Why did your dog stop eating?

Dogs are like people too and can get sick. Sometimes dogs will eat grass to make them vomit (tummy upset.) It could be the type of food you have your dog on (they have their preference too!) or, there could be a medical reason and if your dog stops eating for more than two days then you should take your dog into the vets.

Here are a few tips:

• Don't feed your dog one large meal a day. Break that one large meal into two or three a day. Feed the dog in the morning and just before you eat your own dinner. This helps to stop stomach acids from bothering the dog's tummy lining.
• ALWAYS A CLEAN BOWL OF WATER where the dog can get at it readily.
• DO NOT KEEP YOUR DOG CHAINED UP! Dogs need exercise and fun time with their owners such as throwing a ball, their favourite toy or a good solid stick and this includes walking your dog. Dogs can get lethargic just sitting around home with little to no activity.
• Dogs love car rides, but if the weather is too hot (even mild feeling to you) DO NOT leave your dog in the car. If the weather is very cool then you can leave the dog in the car for no more than an hour and check on your dog. If you think you'll be longer do errands then leave the dog at home.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY DOG IS REALLY SICK OR JUST A FUSSY EATER?

If your dog is not eating their food then try giving them a small piece of cheese, or a small piece of meat. If they wolf it down then they are hoping for human food. Some dogs can be real moochers. If the dog takes the human food, but doesn't eat it then get your dog to the vets!

DOES & DON'TS OF FEEDING YOUR DOG HUMAN FOOD

• NEVER feed your dog off your plate while you are eating.
• It's OK to save your dog a treat, but leave a piece of meat, peas, carrots or even a little potato on your plate and then scoop it into their food dish.
• Don't use food to treat your dog for obedience training or doing tricks. Use proper dog treats to do this. Usually the best dog treats are small and meaty ones and only give them one out of your hand and tell the dog they are a good boy/girl.
• ONLY THESE HUMAN FOODS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO YOUR DOG: Small amounts of lamb (no fat!); beef, chicken SMALL bits of liver (NOTE: LIVER AND KIDNEYS ARE FILTERING ORGANS AND UNLESS THEY'RE ORGANIC OR FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW IF THE ANIMAL THESE ORGANS CAME OUT OF WERE SICK. BUY NO DOG FOOD IN TINS THAT HAS LIVER PRODUCTS IN THEM! Dogs should not be fed ham, smoked meats such as smoked salmon.

Vegetables: peas, carrots, a little potato, No rice, barley corn can

be given to your dog.

You can also make up your own dog food, although this recipe is not complete and should only be fed as a treat.

Hamburger (steamed chicken, beef, lamb can be substituted.)

Rice or Barley

Carrots

Peas

Chicken or beef broth

Brown hamburger until pink is out of it. LEAVE IN JUICES. Cook rice or barley according to package directions. Add fresh cubed carrots and some peas; add garlic to taste (you can taste it yourself).

STEAMING CHICKEN: Put chicken pieces (can peel the skin off yourself) and put in a steamer pot (if you don't have a steamer pot then use a roaster with lid and put in about 2 - 3 cups of water and small rack into the water and place chicken on rack. Cook for 1/2 hour to 40 minutes. Chicken is done when juices run clear.

DO NOT ADD GARLIC OR ONION TO A DOG'S FOOD. IT DESTROYS RED BLOOD CELLS AND CAN CAUSE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA (American Journal of Veterinary Research November 2000).