Hi,
I have a Jack Russell / Chihuahua mix and he is almost a year old (Doodle). The problem is that he won't eat unless I make him eat. Like I feed him from a spoon or I hand feed him. He is really skinny so I try to make him eat. We've had him for about 4 months now, and he came from a person who had another puppy who was domineering. Maybe he's scared to eat or maybe eating isn't on his main priority list. But I need to know what I can do to make him gain weight. His ribs poke out and his backbone is very noticeable. Is there any sort of food I can feed him that will put some pounds on him? Are there any techniques that I can use to make him want to eat? Please someone help me... I don't want him to be unhealthy anymore. Thanks so much!

What are you feeding? What is his medical history as far as deworming? Other dogs in household now? Is he neutered? Has he been this skinny since you got him?
Thanks,D

Hi,
He has no worms because we took him to the vet when we got him- he's had all of his shots and everything. We have no other animals- he's our only one. He's been skinny ever since we got him. At first we thought it was worms that was making him skinny so when we got him dewormed we thought that he would gain some weight. But about 2 months after he went to the vet, and after having checkups, he is still skinny. I started him out on those packets of food with chuncks in them, Ol Roy I believe is the name brand. Then I switched to Purina packets because he wasn't really interested in the other kind. Then I figured he might like dry food better, so I tried that. Now I am feeding him canned Old Roy food and he eats it, but only when I feed it to him with a spoon. I also heard that feeding him an egg mixed in with dry dog food is good. But I don't think it's the type of food- because he ate all the others but I had to physically feed it to him and encourage him to eat. He is neutered, also. Thanks!

Some experts say a dog will never harm itself by refusing to eat. I won't go quite to that extreme. What has the vet said about his weight? Make sure the vet rechecks him for worms every time you visit. It is very unusual for a healthy dog not to eat enough to at least only have the ribs show a little. I would move up to a meat based concentrated chow. If you like shopping at Wal-Mart, the Iams they carry would be as good as anything. He will make more efficient use of it. With a small dog, cost can't make that much difference. Some of you larger pet stores and feed barn may carry house brands of the meat based, concentrated chows. Never risk a dog's health on an untested home recipe. Modern dog chows are all tested to make sure they are a complete and balanced diet. Iams, etc. are no better for a dog than the Old Roy, it is just that if he eats the same amount, it will do him more good.