[Elliot]

Hi there, I have a rather large problem with our pet Dane. He has no interest in any kind of food that dogs are meant to eat. He is now 20 months old and we have had nothing but problems with him over his lack of eating. He has never showen any interest in food other than cat food. But just recently we have had to put down our old dog and before that for approx 3 months he was actually eating on a regular basis of 6 days a week. He never actually eats for a solid 7 days straight. He is a skinny animal anyway. It has now been 3 weeks since our old boy has gone and in that time he has only had about 4 solid feeds. Our vets only suggestion was to get another dog which at this stage is not an option. We have tried every single one of those top dried dog foods and you would have thought we were giving him poison. He just looks at the food then looks at us then turns away from the food bowl and walks into another room. He then would come back into the kitchen to look at his food bowl to see what else we have come up with. Not finding anything to his extreme tastes he just walks off again and there he stays. He just no interest in eating. But on the rare occasion that he does find his food to his liking he just licks it very very slowly. So if anyone can helps us we would be ever so grateful. :

[labman]

It is unusual for a healthy dog to harm itself by failing to eat very long. I am sure missing the other dog is part of the problem. Try to compensate for that by giving him more attention, walks, brushing, throwing sticks, etc. Do you have dog parks where he could spend some time with other dogs?

Continue to offer him food. Do not let him eat much cat food. Anything is better than nothing, but cat food is formulated for cats' different needs and does not give dogs the complete and balanced diet they need. Choose a meat based, concentrated chow. It does not have to be the highly advertised brands. Most of the higher volume outlets have generic brands most dogs will thrive on. They can be a big help with the light eaters. Last of all, accept his keeping himself lean as long as his ribs do not show, or at least not much. I can't think of seeing a fat Great Dane. Often they do show a little rib. Unlike Labs, some breeds usually insist on keeping themselves lean. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food adjusted to its individual needs. See
http://www.purina.com/dogs/nutrition.asp?article=292.

[Elliot]

Thanks a bundle Labman. Our Dane Nemo has actually had 3 days of full meals. So life here has settled greatly. Again Thanks.
Elliot :)

[courtni]

Is his food highly elevated?? My Dane likes our cat's food better as well, but he won't eat his if its on the ground. He just looks at it and stares at us. If a Great Dane's food is not elevated well, their intestines will rap around each other and obviously cause serious harm. I do not know if this is the problem, but I hope it helps.

[missluvyduby]

I agree about the elevated food comment, my great dane is the same, we have to keep his food bowl on a five gallon bucket. Also, I don't know if you have tried to sit down and just wtch him, my dog only eats when I watch him eat