Another Q - any advise for a Dam with decreased appetite?

[Hefner413]

Doxie is 3 days after the birth of the pups and she has no interest in getting food or water. I've been bringing the water bowl to her in her "nest" and she'll drink some, but she has little interest in her food. She actually tries to bury it by covering it with a towl. I've called the vet and they advised giving her chicken and rice, which she has loved, but will I have to do this for a while? Is there a reason why she doesn't want to eat and tries to bury it instead? Thanks for helping me with our first litter!

[micki]

Sometimes females won't eat for a few days after eating the afterbirths. This tissue is very rich in nutrients and in the wild would allow the female to stay with her pups for the first few days and not need food. Maybe she was hiding the food for later. She should be drinking by now, just watch her.

[barnjess]

i always mix a little cottage cheese and canned meat after a birth to encourage her to eat as she cant afford not to eat

[Hefner413]

Originally Posted by micki

Sometimes females won't eat for a few days after eating the afterbirths. This tissue is very rich in nutrients and in the wild would allow the female to stay with her pups for the first few days and not need food. Maybe she was hiding the food for later. She should be drinking by now, just watch her.

yeah, it definitely seems as tho she is hiding her food. One issue might be that i had switched her to puppy food. I had read that it was good to switch to puppy food because of her extra need of caloric intake. but I think she wasn't going for changing her diet like that - even gradually. So I've put back her original dog chow. We'll see if she goes for it now. Thanks

[barnjess]

When did you switch her food?