Foster Puppy Very Finicky

[BaileysMom]

I have a foster puppy who is in my home to gain weight before she can be spade and put up for adoption. She has kennel cough, though it's not a bad case of it and she's on medication.

Here is my concern: She is really finicky with what she eats. She's very tiny (1 lb 7 oz) and has been eating very little. I'm trying to find a food that she really likes and can gain some weight from. These are the things I've tried:

She'll eat her puppy chow occasionally
She gets into my large dog's "Lite" dog food and loves it. I let her eat it since she really goes to town with it, but I would like for her to eat something with more calories since she's dangerously thin and weak.
I've tried feeding her peanut butter and I've tried wet puppy food, but she doesn't like either of those and won't touch them.
She won't eat any food I mix the liquid stuff the animal welfare vet gave me to help her gain weight.

I'm worried that she's going to stop eating all together. She hasn't had anything to eat today. She even turned down the lite dog food. She just wants to cuddle and sleep. Her waste looks healthy (she's been pooing regularly and it's solid and she regularly pees), so I'm thinking she's digesting everything okay.

Anyway, thanks for any help or advice anyone is willing to give!

 

[mamasobuco]

I just went through that with my current foster Cotter. What happens sometimes when they have kennel cough is that they get sore from coughing and they just don't want to have to chew at all. Try people baby food. Give her as much as she'll eat. This will sooth the soreness and help her gain a little. After a few days try mixing kibble in a few pieces at a time.

It was the only thing Cotter would eat for a solid week. Now he's a little chow hound.

 

[BaileysMom]

Thanks! I <i>never</i> thought of that.

I just tried giving her some milk through a serenge (spelling?) type thing they gave me for her medication. She didn't seem to like that too much... Should I do this if she won't eat the baby food? Would milk constipate her?

 

[BaileysMom]

Thanks! I <i>never</i> thought of that.

I just tried giving her some milk through a serenge (spelling?) type thing they gave me for her medication. She didn't seem to like that too much... Should I do this if she won't eat the baby food? Would milk constipate her?

lol Oops, I guess myspace html rules don't work here. I meant I "NEVER" thought of that.

 

[joce]

there are some great vitamins out there-I know for my cats it was nutrical but I'm sure there is an equivalant for dogs. with my cat I had to syringe feed her with it but I would think the dog would like the taste and eat it on its own.

And while bil jac may not be a great food I have heard it is the number 1 thing to put weight on a dog.

 

[BaileysMom]

I think I might still use the syringe (thank you for the correct spelling. ) for some heavy cream to help her gain some weight... Unless any of you know that this would be bad for her. I'm going on the assumption that dogs are used to their mother's milk, so cream shouldn't be bad. Please let me know if I'm wrong in this assumption. My main concern is constipating her with it...

The baby food worked!! I felt like crying I was so happy. I'm so attached to this puppy, I really want to see her get better, gain some weight, and find a good home. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[mamasobuco]

WoooHooo!!! I'm so glad it worked!!!

Here is Cotter (and our pup Ci-Ci). His leg is shaved because he was at the vets with pneumonia. We've had him for two months and we are going to miss him like crazy. He will be adopted this coming Sunday.

 

[BaileysMom]

Awww! He's adorable! This is Emma:

She doesn't have a skin disorder, she's hairless. They think she's Chinese Crested Mix or something. lol Poor thing.

She was so hungry before I could hear her tummy grumbling! She's stuffed now, thanks to your help.

 

[mamasobuco]

Ohhhhhh She's Cuter Than Cute!!!!!

 

[joce]

I missed the milk part-skip that and do the vitamin supplements. Dogs and most animals in genenral are only good on there mothers milk and other than that are lactose intolerant-it cna cause mroe problems.