Our Basset is 13 months old, we've had her since 8 weeks of age.

She's always been a healthy eater, but in the last week, she's begun to exhibit strange eating habits. She will approach the dish, then walk away and act "annoyed". Eventually, she'll go to eat, but acts like its labored, taking one nugget at a time and eating much slower than normal.

She's been on the same brand food her entire life and stopped puppy chow around 2-3 months ago.
She gets a controlled amount due to a Basset's body structure/weight issues. (2 meals a day, occasional treats)
She's not acting physically ill (no vomit or stool changes)
Her drinking habits are the same
Her energy level is unchanged
She's fed at the same time as the other dog, but they have their own food dishes a few feet apart.

Our older dog (Beagle/Aussie mix) is almost 5. They are the best of friends and rough house/play tug daily. We checked her mouth for sores, thinking she was uncomfortable, but haven't noticed any changes. We tried moistening her food with water, again, no change so we stopped, afraid it would give her loose stools.

Any ideas?

Sometimes I suspect its just another game this stubborn girl has learned to bait and mock the older dog--who wants that ignored food! :rolleyes:

Any ideas?

Sometimes I suspect its just another game this stubborn girl has learned to bait and mock the older dog--who wants that ignored food! :rolleyes:

Yes, your little basset has her own agenda here; you are probably right. There is nothing wrong with her but boredom and she has just thought of way to relieve it ;)

Tick

yes, your little basset has her own agenda here; you are probably right. There is nothing wrong with her but boredom and she has just thought of way to relieve it ;)

tick

I hope this is the case, but I'll continue to watch her. ;)

Thanks! I thought the idea sounded crazy... but crazy would suit Libby as a middle name. She's a silly little something!

Welcome to the 12 month hunger strike.

A lot of dogs will become finicky and don't want to eat around 1 year of age, I have just been through it with one of mine, he wsa skin and bones for a while there and he has only just started putting weight back on at 18 months of age.

You can try adding to his food (sardines, gravy etc) but don't be too fussy he will eat again properly when he's ready.

Welcome to the 12 month hunger strike.

A lot of dogs will become finicky and don't want to eat around 1 year of age, I have just been through it with one of mine, he wsa skin and bones for a while there and he has only just started putting weight back on at 18 months of age.

You can try adding to his food (sardines, gravy etc) but don't be too fussy he will eat again properly when he's ready.

I had never heard of that!

Funny, it did start just days after her 1st birthday. Lol
She did it just long enough to make me worry... now it seems she's moved on to bigger and better kinds of "trouble." Those bassets really are a funny breed! :D

Those bassets really are a funny breed! :D

Bassets may not look like they are up too much, but actually are quite intelligent and get bored easily (they do a wonderful job of looking like they having nothing to do) but that mind is going all the time. Great personality, wonderful friend to everyone in the family but attached to just one they will love forever.

Tick

I've heard they are quite quirky little dogs, they are rather lazy most of the time but when they are in the mood to play they can be quite a handful.

Some games that might be entertaining for him (and you) would be to get a sandbox or something similar and hide treats in it for him to sniff out... it will keep him busy and make good use of that powerful nose.

My basset (4 years old) still goes through this every once in a while. It seems it's just part of the basset temperament.

What everyone has said is true!

She's lazy so much of the time, but when she's ready to play, there is no stopping her and the whole house better move out of her way! Lol :D

A week later and she's already past her "food game" so I'm sure it was just to mess with our minds and cure her own boredom. Silly girl!

I will find new ways to use her nose, for sure. DH plans on taking her out into the woods soon, now that she's showing such an interest in bunnies and squirrels. (He hunts and has trained our older dog already)