I recently adopted a 2 yr old shelte female. She was spayed 2 days ago. She is refusing to eat the dry food (purina dog chow) I gave her. She however has no trouble eating the little pieces of chicken I use to wrap her pain meds in. Because she is overweight, I suspect she has been fed table scraps and/or wet food. Do I need to feed her wet food or wait for her to eat the dry when hungry enough. She is my first dog in many many years.

I recently adopted a 2 yr old shelte female. She was spayed 2 days ago. She is refusing to eat the dry food (purina dog chow) I gave her. She however has no trouble eating the little pieces of chicken I use to wrap her pain meds in. Because she is overweight, I suspect she has been fed table scraps and/or wet food. Do I need to feed her wet food or wait for her to eat the dry when hungry enough. She is my first dog in many many years.


First, congrats on taking her in AND having her spayed. She may very well be hurting.

What has your Vet suggested that you feed her (if the Vet has). I've had dogs who would not eat dry/kibble dogfood. I had one who would it if moistened - and he had no issues with his teeth, the usual thinking.

So many irresponsible people post here about their dogs that your post is a refreshing breeze!

I would suspect that she is not eating because she is waiting for something better.

Because she is a new dog, your rules need to be set now. Just because she was spayed two days ago, doesn't mean that you're going to bend your rules any.

If you want your dog to eat dry kibbles only, than stick to the dry kibbles. When she is hungry, she will eat.

She may have been a dog that only ate canned food or table scraps. Those types of dogs take time to reset their thinking that they need to eat kibbled food only.

Also, take note that small breed dogs will not eat a lot. Owners are the ones that force them to eat more than what their bodies need.

She is also new to your home and you. She may be nervous right now with the stress of being in a shelter, being spayed than being placed into a new home.

Let her relax and chill out. She will become "normal" after about a week to two weeks. If she is still not thrilled about eating the kibbled foods, than I would start investigating in a different, higher quality food..

Dog chow is an OK food. It puts food in their bellies.. that about it. As far as nutrition goes, you can do better. I would recommend you trying a higher quality food. Rule of thumb, if you can buy it at your local grocery store or at wal-mart, than its no good. The foods I like and recommend would be Purina Pro Plan adult, Innova, Blue buffalo, Taste of the Wild, Natural Balance... there are a ton of different types of food.

But before you start changing the food, let her relax and adjust to your home and your way of life. Leave the food bowl down various times throughout the day, never allow her to free feed... Free feeding will never enforce a dog to eat a meal.. and for overweight dogs, they need to go on a diet just like us.

Enjoy your new pet! Rescue dogs can be some of the best dogs!

I certainly have nothing to add to the wonderful advice already given, just wanted to congratulate you on your new addition and Thank You for giving a rescue dog a second chance.
You are a breath of fresh air.

Thank you for adopting in my eyes you are a hero! You have given a dog a second chance at a new life.

Thank you for adopting in my eyes you are a hero! You have given a dog a second chance at a new life.


- and neutering besides! This person is a hero in a lot of ways.

I really hope you come back and post.

I have nothing to add to the wonderful advice already posted, other than begging shamelessly for pictures. :)