Dog not eating

How long since hes eaten?  How old?  What kind of dog?  Is he lethargic?  Is he pooping?  Drinking more or less?

Try putting a little warm water in the food to make it somewhat like gravy.  That may help!

How long has it been since he ate last? Can you try mixing in a little of something really yummy? Like canned pumpkin (plain, not the kind with spices.)

Well, I'm a pet sitter and first off, if he's acting OK otherwise he's probably just nervous that his mom and dad are away.  I've got a few clients who have trouble eating when the family leaves them even though I've watched them every time.

First thing I do, if it's a dog I know doesn't have any allergies, etc.  is try adding a little grated cheese.  It could be just me, but I don't think a dog that isn't used to holistic type foods is going to dig into pumpkin.  Or, you could try a little roast beef or even canned food.  I usually end up having to hand feed these dogs.  One dog I sit for, won't eat unless I sit on the floor while he LAYS down and I hand feed him!  It's a big production, I should get more for that stop, LOL!

If it's been a few days and still nothing, I call the family.  You don't have to make it sound like a big emergency, but I let them know what's going on and find out what else I can try.  I have one family that now leaves me a note ahead of time, if he doesn't eat, make him a scrambled egg to put in his kibble. 
 
Is he drinking and eating treats??   

ORIGINAL: willowchow
If it's been a few days and still nothing, I call the family.  You don't have to make it sound like a big emergency, but I let them know what's going on and find out what else I can try.

i would definitely let them know if it has been a few days. we once boarded our cats and one of our cats did not eat the whole time, and they only told us that after we got back. we were gone for 7 days. we were more than a little pissed off, and found a very nice pet sitter after that.

Oh, NO.  Cats are very different, if a cat doesn't eat they get a call day ONE.  Dogs can go awhile without eating and still be OK, cat's can have liver damage after 24 hours.

that is what we were worried about. the place we kenneled them was our vet at the time. we thought they would do well there since they knew the staff and they would be well watched after and would alert us if there were any problems (since it was a vet's office). we were very disappointed to say the least.

they did much better with the pet sitter. our more outgoing cat even seemed to be disappointed once we were home that she wouldnt get the see the pet sitter any more for a while []

That's unbelievable that the vet's office would do that! 
 
I love it when my clients notice that their pet really likes when I sit.  []

we have since moved to another state. i really hope we can find a sitter that is as great as the one we had before.

Lori has some good ideas to try to temp your dog that is not eating to try to eat.
I also pet sit and one of my tricks is to break up a Milk Bone and add it to the food. Providing they don't have any health issues. Another is chicken breasts, cooked and hand fed, especially if it is day three and still not eaten enough to satisfy me. That really works well and they don't toss up their cookies with yellow bile b/c of an empty tummy.
As long as the dog is drinking enough water, things should be ok.
 
Cyclefiend, have you tried [linkhttp://www.petsit.com]www.petsit.com[/link] to find a new pet sitter in your area.
 
I agree Lori, we are invaluable! I also get a kick out of my charges especially when their owners are home and they don't want me to leave. I have one that I have to visit on a regular basis since she is attached herself to me and gets depressed if I do not come to visit even if I am not pet sitting for her. They are so incredibly smart these pets. I so love my job!

we havent really looked for a pet sitter since we moved to SC because we, unfortunately for us, havent been able to afford a vacation. i know a lady my wife works with has offered to sit for us when we are on vacation, but i think i like the idea of having someone that is bonded/insured and all that do it. plus hopefully, i would have the piece of mind of not having to worry if a friend would forget one day, as a professional would be there when they said they would period.

Did you move really far from the state you were in?  Sometimes I can give referrals if they are moving to a nearby state of someone else that I know that sits. 

I fostered lots of cats and dogs that were depressed from all the upheaval and I found that as long as health wasn't an issue, all kinds of stinky and/or tasty things would tempt an animal to eat.  One time in a pinch I bought a jar of stage 2 chicken dinner for human babies and dipped my finger in it and my foster pup started licking.  That woke up his appetite and he snarfed his food.  He was great after that.  It isn't always that easy tho.  Eating is really a case-by-case thing.   Best of luck on this.   Jules

My older guy always goes off his food whenever I'm not around.  No matter if he stays with the in-laws, or whether my SIL comes to our house, he just mopes.  She leaves the food down for him 24/7, and he eats enough to sustain himself until I return.  Canned food also works for him to spark his appetite.