The bones in canned fish are very soft. If he really has something (maybe skin) clinging to the sides, then something that will carry it along with it is a good bet. (Water, not so much -- a bite of mashed pumpkin or potato is more what I mean.)

You might want to get canned salmon, too, if this is his fad, for some variety.

I would not worry about canned fish bones. You can actually pick up a canned salmon "spine bone" (whatever those round ones are) and flatten it to nothing between your fingers.

true, i have done that.But i was concerned.
hmm, i will keep trying things. Maybe i can get him back on his raw.

Have you tried raw hamburger or pork? Or beef liver? Is it raw chicken that he doesn't want, or just anything raw?
If he's been on antibiotics he may want yogurt.

i have-no raw anything.
he was on antibiotics for about days, he wants food, it's just that the food he wants, he is having trouble eating in his weaker state.
And i can't wet the kibble, he won't eat it then.

If you are using kibble, what about grinding it up or at least mashing it a little and then using a bit of broth to flavor it?
Not the best thing, but it may work.

If you have any ground hamburger or anything like that, it would work and I would also get some plain live culture yogurt to give to him since he has been on antibiotics.

he doesn't want hamburger, he won't eat it. He is only eating dry kibble. If i wet it, with anything, he won't touch it.
But, crunching it makes him tired. He dropped a lot of weight, it was possible he hadnt eaten for almost 2 weeks, and for a chi, that is really bad. I tried yogurt too, turned his nose, and walked away.
normally, i would just let him struggle with the kibble, or whatever, but he needs weight on him.

Have you tried cooking the food a little bit? Make sure to take the excess grease off. Some dogs who will not start directly on raw meat, will eat cooked, then you gradually cook it less and less.

It is easier to just boil it, let it cool, skim the fat off the water and then save the water for broth. I freeze my water when I boil chicken and stuff to make into treats.

yep, cooked, half cooked, raw...
nada
sorry, i'm not trying to be difficult, he is being difficult.

Well the stubborn little cuss.....

I know grains aren't the greatest but what about some mushy oatmeal or rice? Then mixed with some broth?

I think anything to get him to eat right now is worth a shot.....

Difficult? A Chihuahua?

Is it possible his stomach is upset from the antibiotics? I think that's what happened to one of mine once, although fortunately, they were not so ill that it became a danger to lose weight.

If he'll eat kibble, dry, it's better than nothing. Sorry if I missed what kind of kibble he's eating. I would try and get the best kibble you can find. What if you didn't wet it but smashed it so it was easier to chew (so he wouldn't get tired) but not wet?

Another thing is to try Timberwolf Organics Wild and Natural; usually (not always, but usually) it comes in very tiny pieces.

Good luck Mallory, we're pulling for you guys.

p.s. Watch blood sugar with a tiny little one who's sick. I don't know if it's as big a concern for adults as puppies, but I had a family friend who owned a pet shop and they always had Karo syrup on hand for the little ones who went into shock easily from the stress. They also gave them vitamin shots...D?B? Shoot; can't remember.

Edited to say I just saw that he's eating Evo. I wouldn't bother switching from Evo to T.O. I just thought the size would be good, so why not just break up the Evo?

Edited by Jenni Williams (12/30/2007 10:06 AM)
Edit reason: re-read