Help With Problems
Sometimes puppies can be a bit difficult when it comes to eating. They can
be excited or stressed about their new home, or they may have a cold and just
don't feel motivated to eat. For the smaller breed dogs (under 5 pounds) this
is more of a problem than with the larger dogs. You can try putting some
warm water on the dry food and putting it in the microwave for a few seconds.
This will make it soft and perhaps a bit more appetizing for your puppy. Or
you can try mixing some canned food in with the dry kiblets. This may make
the food smell better. If your puppy has a cold, the dry food may not have
enough of an enticing smell to get through his stuffy nose. If you can't get
your puppy to eat dog food, try feeding him some people food. Chicken nuggets,
cold cuts, and macaroni and cheese are some things that have worked for us.
If you have a small breed puppy (under 5 pounds), and you feel like your
puppy should eat, but you have tried and you just can't get your puppy to
eat, call Pet Pros or a veterinarian immediately! Small
breed puppies must eat 2 or 3 times a day, especially if they are active.
Missing even one meal can cause hypoglycemia and could be fatal if the
puppy is not fed immediately. Hypoglycemia is a drastic drop in the puppy's
blood sugar, and is a direct result of the puppy not eating enough. Please
be aware hypoglycemia is your responsibility. It is not covered under the
Pet Pros guarantee. Click for list of Pet Pros
chosen veterinarians.
Loose stools can occur within the first few days of bringing your
puppy home. Coccidia and Giardia are common reasons for loose stools in
puppies and are normally attributed to stress. Loose stools usually clear up on
their own in a few days as your puppy gets acclimated to his new environment.
You can help by mixing some plain or vanilla yogurt, or cottage cheese in
with your puppy's food. This should help firm up the stools in just a few
feedings.
