Dog won't eat, have I tried everything?
May 26, 2024 3:09 PM Subscribe
My 15 y old border collie mutt had cancer 2 years ago and her nose removed. She recovered well, but of course at this age she's slowed down. She can't see well or hear well, but her sense of smell seems okay. In the past three months she's lost interest in her dog food and more recently stopped eating without a lot of prompting & extras. (Dog tax.)
She used to eat her kibble faithfully and promptly every day - half at 8am and half at 8pm. She'd request you feed her, as if she could tell time, at those hours if you were late. But she was never a food motivated dog, training was about positive reinforcement but she was rarely interested in the treats. We were also very strict until the cancer to not give her human food. Before cancer she was on Avoderm, post cancer (and various antibiotics) we put her on Hills Science Diet prescription I/D kibble. Later we started supplementing with a few tablespoons of wet food of the same as an enticement.
Slowly she stopped eating the morning food earlier this year, so we shifted to all food in the evening. Then she wouldn't eat that food, so we started just giving her all wet food. Then that stopped about about 6 weeks. There were a few episodes of vomiting, some seizures and the complete loss of appetite. I've been working with our vet to address the known physical issues ... but we can't seem to crack getting her to eat. She drinks plenty of water.
She's gone from 31 pounds in March to 28 pounds at the vet 10 days ago.
What do you know that I don't?
Here's what we've tried which worked but now don't:
- Blue Buffalo wet dog food (various flavors)
- Peanut Butter
- Whey powder dissolved in milk, water, bone broth
- Home made bone broth/chicken broth
- Home cooked chicken (breasts and thighs)
- Cooked Carrots
- Dog Muffins (made from high fiber flour, eggs, parsley, yogurt & cheese)
- Graham Crackers
- Cheese crackers like Goldfish
- Parmesan (sprinkled on various foods)
- Provolone
- Queso Fresco
- Sour Cream
- Lunchmeat - deli slices (to hide pills) of turkey, chicken
- Bologna
- Tuna from the can (low salt in water)
- Baby food - "turkey dinner" which was turkey, barley and sweet potatoes
- Baked Salmon (worked on Monday, I'm trying again today)
- Canned pumpkin
She's on an anti-nausea drug and an appetite stimulant, but I can't even get those in her today.
She used to eat her kibble faithfully and promptly every day - half at 8am and half at 8pm. She'd request you feed her, as if she could tell time, at those hours if you were late. But she was never a food motivated dog, training was about positive reinforcement but she was rarely interested in the treats. We were also very strict until the cancer to not give her human food. Before cancer she was on Avoderm, post cancer (and various antibiotics) we put her on Hills Science Diet prescription I/D kibble. Later we started supplementing with a few tablespoons of wet food of the same as an enticement.
Slowly she stopped eating the morning food earlier this year, so we shifted to all food in the evening. Then she wouldn't eat that food, so we started just giving her all wet food. Then that stopped about about 6 weeks. There were a few episodes of vomiting, some seizures and the complete loss of appetite. I've been working with our vet to address the known physical issues ... but we can't seem to crack getting her to eat. She drinks plenty of water.
She's gone from 31 pounds in March to 28 pounds at the vet 10 days ago.
What do you know that I don't?
Here's what we've tried which worked but now don't:
- Blue Buffalo wet dog food (various flavors)
- Peanut Butter
- Whey powder dissolved in milk, water, bone broth
- Home made bone broth/chicken broth
- Home cooked chicken (breasts and thighs)
- Cooked Carrots
- Dog Muffins (made from high fiber flour, eggs, parsley, yogurt & cheese)
- Graham Crackers
- Cheese crackers like Goldfish
- Parmesan (sprinkled on various foods)
- Provolone
- Queso Fresco
- Sour Cream
- Lunchmeat - deli slices (to hide pills) of turkey, chicken
- Bologna
- Tuna from the can (low salt in water)
- Baby food - "turkey dinner" which was turkey, barley and sweet potatoes
- Baked Salmon (worked on Monday, I'm trying again today)
- Canned pumpkin
She's on an anti-nausea drug and an appetite stimulant, but I can't even get those in her today.
Two thoughts, just based on my 16yo pup...
- How are her teeth? Are they giving her pain?
- Have you tried feeding it to her by hand?
The first I ask for probably obvious reasons... the second, because my apparently-ridiculously-spoiled little dog has days/feedings where he just plain refuses to eat unless I feed it to him. He'll quite energetically try to tip his bowl and dump it out until I give in and hand-feed him.
