[BertSalley]

I recently adopted a chi-poo (we call her Puka) from the local shelter. She's a bit over a year old and she's only 6+ pounds. I've already had her for 2 months and she's not gaining weight. It's not a big surprise: she barely touches the kibble and she seems too scared to eat anything else. Her behavior is very submissive and I'm almost positive she experienced some abuse. I have to be very gentle and coaxing with her most of the time. When we first brought her home, she turned her nose up at the kibble and wet food. I tried a variety of brands until finally we bought a few different flavors of Cesar's brand (I know it's not very good for her) She WAS eating it just fine for a few days. Then she decided she didn't like it. I thought "okay, you're just finicky and want more variety" so I bought some other brands. Now she turns her nose at everything. Actually, she won't even sniff it. I managed to coax her to eat a few meals by feeding it to her bite by bite from my hand. She does this fine most of the time except that she started shaking like a leaf and she tucked her tail, ears back, like she was scared to eat. Every time I try to present her with food she does this behavior. I figured it was due to a traumatizing situation during eating before I adopted her. But then why was she okay to begin with, starvation maybe? Shouldn't the stress of coming to a new home have worn off by now?
AND the vet said she was fine besides needing some weight. I AM SO LOST.

[cigwyllt]

Have you tried putting the food down and ignoring it completely? Perhaps she would eat more happily if she isn't being watched?

[BertSalley]

Yes, that was one of the first things I tried, thinking she needed to be alone to feel safe enough to eat, but when I walk away, she follows me. I left the food in a quiet spot for the whole day and it remained untouched. Whenever she had to pass it, she walked with a wide birth and repeated her fearful behavior like IT was going to attack her. I have literally tried all the classic solutions...at least I think I have.

[cigwyllt]

OK - a healthy dog will not starve itself but it sounds like she isn't healthy -mentally traumatised if not physically sick. I'm always in favour of putting food down and taking it way if it is uneaten - no fuss,no coaxing. But most dogs don't have the issues your dog has. What about a Kong or something similar. If a Kong is too big you could improvise something. Perhaps smear something tasty onto a toy so she can lick it off.

I'm trying to translate baby weaning ideas into dog toys! So far as nutrition is concerned there are others here who can give you better info than I can and also I'm in the UK so dog foods and such are different but I do have lots of experience of babies! My dog experience is with rough tough terriers so they are bigger and tougher than your pup from the start. Having said that, if I was trying to tempt one to eat as you are doing I would probably start off with making toys tasty - perhaps smearing peanut butter on a ball, I doubt I would give a bone but a hard toasted roll with a piece of cheese pressed into it. Maybe a piece of home cooked meat (no salt) in a tiny sandwich - anything to get the dog to enjoy the taste.

Others may have more experience and may disagree but the odd tiny bit of honey could also be useful to tempt her to taste.

One of my children absolutely hated food so I just made sure she had a choice of tiny tastes and toys that she could chew on and I allowed her to play with her food. I am sure you could do something similar with your pup so that taste and smell are pleasant then she should lose her fear and start to eat.

[CorkyMax]

Did you get a vet check-up after you adopted your Puka (including blood work). I think chihuahuas shake easily but as Luna has mentioned shaking can occur when there is a blood sugar spike after eating. I hope she doesn't have diabetes---Blood work may tell. If you do get blood work done--Ask your vet beforehand if Puka should not eat so many hours before the blood is drawn. Not against the honey idea in general but would be very bad IF she does happen to have Diabetes.

Hopefully this is not a physical problem but you should have her checked out if you have never had a vet visit with her yet.