GENERAL DIETARY. 77 



sometimes capricious, and occasionally he will turn from 

 a wholesome and appetizing dish. Of course it is a sign 

 of disturbance, yet too much significance should not be 

 attached to it ; moreover, it may generally be accepted as 

 evidence that nature has called a halt and nourishment 

 for the time being cannot be properly disposed of. It is 

 better, therefore, in such a case, provided the dog seems 

 well, to remove his food and allow him to fast until the next 

 regular time for feeding. And if mere derangement has 

 caused the loss of appetite more than likely it will in the 

 mean time have been recovered from and he will after- 

 wards eat heartily. If, however, he is not disposed to do 

 so his food should be again taken from him. 



Some owners will think this severe treatment, and that 

 their dogs would be in danger of starving were they denied 

 food for three or four days. As a matter of fact dogs 

 have endured abstinence for nearly thirty days. There- 

 fore, in the absence of other symptoms a loss of appetite 

 need not occasion great uneasiness ; but still its cause 

 should be determined if possible, and unless the normal 

 condition of things is restored within three or four days 

 the victim should be examined by a competent practi- 

 tioner, it being accepted that this sign then points 

 strongly to disease. 



Occasionally, but fortunately not often, are encountered 

 dogs that while apparently well are what are termed shy 

 feeders. They never eat greedily of any food, and nearly 

 all, if not all, are victims of derangement or disease, and 

 very generally of the digestive organs. Therefore, the 

 starvation treatment would never do for them, and 

 unusual consideration must be exhibited and they be 

 fed on the foods for which they show decided prefer- 

 ences, provided they are wholesome and easily digested. 

 But in the mean time every effort should be made to 