He's also become super picky about flavors/texture. And will not eat whitefish flavor no matter what I do.
And on preview: what toodleydoodley said. (((hugs)))
posted by stormyteal at 3:22 PM on May 26 [1 favorite]
- How are her teeth? Are they giving her pain?
- Have you tried feeding it to her by hand?
The first I ask for probably obvious reasons... the second, because my apparently-ridiculously-spoiled little dog has days/feedings where he just plain refuses to eat unless I feed it to him. He'll quite energetically try to tip his bowl and dump it out until I give in and hand-feed him.
He's also become super picky about flavors/texture. And will not eat whitefish flavor no matter what I do.
And on preview: what toodleydoodley said. (((hugs)))
posted by stormyteal at 3:22 PM on May 26 [1 favorite]
Awww, what a beautiful dog. 😍
Congratulations, 12-15 years is the life expectancy of a Border Collie. She's made it to 15 despite the cancer, and I can see from this post your care and diligence as a dog owner.
If there was any remaining health issues, I think your vet would be best placed to address them...
I'm posting because my mother worked at rest homes, and sat with many, many people as they died (jobs that are so much harder and less valued by society than most jobs).
And from this experience of human death, where we can verbally confirm someone's experience, loss of appetite is a normal end of life symptom. It is not starvation, it does not cause suffering, and even appears to reduce side effects towards the end (the body is losing the ability to process food, and food can just cause nausea, diarrhoea, etc). Same with hydration.
You are a very caring owner, showing good diligence to make sure there aren't any other factors or things you can fix, and consulting your vet.
But if your dog was a human, I'd be suggesting what you've already been doing and done.
Offering very soft, wet food, that is a treat, just incase she shows interest, but expecting very, very little to be eaten even if she does show interest, and not pushing too hard or making it stressful.
This is guidelines for humans - I'm posting it not because it's the best advice for a dog, but just because your dog is a loved one, and it kind of helps to see that some of the concerns about end of life care, are somewhat universal.
https://www.vnshealth.org/patient-family-support/health-library/eating-patterns-end-of-life/
💚💚💚
posted by Elysum at 3:54 PM on May 26 [19 favorites]
Congratulations, 12-15 years is the life expectancy of a Border Collie. She's made it to 15 despite the cancer, and I can see from this post your care and diligence as a dog owner.
If there was any remaining health issues, I think your vet would be best placed to address them...
I'm posting because my mother worked at rest homes, and sat with many, many people as they died (jobs that are so much harder and less valued by society than most jobs).
And from this experience of human death, where we can verbally confirm someone's experience, loss of appetite is a normal end of life symptom. It is not starvation, it does not cause suffering, and even appears to reduce side effects towards the end (the body is losing the ability to process food, and food can just cause nausea, diarrhoea, etc). Same with hydration.
You are a very caring owner, showing good diligence to make sure there aren't any other factors or things you can fix, and consulting your vet.
But if your dog was a human, I'd be suggesting what you've already been doing and done.
Offering very soft, wet food, that is a treat, just incase she shows interest, but expecting very, very little to be eaten even if she does show interest, and not pushing too hard or making it stressful.
This is guidelines for humans - I'm posting it not because it's the best advice for a dog, but just because your dog is a loved one, and it kind of helps to see that some of the concerns about end of life care, are somewhat universal.
https://www.vnshealth.org/patient-family-support/health-library/eating-patterns-end-of-life/
💚💚💚
posted by Elysum at 3:54 PM on May 26 [19 favorites]
What do you know that I don't?
That it's time. But I do think you know that. I'm sorry.
posted by mhoye at 4:07 PM on May 26 [33 favorites]
That it's time. But I do think you know that. I'm sorry.
posted by mhoye at 4:07 PM on May 26 [33 favorites]
This was the hardest point for me with most of my dogs, because it went so slowly we kinda got frogboiled into increasingly strained acrobatics trying to get enough calories into dogs that might even be very intrigued by the offer of handmade chicken nuggets and rare meatballs but after one enthusiastic snarf would turn their head away or lay down.
My vet had a checklist:
expensive wet food then
cheap wet food then
people proteins and rice or potato then
hot dogs and then mashed hot dog then
wet cat food then
meat baby food then
it's time.
We (mammals) lose both appetite AND sense of hunger when we're dying. There's a little bit of a difference - days or weeks at best - between a dog that will give alert interest and at least try to eat to nuggets or ice cream (some sense of hunger) and one that turns away when you get close with it.
