Trouble eating

[Atemas]

Since the weekend, Sky has suddenly found it difficult to eat from her bowl on the floor. This is the dog who has scoffed her food in two seconds ever since we got her. So we are holding her bowl for her so she can eat at a better height until the bowl on a stand I have ordered arrives. She can still manage to drink from the water bowl on the floor. I have also ordered the bio flow collar. She is due her annual injections next month so I am going to book an appointment to see our new vet to discuss her declining mobility.
On the plus side, her coat is the glossiest (like velvet) it’s ever been. Can only be the herbs we are adding to her food as part of the trial we have been taking part in. Although the trial has now finished, I am continuing the herbs with both dogs as they both have lovely coats. Eventually I will get to know what they are.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Poor girl.
I wonder if it's arthritis in her neck/back?

 

[SwampDonkey]

Sounds like it Moo had similar problems. She had it in her shoulders mainly. She was older though and her neck was ok so eating was a bit easier. I got better anti inflammatory drugs.

 

[M.F.]

Sorry to hear about Sky. Snowie’s physiotherapist (dog physio) said that dogs should not eat from a bowl on the floor, that it puts too much strain on the neck, even for a young, healthy dog. She recommended a raised bowl. Hopefully your stand will arrive soon!

Snowie eats whole bones and meat, and I notice anyway he takes them to the lawn and eats lying down. It was an interesting observation. The physio said it was fine that he eats some things from a bowl on the floor—he gets kefir in a bowl—good for a neck stretch. But not to eat from a bowl on the floor for all meals.

 

[Charlie]

Poor Sky. @M.F. I remember asking this very question on the TLF about raised bowls and the reply was it's not good for a dog to eat off a raised bowl as it can cause bloat. Not sure if that's still the case though.

I hope Sky improves soon. xx

 

[Atemas]

I think Sky is suffering more than she lets on. I’m going to try the raised bowl when it arrives but I think her arthritis needs reassessing. She did play with Red yesterday for about a minute. It was interesting. I observed her ‘asking’ Red to play. Red couldn’t believe her luck and starting gentle but bouncy play bows all around Sky. They did a bit of gentle bitey face, then Sky rushed to lay down alongside the settee (that means leave me alone). Red just accepted it and came and lay next to me.

 

[Charlie]

Bless your girls xxx

 

[snowbunny]

Sorry to hear Sky is struggling. I have a raised bowl for Ginny, because it puts a lot of strain on her front leg to reach down to the floor. However, she's happiest eating laying down, so the little diva gets her food in bed

 

[M.F.]

Poor Sky. @M.F. I remember asking this very question on the TLF about raised bowls and the reply was it's not good for a dog to eat off a raised bowl as it can cause bloat. Not sure if that's still the case though.

I hope Sky improves soon. xx

Interesting re bloat. I’ll ask the physio next time we see her.

 

[MaccieD]

I think this is the study you are thinking of @Charlie charlie Are Dogs That Are Fed from a Raised Bowl at an Increased Risk of Gastric Dilation Volvulus Compared with Floor-Fed Dogs? | Buckley | Veterinary Evidence

 

[Charlie]

Thanks Rosemary, I knew I'd heard or read of it somewhere x

 

[Atemas]

The bio flow collar came yesterday and is on. Her new feeding stand comes today. We had to hold her bowl for her again this morning.

 

[M.F.]

Could you put her bowl on a step while you wait for the raised bowl? My husband held a glass bowl for Snowie to lick, and it slipped! Of course it broke. The physio suggested using the step—we weren’t thinking! (His usual bowl is stainless steel; the glass bowl was for licking leftovers! )

 

[Atemas]

while you wait for the raised bowl?

It’s arrived this evening so she will have her breakfast in it tomorrow.

 

[Atemas]

She’s not keen on the raised bowl but it’s early days. She has gone back to eating ok from her bowl on the floor but I am using the raised bowl for her tea. I close the door to the room she’s in so she can eat in peace. On Friday, my step daughter came to collect the poo samples for her trial. Sky was so pleased to see her and was behaving like a youngster. Today she chose to go on the long walk - could this be the effects of the bio flow collar? Who knows?

 

[MellowYellow]

I would second the suggestion of putting her bowl on a step, she may like that better than the raised bowl in the long term. Glad to hear that Sky is feeling more chirpy!!

 

[Atemas]

Update: Sky is happily eating all her food out of her new raised bowl now - think she just needed to get used to it. She has been wearing the bio flow collar for two weeks. On the whole she is quite upbeat - she has done a few long walks first thing which we are pleased aboutand she is always by the front door early evening waiting to be taken for her ‘sniff’ walk - she does more sniffing than walking . Visitors have commented on her being lively and happy .

 

[Boogie]

That’s good news @Atemas.

Long may it continue

 

[FayRose]

Good she is accepting the raised bowl. Our old BJ started to struggle with his bowl on the floor, appearing to cough and vomit back some food. Our vet suggested the raised bowl and said as they age, the oesophagus becomes slack, less elastic so food doesn't get pushed down properly.

Fingers crossed Sky continues to manage comfortably.

 

[Selina27]

Good news!