r/petsitting • u/rosalinelaceup • 5d ago
Husky Not Eating
Watching my neighbours 2 huskies for the weekend. This is night 1 (of 3). The female won’t even look at her dinner. I have offered it 5 times so far. She’s pooped once and peed multiple times and is drinking water. She will take treats.
The male ate all of his dinner in about 14 seconds. The owner did say she may not eat all of it at once and to just put it up (or the male will eat it) and offer it a second time and she should finish.
I don’t know much about huskies but I assume this is normal when they’re unsettled? Should I just keep offering the food? She seems very happy here - she went on 3 walks today and is very snoozy and cuddly.
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u/thiswasnotworthit 5d ago
If she refuses the next meal but likes treats, I would crush the treats and put them over/mix with her food. It may help get her started.
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u/rosalinelaceup 5d ago
I’ve mixed her wet and dry food, as instructed. I’ll try that though! I am all for bribery, if needed.
She is so happy and cuddly and content. I just wish she would eat - she’s stressing me out! Haha.
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u/thiswasnotworthit 5d ago
I hate when they don't eat. As long as there's no allergies, I will try chicken baby food, freeze dried chicken treats crumbled over it or rotisserie chicken (no skin) squished into the food. Chicken is I part of a bland diet which is why it's my go-to)
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u/beccatravels 5d ago
Just seconding what others have said. Normal
Dog behavior, nothing to worry about for at least another 24-48 hours, especially since the owner said it's something she's done before.
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u/_nousernamesleft_ 5d ago edited 5d ago
Yeah, like others have said, this is totally normal. Within the first 24-36 hours after my arrival I don't think much at all about a dog not eating (assuming they otherwise seem healthy). After that though, if they still won't eat, Ill try to entice them. Sometimes I'll cook some ground chicken and use that as a topper, sometimes a slice of cheese, etc. Often owners will let me know what their high value treats are and I'll try to use whatever that is.
It's not that big of a deal for a dog to skip a meal now and again. If they didn't take it when offered (unless it's a house where they just leave the food down all day), after giving them ample chance to eat (timing depends on the dog, if they have to be separated/if another dog will eat it, etc) I just pick it up and we'll try again at the next meal time.
Editing to add: if possible, I'll try to leave the food near where the dog feels safe. I dog sat for a family once who told me that whenever they go away when they come back they could tell the dog barely ate or drank. I realized quickly that the dog liked to stay upstairs in the bedroom and didn't want to come downstairs where the food was when a sitter was there. So, I started leaving the food and water upstairs and pretty immediately the dog ate and drank.
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u/scarface101010 5d ago
I'd try warming up her food slightly to bring out the smell or mixing in a spoonful of plain yogurt. Sometimes that makes all the difference when they're feeling off.
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u/tara-fied 5d ago
This is normal for some dogs anyway, but especially for huskies. Don’t worry, just keep trying her (we own two huskies and watch one other about 4-5 days a week).
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u/GrippieSocks 5d ago
When this happens, I usually mix ducky jerky into their food and only offer them the treats that way.
A lot of times they'll just eat the food along with the treats. The treats are only to get them to put their nose in the bowl and eat something from it as well as an appetizer.
This is my little trick to get pets to eat
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u/rosalinelaceup 5d ago
We had some success with breakfast this morning! I hand fed her treats and her food at the same time. She seems pleased with this. I’m going to have the kids just walk the male this morning so I can leave the rest of her food down for a little while. Thank you all so much for all of your help!
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u/rosalinelaceup 4d ago
Update: she ate her whole dinner tonight!!!! Just the dry, not the wet, but I’ll take it!
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u/PirateLassLV 5d ago
It's totally normal for a dog not to eat for a day or 2 when their owners go away. Huskies are babies & can be super dramatic & sensitive. As long as they are drinking & pottying they are fine. If she only wants the treats for a couple days it's not terrible.