I'm so sorry. You're at that horrible point of desperately doing good day-bad day math trying to squeeze out just a few more good ones without too-too bad ones.
Something I noticed with my last few dogs over the past 5 years (and two of them in 2022) is that vets have gotten extremely reluctant to say the E word until you do, and will keep throwing treatments and advice at the problem until you bring it up. Ask your vet explicitly: is it time?
posted by Lyn Never at 4:58 PM on May 26 [21 favorites]
My vet had a checklist:
expensive wet food then
cheap wet food then
people proteins and rice or potato then
hot dogs and then mashed hot dog then
wet cat food then
meat baby food then
it's time.
We (mammals) lose both appetite AND sense of hunger when we're dying. There's a little bit of a difference - days or weeks at best - between a dog that will give alert interest and at least try to eat to nuggets or ice cream (some sense of hunger) and one that turns away when you get close with it.
I'm so sorry. You're at that horrible point of desperately doing good day-bad day math trying to squeeze out just a few more good ones without too-too bad ones.
Something I noticed with my last few dogs over the past 5 years (and two of them in 2022) is that vets have gotten extremely reluctant to say the E word until you do, and will keep throwing treatments and advice at the problem until you bring it up. Ask your vet explicitly: is it time?
posted by Lyn Never at 4:58 PM on May 26 [21 favorites]
So sorry...
Vets will charge you for everything, but sometimes it is time...
And now crying over our dogs that have hit their time. It's the worst.
She looks like the best dog.
posted by Windopaene at 5:10 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
Vets will charge you for everything, but sometimes it is time...
And now crying over our dogs that have hit their time. It's the worst.
She looks like the best dog.
posted by Windopaene at 5:10 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
She is a very, very good dog. Sending you blessings in this sad time. Yes, I agree with everyone else. You have come to the end.
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:13 PM on May 26 [6 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:13 PM on May 26 [6 favorites]
If you haven't already tried warming her food, it may be worth a try. Food smells stronger when it's warm.
She's a good dog. You're a good human. Sending good thoughts to you both.
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:15 PM on May 26 [5 favorites]
She's a good dog. You're a good human. Sending good thoughts to you both.
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:15 PM on May 26 [5 favorites]
The two foods you didn't list: baby food that's pure chicken (or beef), and eggs. Boiled, but very soft. Ideally still slightly warm.
I know you can't let go until you've tried everything, that's normal. Be brave enough to ask your vet, though, whether it's time. I listened to my vet and let my friend go, and while I regret some parts of her last day (mostly that I didn't immediately realize how she was feeling and missed precious moments with her), I never regret that I followed my vet's advice. It's like her life was a beautiful gift, and I got to wrap it and tie it up with a bow for her. I was able to do something incredibly hard, as a last testament to our bond and to show my gratitude for everything she was to me. It wasn't messy. She was loved, and there was peace, and she could play right up until the day before she died. I feel like for her last days, I am 100% certain that I was focussed on her needs. Because obviously, I would never have been able to let her go otherwise.
It's so difficult, but you can at least make sure your dog is not suffering. Check her vital signs periodically and, if possible, find a vet that will come to your house if it ends up being necessary. Monitor for signs of pain like panting , and pacing.
I really wish you didn't have to go through this. If someone is close to you, ask for a hug. If not, call someone and/or wrap yourself in a blanket hug. This is a big deal, you're worried for a family member. You should get some support right now.
posted by toucan at 5:57 PM on May 26 [13 favorites]
I know you can't let go until you've tried everything, that's normal. Be brave enough to ask your vet, though, whether it's time. I listened to my vet and let my friend go, and while I regret some parts of her last day (mostly that I didn't immediately realize how she was feeling and missed precious moments with her), I never regret that I followed my vet's advice. It's like her life was a beautiful gift, and I got to wrap it and tie it up with a bow for her. I was able to do something incredibly hard, as a last testament to our bond and to show my gratitude for everything she was to me. It wasn't messy. She was loved, and there was peace, and she could play right up until the day before she died. I feel like for her last days, I am 100% certain that I was focussed on her needs. Because obviously, I would never have been able to let her go otherwise.
It's so difficult, but you can at least make sure your dog is not suffering. Check her vital signs periodically and, if possible, find a vet that will come to your house if it ends up being necessary. Monitor for signs of pain like panting , and pacing.
