Feeding my new pupy

Question
Hi,
We just got a Jack Russell Terrier yesterday.  She is so sweet and is doing well with the potty training.  She isn't eating though.  Is this because she's new to us and the house?  Will she eat when she's ready?  Whn do we worry?

Answer
Hi Monica,

Sometimes the stress of being taken away from the mother, and a new environment will cause a pup to stop eating. It is VERY important, though, that she eats because if her blood sugar levels drop too low, she will become lethargic and you might lose her.  I once had an Italian Greyhound puppy that did this and I saved her by force feeding her.  Before you try that, however, why don't you first see if she will eat from your hand?  Or perhaps you need to make it a litte more enticing.  Add to a good dry food:: a little bit (about a tablespoon) of cottage cheese,buy a jar of baby food/vanilla pudding... add a little spoonful of this (it is sweet and will keep blood sugar levels up not to mention the puppy will like the flavor),a spoonful of canned dog food, and you can even add a little scrambled egg. Add just a touch of water, not a lot to make it soupy, stir it all up and see if she will eat.  If she hasn't eaten yesterday, give her most of today to try. Put part of the mixture in the fridge and heat it up later.... be careful though not to overheat!  If by tonight, she still has not eaten, then you need to force feed.  Go to any pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for a syringe without a needle.  Tell him you are going to use it to feed a puppy so you need one with a big opening.  The pharmacist may or may not charge for this, but if they do it will be very cheap.  Mix up the food that I mentioned earlier and add just a little bit more water, let it sit so the dry food absorbs the water.  It needs to be mushy, so either mix it up in a blender or wait til it's mush and mix up really fine.  The point is, you need to be able to put this mush into the syringe and squirt it through the hole, so it must goes through.  Hold the pup's mouth open, put the syringe towards the back of the throat as far as you can and squirt it in.  You don't want to go overboard at first, about the equivalent of two tablespoons perhaps? It depends on the size of your puppy, you will have to guess at this.  Just remember, you are giving your puppy nourishment, and even though this is not a pleasant task, it will not be for forever!  Once your puppy starts getting a bit stronger, she should eat on her own! My little Italian Greyhound came around in one day.
Also, try not to leave your pup by herself until she gets used to her new home. She needs to be given lots of attention, which I am sure you are doing as they are soooo cute!
One finaly suggestion,  if she is throwing up and/or having diarrhea along with not eating, then PLEASE do not hesitate to take her to the vet.  These symptoms are much more than being depressed, and need veterinary assistance right away or you could lose the pup.  I'm not trying to scare you, I just want you to be aware and not wait too long if this is the case.
Good luck and I hope you have lots of fun with your new puppy!

God Bless,
Becky