Red Setter not eating.

[Tinker_Belle]

Harley is off his food. He shows interest in human food (surprise! ) but will barely touch his own food.

He's well in himself, play-fighting with the spangle and eager for walks and fuss. I'm a bit worried because his rear end is beginning to resemble a cows....

His food is good quality biscuits mixed with dog meat and there's been no changes in his diet or routine and his worming and vaccs are up to date. I've tried mixing gravy with it, I've tried veg and rice with it, I've tried giving him one meal a day, I've tried splitting it in to two or three smaller meals but he's not touching it. . He picked at it last night but seems to go in fits and starts of either eating the lot or picking at it and then losing interest.

I'm pretty sure it is the heat getting to him. Although the spangle is fine and as greedy as ever with food .

He's fine in himself so I don't want to be carting him to the vets but I'm at a loss as to what else to do to encourage him to eat.

Does anyone have any ideas? Or have any experience of this?

Thanks.

 

[mattilda]

I had a rottie who was a very picky eater. I bought turkey thighs (cheap) and roasted them then shredded some into her food. She ate the lot every time.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Try mixing in some veg or fish oil or adding a tin of tuna.
He won't starve himself and he sounds in good form so I wouldn't stress too much.

 

[reddie]

Our setter would go off her dog food for a few days every now and again, but was always interested in our food!! She would then start eating again after a few days

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Our old setter was like that with food - if every thing else is ok put his food down - if he hasn't touched it after 10/15 mins take it away. He will eat when he is hungry.

The only thing you should consider with Irish Setters is that they are prone to Coeliac disease - it is genetic and nothing you can do but manage it. It is however easy to manage as you just get one of the hypoallergenic gluten free food for him - Skinners or the like. If he is coealiac the gluten form any wheat (so biscuits bread etc ) will make him have diahorrea and he will struggle to keep weight on regardless of how much he eats. Ours was a Coeliac - took a few years before and enlightened vet diagnosed/told us - but after that was dead easy to manage.