and then with chicken broth but she is still turning up her nose.  We have had her for less than 48 hours at home.  The rescue home used one brand but that ran out so they used something else, they told me to just buy what I would be giving her.  She had diarrhea up til yesterday (I'm sure due to the food changes), she is drinking and voiding.  The current food is nutra max, should we try another type?  How long can she go without eating?  I did give her a small biscuit that was peanut butter flavored-for puppies and she liked that but when we put down one of her puppy food pieces she walked away.

Thank you for your help

Lori

Answer
Hi Lori,

Arriving in a new home is a stressful situation for a small puppy, it's not uncommon that it would affect her appetite. Puppies as young as yours are pretty delicate, you don't want her to go on not eating and having diarrhea for long. If the diarrhea continues for more than 48 hours, she should be examined by a veterinarian. If she acts lethargic on top of having diarrhea, you shouldn't even wait the 48 hours before you have her examined!

You might try "jump starting" her into eating by offering her some scrambled eggs, grated hard boiled egg, or a meat based baby food. Try hand feeding her, just to get her going, then see if she'll eat a kibble or two of the puppy food.

I think the fact that she's willing to eat peanut butter puppy cookies shows that she probably doesn't like the Nutra Max puppy food, and is holding out for something better. For tempting a dog into eating, it's better to use something nutritional, like the eggs or baby food rather than cookies though.

Some dogs are very strong headed when it comes to their food preferences, and hold out for days until their owners accommodate them with table scraps or forever has their owner trying new dog foods in an effort to get their dog to eat. The key lesson that dogs learn amazing quickly is, that holding out works and eventually the preferred food is given, thus the dog is rewarded and the cycle continues.

Just as a matter of course because you just adopted her, you should have your puppy examined by a veterinarian. Internal parasites are a possibility, and could explain the diarrhea and not wanting to eat. Once your puppy gets a clean bill of health, you can assume that she's pegging you for a softy, who will provide her will all sorts of wonderful things to eat, other than her puppy food, when she refuses it. If that's the case, you must stick to your guns, and not give in, otherwise this will be a lifelong ingrained habit.  Stop giving your puppy between meal treats, and make sure she gets plenty of exercise which will help improve her appetite, to ensure she eats what you provide.

Best of luck,
Patti