Eating

by Cara
(United Kingdom)

Cara from the United Kingdom writes: I have taken in an 18 month old Golden Retriever and despite keeping her to the same routine as her previous owners she will just not eat.




Response from Golden-Retriever-Magic:

Hi Cara,

I hope you are enjoying your 18 month old Golden. Your question about eating is a very important one as adequate and quality nutrition is key to the health of your dog.

Maybe the Golden you have taken in is having an adjustment disorder of sorts--difficulty in adjusting to a new situation. She probably is a bit disoriented by the new surroundings and is trying to adjust to her new life with you.

Make sure to try to minimize any changes from the prior owners. That is, give her the same exact food, the same number of times a day, always at the same time. Sometimes it just takes a set routine and some time for your Golden to come around. Of course, try to pamper her as much as possible (hand-feeding for a few days has worked wonders for many!!).

That being said, you should be alert for signs that she is not just being finicky but is truly suffering. In this situation, she needs to go to the vet right away. Some concerning signs include, but are not limited to: if she has low energy, appears tired all the time, produces very little urine or stool, has not eaten for several days. These may indicate that a larger problem (maybe an intestinal problem or a hormonal issue such as low thyroid hormone) may be at hand. It is always a good idea to consult your vet.

Hope that helps and good luck with the new addition to your family!