My 5 month old German Shepherd was having diarrhea for a few days. I thought it was nothing serious as he was still eating well and very active. Three days ago, he refuse to eat and the diarrhea got worse so I took him to the vet. The doctor gave him a course of antibiotics and some anti-diarrheal medication. The diarrhea has stopped but now my dog does not want to eat his food. Even if I serve him purely wet food (which has a strong smell), he just sniffs at his bowl and walk away. Please help. I am so worried about him and he has always been a happy and active puppy. It breaks my heart to see him not eating. I wonder if he's doing this (not eating) to get extra attention. My husband and I give him lots of attention, but I'm sure not if that is enough for a puppy. We work in the day time. Both of us leaves the house at 9am and my husband is usually back by 2pm. According to my neighbor, my pup sleep from the moment we leave until my husband gets back. Please advise, what can I do to make my dog eat again?

How long has it been since he last eat?
Does hand feeding him work at all?
Is he drinking water OK?
Did the vet run any tests?
Any vomiting?

Sorry to answer your question with more questions

He's eating now but his excitement over food has disappeared. He used to wait for me while I prepare his food and dive right in the moment I place his bowl on the ground. Now, he walks over to his food bowl, sniffs the food and walks away. I have to take the bowl and place it right under his nose before he starts to eat it, very slowly. He also makes this gagging sound which I've never heard before. It's like he wants to throw up. He eventually finishes all the food in the bowl, but he needs a lot of coaxing and praise to achieve that. I realize that he rather drink water than eat his dog food. Is there any supplement that helps to increase appetite in dogs? The vet did not run any tests before my dog's diarrhea stopped. There's no vomiting. At this moment, he's fine but not eating as well as he used to.

The fact he doesn't seem overly interested in the food isn't a big deal with a 5 month old of any breed. As long as he is eating something I wouldn't hit the panic button.
When my pup was 5 months old it was a battle to get him to eat at all, we had to play games by tossing the food piece by piece across the floor and he would chase it and eat it. Now he's 9 months old and eats like a bloody horse.

You can get products that stimulate appetite, I'm not sure if it's available in the US but I have used one called Nutrigel, it contains loads of essential nutrients, plus it makes them feel hungry. If you can't find that brand in a pet store just ask your vet what they would recommend.

The gagging I can't help you with really, that's something you would have to discuss with your vet, there are too many possibilities.

I would try slowly changing his food to something he does like. It has to be done gradually though or the diarrhea may return. As long as he is getting plenty of fluid intake, he will most likely eat when he's hungry enough. Back to vet. If it continues. Animals develop liver toxicity from not eating for too long!

Consult your vet. You should try to find out why he has a lack of interest and change in diet.

I go along with IJ on this if it isn't any better in 1-2 days. No longer. Pets seem okay one minute and then (hate to say it) gone the next. We panic. Vets don't.

I go along with IJ on this if it isn't any better in 1-2 days. No longer. Pets seem okay one minute and then (hate to say it) gone the next. We panic. Vets don't.

Mix some yorgurt or cottage cheese in his food. Sometimes you need to restart the good bacteria again in the stomach. He might be associating his feeling sick to the food he was eating.

You could also cook him food for awhile. Not only will that continue to help bring down the inflammation, but also get him to start eating again.. After a couple of days, you can start mixing the cooked food in with the dog food. Try browned hamburger and rice or boiled chicken and rice.

I also read that feeding dogs raw meats will actually help with upset butt-ends. Raw meat is a natural digestive aid for dogs when they're either not going enough or going way too much. Cut him up some cheap steak or see if the butcher has anything that was dropped on the floor.

Also.. leave his food out for him. Dogs won't starve themselves. He'll eat eventually.

Yogurt and cottage cheese are good "prompters" however, don't over do it. Dairy can be difficult for pets to digest if they have a sensitive stomach or have been ill. Browned hamburger, cooked chicken and rice are excellent choices. Throw in a little mashed carrot or peas. Feed a little at a time so it doesn't sit out too long. It may spoil and reintroduce harmful bacteria in to the stomach again. Always have plenty of "fresh" water available for any pet, especially outdoors. I would be careful with raw meats until the dog is eating without symptoms. Good Luck and enjoy your dog!

Has her water intake changed at all?
But definitely bring her to the vet!

It's Aug.17th. Please tell me you brought the dog to a vet by now. Even if it feels better. It could be a chronic ailment that only the vet. Can diagnose. And, yes, watch her water. She may go without food for a few days but NOT water.

Dogs cannot have milk which is in dairy such as yogart so do not feed him that. Try a little cooked chicken or something, try different things you'll probably find one he'll love.