Hi again. Wonder if anyone can give any insights.

For the last handful of days my dog has been reluctant to eat. 13-month male GSD, approx 80#

I feed him 2x daily 6am and 6pm, plus a few small training treats here and there during the day. I feed Taste of the Wild. He has generally been a good eater. Recently (1-2 weeks ago) started transitioning to a different TotW formula-- from "Wetlands Canine" to "Pacific Salmon"-- just to give him some variety. This is the only real change lately, so I suspect this may be the problem. I was up to about 50/50 old/new food. But this morning I tried going back and giving him a full bowl of the old stuff that he was used to, and he still wouldn't eat it unless I put treats in there.

He is still eager for treats, and still hangs around when I'm in the kitchen waiting for me to drop food. So he does still seem ready to eat... just not his kibble.

This morning also noticed his stomach gurgling loudly until I finally got him to eat. I had to start by hand-feeding him a couple of mouthfulls of the food, and put a couple treats in with the food, and then he started eating finally.

He has tons of energy. Lethargy not an issue. We went out to play fetch 3x yesterday for probably 20-30 minutes each time. Then when we come in he keeps poking me with his kong toy until I take it and throw it for him.

I checked him for ticks and didn't find anything. The vet manipulated his hips lightly about 6 weeks ago and said the hips felt great, no signs of dysplasia. His stools are normal, fairly firm and normal size.

So basically the only symptoms are loss of appetite (unless coaxed) and gurgling stomach.


Is this probably just the food change? Should I go back to the old food and see if he starts eating again, or does this warrant immediate vet attention? Am I overreacting?

Any info or insights appreciated!

1. My feeling (a strong one) is this: If a dog refuses a food, believe him. Save it, wrapped up where no animal can get at it, make contact with the company, and do not feed it. After the recalls from 2003 through 2010 (and the horrors of 2006), brokenhearted posts from all the folks who urged (basically forced by giving nothing else) their dogs to eat the foods that killed them, all with the best intention in the world, taught me that beyond question. Trust the dog. JMO!

And now.... because it may have nothing at all to do with the food, and inappetence and gurgling combined (not just the sound of gas, bit also loss of appetite) can be serious symptom, aside from bloat:

2. How long has the gurgling been going on? Days? Just today?

PS

I think I'd want x-rays. I'd call the vet.

I just noticed the gurgling for the first time today. We did exercise a lot yesterday, but never less than about 2 hours after eating. In fact yesterday he didn't eat his breakfast, we played a couple times early, then I fed him around 3ish and we went out again around 6 or 7. So I don't think it would be bloat?

 Quote: chris waple

I just noticed the gurgling for the first time today. We did exercise a lot yesterday, but never less than about 2 hours after eating. In fact yesterday he didn't eat his breakfast, we played a couple times early, then I fed him around 3ish and we went out again around 6 or 7. So I don't think it would be bloat?

I don't hear bloat symptoms particularly either. (I am not a health professional).

Has he ever had stomach problems before? Lack of appetite? Never gurgling before?

Does he have the gurgling ONLY when the stomach is empty? It stopped when you fed him?

"But this morning I tried going back and giving him a full bowl of the old stuff that he was used to, and he still wouldn't eat it unless I put treats in there. .... Should I go back to the old food and see if he starts eating again ... ?"

I'm not seeing how going back to the food that he didn't want today will make a difference .... am I reading this right?



I am asking you all this because I am hoping that Dr. Betty might see this and that you will have answered all this.

No prior stomach problems, lack of appetite or gurgling. Today is the first time I've heard the gurgling sound. My wife noticed it too. It was loud. I imagine it could be from having an empty stomach since his last meal was something like 16-17 hours earlier, and the last meal before that another 16 hours or so.


You were reading me right. I tried going back to the "Wetlands Canine" formula that he'd been eating for months and months because he hadn't ever had any issues on that. That's why I was surprised when he didn't seem too interested in that either.


Goofball just spent 45 minutes chasing a ball outside and is now desperately trying to find the "little green dot" (laser pointer) that I put away 20 minutes ago. He has tons of energy. I don't get it. We'll see if he eats his dinner tonight. Otherwise 8am vet appt tomorrow. Hate to think what doggie xrays cost...

One last thought...

A couple days it crossed my mind that it's depression or boredom or something? We had something like a week straight of heavy rain and cold, so it was hard to get him outside to play. Poor guy was bored to death in here. But the last few days we've been able to get out quite a bit so I was hoping he'd cheer up and get his appetite back. No such luck, yet.

There are no symptoms except the dog won't eat? No vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy,
drinking a ton of water?
Will he eat stuff from your hand? I. E. if you are standing by the refrigerator, and you pull out a little cheese, will he eat that?

Perhaps a neighbors female is in heat. That is the only thing off hand I can think of that will make an adult male dog be completely fine in every way, but totally anorexic. Love in the air.
Some "symptoms" of this might be an increase in urine marking, sniffing the air, seeming slightly agitated, slightly more hyper, not settling down after exercise.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

There are no symptoms except the dog won't eat?

Gurgling stomach