Dog stressed by move, won't eat kibble. How to get her to eat?

Your dog should be eating dog food regularly. Homemade diets rarely have the correct amount of nutrients that our pets need and this can lead to medical problems in the long run. I would recommend trying to find a diet that is made from pork. There are several companies that specialize in making limited ingredient diets. You can also try other novel proteins like rabbit, venison, or kangaroo based dog foods.

Some dogs tend to be picky eaters and learn to wait to eat until tastier food is offered. I'd recommend seeing a veterinarian to rule out a medical problem that could be causing a decrease in appetite and make sure he is maintaining his weight. If everything checks out, it is okay to offer food and wait a day or even two - he'll eat when he's hungry!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Fifi. Her appetite may be decreased due to all of the life changes she has experienced recently. Everything you described can be stressful for a dog. I would continue to offer the canned dog food if that is what she currently prefers. It will be nutritionally balanced for her. Once she is eating normally again, you can begin to offer kibble and she should eat it. If she is vomiting, has diarrhea or other signs of illness, then she will need to see her veterinarian. In this case, her lack of appetite is likely related to an underlying disease. I hope this information helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry you are so frustrated. If Chewbacca is still active and drinking and not having vomiting or diarrhea, I would give him more time. Movin can be stressful and it isn't necessary for dogs to eat every day. I know you want him to eat but he may need to acclimate to the new place before he decides to eat. If he is acting ill, I recommend taking him to a vet to make sure nothing else is going on. I would also visit PetCo for Adaptil, a pheromone to help calm pets in stressful situtation. Talk to your vet about other behavior supplements like Composure or Zylkene. I hope this helps. Try to relax about the appetite. He knows you are stressed. He will eat when he's hungry as long as he's healthy. Good luck and kisses to Chewbacca!

Hi there. Yes, stress could be the cause of Bear's eating behavior. I would try feeding him away from the other dog, somewhere where he doesn't feel challenged because this could be an issue. You can also try high calorie food like Royal Canin GI high energy to help make sure he's getting plenty of calories. There is also the canine phermone collar called DAP which can help settle their nerves and this may be worth a try. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Sounds like its been a very stressful situation for Dalila. It may take some time for her to get used to her new surroundings. At home, you can try things such as a pheromone diffusing collar/plug in to help her calm down some, or even play a soothing talk radio or TV show when you are away. Distraction through extra play sessions, puzzle and chew toys, etc may also help her cope with the change. If the anxiety continues, or worsens, talking with your vet or a local veterinary behaviorist is best as they may be able to suggest additional training tips or even provide a medication to help reduce her anxiety while she adjusts.

I'm glad to hear that Bentley is still playful and acting normally, even though he hasn't been eating and drinking normally. It is possible that both the stress of leaving his sister and your family, as well as moving to a new home may be contributing to his change in appetite. You can try tempting him to eat with a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice for a few days (1.5 cups per day, divided into smaller meals). After a few days, transition to his normal dog food by mixing the two foods together over another 5-7 days. It may also be worth looking into calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Adaptil is one example - https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids/adaptil-adjustable-calming-dog-collar) to try to help Bentley's stress level. If he still refuses to eat in a few days, it is worth a trip to the vet to assure that there aren't bigger medical problems occurring. I hope this helps and that all goes well!