Hello all We have encountered a strange problem with one of our 4-year old labs, and wonder if anyone has any ideas about this one, please? We have two dogs (sisters and littermates) - they are lovely girls and have a super relationship with each other and with us. Two weeks ago, Sid, the smaller of the two spent a couple of days and nights at the vet after an operation on her kneecap. Our big girl (Betty) obviously missed her (although it didn't have any affect on her appetite, as she's rather a 'food hound'). However, since Sid's return, Betty has been acting very strangely. Although her appetite for her main meal seems unchanged and she attacks her bowl with as much vigour as ever, she is behaving very oddly around her occasional treats and the two biscuits she has for 'lunch' - whilst she will take them from your hand (as usual) she puts them on the floor and won't eat them at all. She may, after a good deal of repeating of the procedure, chew small bits out of them (and she will drool and pant), but seems reluctant to eat them, although her sister is sitting alongside chomping away cheerfully as usual. This is a novely for us (but in a bad way) as we're used to her demolishing anything remotely edible. She is obviously distressed but we can't quite work out how to put things right? Any suggestions, please?
Hi Rob. Have you checked Betty's mouth to exclude a problem maybe with teeth? Might be a dental issue where she can cope with kibble but not harder biscuits?? Jac
Hi Jac Thank you for your reply. Good point! We've now had a look in Betty's mouth and can't see anything amiss, although must confess we hadn't thought of this. We'll keep an eye on her over the next few days to see whether her reluctance to eat is connected to larger, harder biscuits, as that would make very good sense. Thank you again. Rob
Hi Rob, I have litter mates, both of whom have their quirks, but when at home, one (the boy, Shadow) is a ridiculous, cuddly bruiser and the other (girl, Willow), is very sensitive. They go through periods of Willow being more tentative around Shadow when there is food around. Not due to any problems, or bad body language on Shadow's part (honestly, he's oblivious), but because Willow gets upset by something. She's very delicate in general, and it seems that any disruption to her regular routine can make her more sensitive around food with her brother. It's like she's projecting her anxiety, thinking he might have a go at her because that's how she's feeling at the time. So, maybe Betty has just been put out of sorts by Sid's absence, and she needs some time to settle back into her routine.
Hi there snowbunny Thank you - that's very interesting! Betty loves Sid very much and they are never so comfortable as when in each other's company. Despite being the bounciest, most sociable and gentlest of dogs, she is quite highly strung and reacts strongly to change. We had assumed that her world would be put to rights on Sid's return from the vets (now almost a fortnight ago) but you may be right in that she needs more time. So glad to know that we aren't alone with this sort of issue! Thank you again. Rob
