He will only eat if I bring his bowl to him and he goes to his water bowl only sparingly, as if he doesn't know either exist. Is this due to the location change, nervousness in a new environment, or something else?
Answers:
Don't carry his bowl to him. Give him a day or two to settle and of course take him to the vet right away for a checkup. Make sure he's not running a fever and doesn't have any dental problems. Did you find out what he'd been eating. If not the vet can sell you canned food that is hard to resist, to get him eating at first, then you can reduce the canned and go to totally dry.
He probably is nervous. I crate train my dogs and feed my dogs in their crates twice a day. I don't leave food down.
Skipping food for a day or two won't hurt him. The vet can tell you if there is any physical reason for him to be off food.
Feed on a schedule and pick up the food after 15-20 minutes twice a day. Much easier to housebreak that way also.
If he's submissive then he may not want to eat in front of you. Put the food down and walk away. Feed in the same place each time. Rescued dogs love routine.
Also take him for walks so he's had exercise and will feel more hungry. Unless he is looking ill.
Google Nothing In Life is Free.he may be acting quiet now, but once he is settles Westies can become very bossy.
You're write to think that his finicky eating habits are caused by location change and nervousness in environment. Don't worry about it. He's probably just adjusting to his new home. He will eventually get used to the place and warm up to you. I would only be concerned if this behavior lasted for a long time. If you have any concerns, call your dog's vet. It's free, and convenient! Good Luck! and congrats on adopting your new dog!
Do not start anything you don't want to do for the rest of the dog's life- i.e., carrying his food to him. Dogs will eat when they are hungry. He is nervous and confused. Confine him to one room in the house with food, water, toys, and a bed, and keep him there for a week or two. He will eat. Don't cater to him, don't change his foods or offer lots of treats, don't do any of that. Put down a bowl of food and leave him be. He'll be fine.
I would think it is because of all the new things it is having to deal with.
Dogs can become very nervous at times
Just think about this poor dog!! Its family gave it away?? It has to really feel bad.
Give this poor dog lots of love and attention it will come around.
It is scared and not sure what to expect!! It will come around once it finds out it has a good home
Good Luck
First. WESTIES ARE AWSOME! They are rockin. And when I bought mine he didnt eat for several days. Now he only eats Ceaser in cans. Maybe you should contact a vet or just try waiting. Dont ever move his bowl. If he doesnt eat for several hours take HIM to the BOWL not the bowl to him. Thats what our vet suggested.
We rescue dogs in Michigan and see this often. There's several things that could cause this, first off you need to establish that you are in charge and that if he wants to eat he will have to come to his bowl.He's training you to bring him food, you must teach him that when you fill his bowl he better come and eat. You should allow him about 15 to 20 min to eat if he choose not too, pick up his bowl and don't put it back down until it's time for the next feeding, it's tough but he will eat when he get's hungry. Your correct about the other reasons, they all come into play when changing environment , food types or stress...all could effect his eating. You should also have him checked for worms..this could bother his appetite as well.
Did you change his diet or anything?? Sometimes change of environment will make them nervous or uncomfortable..
Good Luck
I believe it is due to all the things you mentioned. I wouldn't worry about it unless it goes one for more than a two or three days.
Are you feeding him the same food he was getting before? If not, you need to introduce him to the new food very slowly. Just start with the food he was eating and add some of the new each day over a week's time.
If your dog doesn't like the food, try him on another. But be carefull not to buy one of the commercial foods that have been recalled.
Get a list of all the recalled foods here: http://www.itchmo.com/
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