Hunger strike

Suzanne H · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject: Hunger strike

Anyone else have a dog that refuses to eat breakfast if mum or dad are away for the night - either together or separate and doesn't matter which one.

Otto does this, and also the first morning in a new place if we're on holiday. Stress I think. He's not a greedy dog at the best of times ie he stops if he's full.

It's not that concerning as he seems to be ok at teatime- he won't starve himself, even if that person isn't back. Probably because his breakfast gets lifted - eat or go hungry is my motto.

I don't know that there is much to prevent it - he is fine when left alone, just goes in his crate and sleeps. So it's not separation anxiety.

I just think it's when his routine is screwed up ie he has a set routine most mornings which rarely changes. Tea time is a bit more fluid, so he's less likely to be stressed by someone not being there.

Any thoughts.

geri carroll · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

Buddy will only eat out of his bowl
when he stayed with friends I forgot to leave his bowl. he would not eat out of a different/strange bowl. in the end my friends had to hand feed him-fortunately dried food -not organ meat and tripe...yuk

Jack · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

Sorry Suzanne, all of mine have hearty appetites.

Sometimes of a weekend Ella doesn't like her brekkie after her lie in but as I do allow "grazing" (if only Rosie would leave it alone long enough to be called that Rolling Eyes

) then I don't worry about her - I know sooner or later she'll eat. You're right about the routine - Ella is like me, she can't eat first thing most mornings she has to be up and about for about an hour before she's really interested. If Otto is a sensitive soul then chances are it's because his schedule has been disrupted and he's just trying to settle himself before eating...perhaps try feeding him a tad later so his tum is more settled first? Confused

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kirsty · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject:

sorry not had this experience. probably cause i have two and their is fierce competition.
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tricia · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

Same in this house... with 3 mouths.. you eat or someone else dose..
In saying that when we were away for the weekend and Lucy was staying with friends she went off her food the first day....
Not sure if it was me that she missed or her doggy pals Smile

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Suzanne H · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:33 am Post subject:

He is very sensitive - not in a nervous way ie he's not jumpy...I think it's just his routine is out and he's a bit stressed that someone is missing. Though, he never seems to mind if they're not there at tea-time.

If one of us is away or we're in a new environment for him, he is sometimes sick and eating grass - he did this when we went to Oban recently.

Sometimes he eats it later in the morning, sometimes not. he never goes a full day without eating though, even if someone is away for a few days. Just seems to be the mornings. I try not to make too much of a deal of it.

Joe · Site Addict Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 630

Hi suzanne

since we enforced the 10 minute rule Ben is like a 100 mtre sprinter

on your marks
get set
gone.

He even worse this week as we have introduced raw food to him
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graceb · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject:

Hi Suzanne,

My Sisters Dobe was like this for a while He would not eat unless she was in the room, so when she was out working he would just leave his breakfast untill she came home! Don't think hes like that now though. Laughing

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Suzanne H · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 5:23 pm Post subject:

Jack · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

Some dogs just HATE their routine being messed with don't they? Laughing

He looks fab to me Suzanne so I wouldn't worry (not that you are Wink

) I know my Ella's little quirks now so I don't even bother trying to feed her if she's not ready for it Smile

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shirley c · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject:

Nope, but then I have a Pixel Laughing

seriously, I think having more than one then they learn its gone if they dont eat it quick enough. Moya goes off her food from time to time, but like you I dont worry too much, she soon gets back to normal after a few days or so
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Jack · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject:

And what an adorable little girl she is Shirley - LOVE her eyes (as you know) - WHO could possibly resist them, apart from maybe John when he's in butch training mode?! Very Happy

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