I really wish you didn't have to go through this. If someone is close to you, ask for a hug. If not, call someone and/or wrap yourself in a blanket hug. This is a big deal, you're worried for a family member. You should get some support right now.
posted by toucan at 5:57 PM on May 26 [13 favorites]
She is so beautiful. Sending you both so much love 💕 id definitely try pure chicken - my sweet girl loves chicken more than anything else.
posted by bahama mama at 6:16 PM on May 26
posted by bahama mama at 6:16 PM on May 26
Such a lovely dog. I agree, try the wet cat food and baby food, and spoil her in her last days. This is hard but you are obviously a great caregiver and she is lucky to be loved so well right until the end.
posted by rpfields at 7:13 PM on May 26 [1 favorite]
posted by rpfields at 7:13 PM on May 26 [1 favorite]
You've tried all the usual and tempting ways to encourage your dear friend to keep up her strength so she can stay with you. I fear it's time to do her the last, hard kindness ... and let her go peacefully.
posted by peakcomm at 7:20 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
posted by peakcomm at 7:20 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
At the end with my dog, I had to hand-feed him. Sometimes he would eat, sometimes not. Warming it up helped, freeze-dried food toppers worked for a little while, crushed treats too, but he was just at the very end of his long life. Sending the best wishes to you and your pup ❤️
posted by Sparky Buttons at 7:44 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
posted by Sparky Buttons at 7:44 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
That is such a beautiful, darling dog.
I’m so sorry. I went through this with my precious girl last year. The end stages of her cancer were characterised by her wanting to eat nothing. Absolutely nothing. I can’t even look at hot rotisserie chickens anymore because I spent so many days crying while holding handfuls of hot, fresh chicken to her face.
I’m so, so sorry.
posted by Salamander at 10:04 PM on May 26 [3 favorites]
I’m so sorry. I went through this with my precious girl last year. The end stages of her cancer were characterised by her wanting to eat nothing. Absolutely nothing. I can’t even look at hot rotisserie chickens anymore because I spent so many days crying while holding handfuls of hot, fresh chicken to her face.
I’m so, so sorry.
posted by Salamander at 10:04 PM on May 26 [3 favorites]
We tried everything with our Good Boy when he was 14. He was a lot like yours - would tell us exactly when to eat every day until his senior years. We don’t have a magic fix, but hand feeding was the most successful for us. Even when it was just his normal kibble, he was much more likely to eat it when we sat on his cushion with him, sometimes feeding one piece at a time. Some days, he wouldn’t eat any, and some days he’d eat a whole bowl one piece at a time. We also started giving him “junk food” at the end like pupperoni. He absolutely loved “bone broth bites” from The Honest Kitchen and sometimes that was his whole dinner. Our vet told us it was more important to keep him fed than to worry too much about nutrition at that stage. We would look for new smelly treats every week that were new to him to keep his interest. I’m sorry you are going through this. Big hugs to you all!
posted by RobotNinja at 11:59 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
posted by RobotNinja at 11:59 PM on May 26 [2 favorites]
I was going to suggest ice cream, but I looked at your list and you've got sour cream. Ice cream isn't going to work if sour cream didn't work. There's not a damn thing you overlooked. It's all there between Blue Buffalo and Canned pumpkin.
You didn't forget anything that might have worked. You've tried it all.
You've tried really, really hard.
Yes, you have tried everything.
posted by Jane the Brown at 1:57 AM on May 27 [6 favorites]
You didn't forget anything that might have worked. You've tried it all.
You've tried really, really hard.
Yes, you have tried everything.
posted by Jane the Brown at 1:57 AM on May 27 [6 favorites]
You could try a transdermal appetite stimulant (which just needs to be rubbed on her ear, not ingested), but even so, I agree with those saying it looks like it's her time.
posted by ktkt at 4:46 AM on May 27
posted by ktkt at 4:46 AM on May 27
It's time, she's suffering. Google "at-home euthanasia vet". It's so much better at home.
posted by spacebologna at 7:24 AM on May 27 [6 favorites]
posted by spacebologna at 7:24 AM on May 27 [6 favorites]
She has limited time. Did the vet check her teeth and mouth for any issues? Probably. Make rice using broth and some fat. Overcook it so it's pudding-y. Maybe add ground chicken(essentially, home-made baby food). Offer it warmed in small portions and sit with her. Did your vet discuss end of life plans? I'd plan a few days of puppymoon, hanging out with her on the couch, showing love, thanking her, and unless there are addressable health issues, I think it's time. Sick animals are likely to be a bit cold, keep her warm.
