eating problem

Question
I have a 10 year old male/neutered Jack Russell Terrier. 2 1/2 days ago he started to refuse to eat his dog food. I mix 1/2 dry, indoor small bites, dry with 1/2 canned. I have not changed brands or flavors for over 2 years. His behavior and waste elimination seems to be normal. I've even walked him twice a day to observe his regularity etc. Everything seems fine. He chases the squirrels and watches for them, greets people at the door, but is a little shivery, but that is normal in the cooler weather here in the NW. He's always shivery in cooler months and often wears sweaters. He is eager to get a dog treat when offered. Sometimes he's a little spooky on our wood floors. So I tried moving his dish to carpet or another rug on the wood floor, but no go. I opened another can of food, slightly different flavor, but he has eaten any one of three flavors I but regularly, but no go. Just dry, no go. Tonight, day 3 of hunger strike, I offered him some pork roast, I know, no people food, but it has never made him not eat his dog food before. I was concerned because he hasn't eaten. The response was an eager appetite and wanting more. I then put a few pieces on top of his dog food, poked it in a little and he carefully picked out the pork, leaving the dog food carefully intact. I tried dog food with pork on a paper plate and dog dish, again, ate the pork and left the dog food. As I sit here typing, he's whining at the refrigerator like he does when he knows it's feeding time, but there is dog food on a paper plate near the fridge and in his dish in the usual spot. Both cans were bought at the same time at the same store, could something be wrong with the food? He seems to really avoid even looking at the food and shies away like he's afraid. Wierd. But with the pork, acted just fine and ravinous as usual. Does he smell something bad? The texture seemed a little mealy and wetter than usual....what do you think? Next idea...go to the store and buy something different?

Answer
Hi Jan,
Thanks for the question with details. As you probably know, most dogs will eat anything. The fact that his behavior has not changed (except for the non-eating thing) doesn't necessarily rule out medical issues, but it sure places medical concerns lower on my list! If it continues, have him checked out by your vet.

If his "waste elimination" and his "regularity" are normal, then he is getting food somewhere else. Dogs that don't eat for 3 days might continue to defecate a few times (it takes a while for the all the food to be processed) but would not usually defecate on day 3 of fasting unelss they are eating something. Plus, tthe volume and consistency should be different if he's not eating.

Is it possible that Jack is eating away from home? - maybe the cat food next door. . . .? . . . . Could Jack be getting treats from someone in your household? . . . . .  a kid in the neighborhood? . . . . . . Is Jack finding food in the yard when you are not with him? My terrier eats acorns, one after another (if I let him).

It is always possible that the food you are feeding is bad and Jack is refusing because it will make him sick- but for this to be the case Jack would have become sick previously and you would have noticied that, yes?

I would (as you suggested) try another brand of food. I would choose one that contains a different "type" of protein source (look at the first four ingredients). For example - if his current food lists chicken, switch to one that lists lamb. Try a high quality food - one that does not contain any corn products or any by-products.

Happy Training!
AT