why wont my 13 weel old puppy eat

[cuppy707]

I just got a 13 week old lab/chow mix puppy for free from my friend 4 days ago. The puppy wont eat. I tryed giving him dry food and he take a bite and walked away. Then i tryed can food and he take 2 licks and walked away. I tryed to feed him 3 times a day and he refuses to eat. He is active and runs around but wont eat. I tryed every food out there and nothing works. Please help me. The person i got him from says he is home sick and miss his brothers and sisters. How long will this go on for?

[Lori Teller, D.V.M., DABVP]

Puppies with parvo usually are not playful--they tend to be lethargic and have stools that range from soft and yellowish to dark and bloody. It is possible that your puppy could be in the very early stages, before the vomiting and diarrhea have begun. There is a very simple test for parvo that your veterinarian can run in the office to determine if your puppy has parvo. It takes less than 10 minutes to get the result. It may be worth having it done, so you'll know one way or the other. Are any of your puppy's littermates showing signs of illness? If some of them are not eating well, then there could be an infectious agent causing the problem. Whatever is going on, I think it behooves you to speak with your veterinarian tomorrow about your concerns. Good luck!

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Good afternoon cuppy and let me add my congratulations to the new member of your family!  I know you must be very concerned about his reluctance to eat.   Here are a couple of other things to try in addition to what Dr. Lori said previously:

1) Try putting some of his dry kibble in the freezer.   Some dogs like the sensation of cold and he may be inticed to eat it that way.

2) On the opposite extreme, try adding a little warm water to his kibble and see if he likes that.  Some pets are very fond of having "gravy" on their food.

3) If you try some canned food, put it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.   Warming it up like that helps release more aromas and smells that might entice him to eat.  Just make sure that there aren't any "hot spots" in the food.

Definitely find one food and stick with it.   Trying many different brands is confusing to the dog and could lead to some stomach upset.   Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation or consider using a brand like Hill's Science Diet for Puppies, Iams for Puppies, or even Nutro for Puppies.

To answer your last question, your description of him RIGHT NOW doesn't sound like a puppy with parvo, BUT....loss of appetite can be a symptom.   Watch his stool for any looseness or blood and definitely watch him for any vomiting or depression.   If he shows these signs, get back to your veterinarian ASAP.

[cuppy707]

This is cuppy707 Yes my vet said he was good. Gave him a parvo shot and his pupy shots. Didnt have worms.but wormed him any way. He is peeping and pooping normal. Very active and play full. No body feeds him.I dont give him treats and biscuts. He has refuse to eat them. I have tryed to feed him 2 times aday and he refuses to eat.He will just take one bite or a couple of licks and then walk away and lay down.I have even tryed table food and still same problem. He wont drink much water. He weights 10.11 pounds and is 13 weeks old. Half lab and chow mix. please help me. Do you think he has parvo?

[Lori Teller, D.V.M., DABVP]

Congratulations on your new puppy! Hopefully he'll be a happy member of your family for years to come! Did your veterinarian give your puppy a clean bill of health? Is he playful and energetic? Is he drinking water and urinating normally and having normal bowel movements? New puppies can take a day or two to adjust to a new household, but 4 days is rather long. Are you offering him the same foods your friend was feeding before you got him? Sometimes a sudden change in diet can upset some dogs. If he is still not eating tomorrow, I would highly recommend that you speak with your veterinarian. Make sure your puppy has been checked for intestinal parasites (such as roundworms and hookworms). If he is at all weak or lethargic, he needs to be checked ASAP. Some people also overestimate how much food a puppy needs to eat so try to quantify how much he eats at each meal. You could also try cutting back to 2 meals per day and see if that helps. If you are giving treats, cut back on those also--they could be filling up your puppy between meals. Also make sure no one else is feeding him when you're not around. Best of luck with the little guy!