She can't tell you how she feels, and she doesn't know why she can't eat. If she's not in pain, is able to go outside to to pee, and doesn't seem unhappy, it's okay to let her spend time not eating much, if at all, if she seems to enjoy laying the sun or cuddling, but I think it's not more than a couple of weeks. Our pets give us so much, and this is really hard. Please update this. I'm gonna go hug my pup.
posted by theora55 at 11:24 AM on May 27 [1 favorite]
She can't tell you how she feels, and she doesn't know why she can't eat. If she's not in pain, is able to go outside to to pee, and doesn't seem unhappy, it's okay to let her spend time not eating much, if at all, if she seems to enjoy laying the sun or cuddling, but I think it's not more than a couple of weeks. Our pets give us so much, and this is really hard. Please update this. I'm gonna go hug my pup.
posted by theora55 at 11:24 AM on May 27 [1 favorite]
if you/your vet decide it's time, I'm n-thing the at-home euthanasia thing. The one who helped our last dog out was so good I'm starting to tear up remembering it - I held her cozy-in-a-towel in my arms, my spouse held a bowl of the trashiest, smelliest, most-bad-for-you-but-who-cares-about-that treats in front of her, and she nibbled at that while she got 2 small needles her back leg and drifted off to sleep. It could not have been easier or less stressful for her. Just one last trip into the backyard.
I'm so sorry that you're going through this; toucan hit the nail on the head: this is something hard that we can do for our pets, and reach out to someone to support you.
posted by adekllny at 5:17 PM on May 27 [2 favorites]
I'm so sorry that you're going through this; toucan hit the nail on the head: this is something hard that we can do for our pets, and reach out to someone to support you.
posted by adekllny at 5:17 PM on May 27 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you everyone for your wise and sensitive words.
My vet has been having this discussion with me since the beginning of the year, as he's seen her decline.
I did try more things, tried different times of day, but even the little food I got in her was plaguing her with diarrhea all through the night. She was more incontinent. She begged a lot, but just didn't eat. I couldn't get any of the marginally helpful drugs in her, so that made it harder. In the past 48 hours she stopped drinking, was trembling or pacing at night so I knew it was time. I couldn't bear the thought of a weekend of her going into organ failure from dehydration.
I have moments where I think I made the decision too soon, and then maybe I should have let her go a month ago. I wanted to give her the best chance at recovering, if it was just a bug or something.
When there were good hours in the day, I took her for a sniff walk at the beach yesterday afternoon when she had some energy. She couldn't walk far, but I hope all the smells it gave her interesting dreams.
posted by typetive at 1:28 PM on May 31 [6 favorites]
My vet has been having this discussion with me since the beginning of the year, as he's seen her decline.
I did try more things, tried different times of day, but even the little food I got in her was plaguing her with diarrhea all through the night. She was more incontinent. She begged a lot, but just didn't eat. I couldn't get any of the marginally helpful drugs in her, so that made it harder. In the past 48 hours she stopped drinking, was trembling or pacing at night so I knew it was time. I couldn't bear the thought of a weekend of her going into organ failure from dehydration.
I have moments where I think I made the decision too soon, and then maybe I should have let her go a month ago. I wanted to give her the best chance at recovering, if it was just a bug or something.
When there were good hours in the day, I took her for a sniff walk at the beach yesterday afternoon when she had some energy. She couldn't walk far, but I hope all the smells it gave her interesting dreams.
posted by typetive at 1:28 PM on May 31 [6 favorites]
So sorry to read this... but your pup was lucky to be so well loved and cared for, right up until the end. I'm glad you got to have some nice moments together on your last day together.
posted by rpfields at 11:54 AM on June 1
posted by rpfields at 11:54 AM on June 1
I have just seen your update and I’m so sorry.
You didn’t make the decision too soon. You did great. You were kind and compassionate and you came through for her when she needed it.
Feel free to memail me if you ever want to talk. I had to have my girl put down over a year ago and it’s still raw.
posted by Salamander at 10:14 PM on June 7
You didn’t make the decision too soon. You did great. You were kind and compassionate and you came through for her when she needed it.
Feel free to memail me if you ever want to talk. I had to have my girl put down over a year ago and it’s still raw.
posted by Salamander at 10:14 PM on June 7
What a very great pet owner you are. Clearly you gave her a lovely life, and you certainly gave her a respectful ending. I hope you will meet here again one day.
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:41 PM on June 8
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:41 PM on June 8
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posted by toodleydoodley at 3:14 PM on May 26 [64 favorites]