Help! Labrador not eating his food but will eat everything else

Hi,
I have a 1 and a half year old black Labrador called Charlie. He was my parents but they had to move to Argentina so he is now living with me. For the last week he has completely gone off his dry dog food. Obviously, being a Labrador he will eat everything else offered to him, it's just his dry food. Do people think he is missing my parents so is bring attention seeking by eating it or could it be something else? Thank you for your help in advance! Katie & Charlie

 

Hi and welcome , if he wasn't eating anything at all , then I would be concerned , but if he is eating other things , I wouldn't be ! Stop treats , and keep on putting his food down, his own food ! Its hard , and he is no doubt upset by recent changes, bless him , it must be confusing for him , so pleased you took him on x

 

Welcome to the forum It's great that Charlie has found a home with you.

Sometimes dogs just decide they don't like that kind of kibble, or there is something wrong with that particular bag. Some dogs refuse the kibble if you've started offering other nicer things instead, in the hope that the food they prefer will appear (though Labradors are usually not so restrained!!).

Was this a new bag of food? If so, I'd go with the hypothesis that there might be something wrong with it. You can try another kibble or a different bag of the same kibble (buy the smallest possible bag).

How are you storing the kibble?

 

Thank you! This is what I thought but you know when you doubt yourself! X

 

It's stored in a big sealed container so it doesn't go soft. I think we might try a different kibble and see if that works. Thank you for your advice!

 

Some plastic containers are not any good for storing food. It stops it from going soft but it can still go stale. Most pet shops will let you take an opened bag back if your dog doesn't like it, so might be worth trying a few like this?

 

Welcome Kate and Charlie from me Helen, Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. So glad you were able to take Charlie in. I would go with a new bag of food too, this has happened to me I thought the food was OK but not to Hattie, a new bag solved the problem. Good luck with your new friend Charlie xx