This is the conclusion of Rocky's eating problem:
 
About two weeks ago, he still wasn't eating much kibble even though I had
cut down on the treats and only gave him Chicken Gravy every other day,
as usual.  So I thought, Maybe he doesn't like the new food (which he
liked when I fed him the sample as a treat).  So I separated the new food
from his regular, and was going to throw it out, but decided I'd leave it
on the paper towel next to his bowl.  The next morning, it was gone!  But
he still wouldn't eat it unless I took pieces out and put them down on
his blanket, one at a time.  Then I thought, maybe it's the bowl.  After
hearing about Bob's advice about dumping the old food and washing the
bowl everyday, I switched from his normal bowl, which holds about 1 1/4
cups of food (enough for a week for Rocky!) to a smaller bowl.  In the
past I was just putting the fresh food on top everyday, and Rocky liked
eating from that bowl from the minute I got it for him a couple of years
ago because it was easier for him to pick up the pieces of kibble.
 
Meanwhile....before I changed the bowl, one evening I noticed some dried
up liquid in the corner of my (TV) food tray that was sitting on the
coffee table.  I couldn't imagine what it was, because nothing I eat is
that liquidy and I would've noticed it.  I started to wash it with my
brand new sponge gizmo and decided to smell it out of curiosity.  It was
ferret piss!!!!!  That evil weasel actually peed on MY dinner "bowl."  I
could understand when he left a poop right in the middle of the doorway
to the bathroom when he was mad at me for closing off access to behind
the stove, etc., but PISSING ON MY FOOD TRAY???!!!!  What a miserable,
vengeful creature.
 
At first I thought it was his way of telling me he's annoyed that I don't
give him any of my yummy food (except meat) when I'm eating, and all he
gets is kibble.  Then I realized it was his way of telling me there's
something wrong with HIS dinner plate.  Very creative, I have to admit.
When Rocky's "pissed off" it's not just a figure of speech.
 
After switching back to his big bowl, he began eating normally again,
and we forgave each other for our wrongdoings.  So all's well that end's
well.
 
But I am still puzzled: What kind of bizarre creature will virtually
starve rather than eat out of a bowl he doesn't like???
 
Thanks to all who gave me support and suggestions throughout this eating
crisis.
 
Shron
 
"What strange creatures these weasels be."
[Posted in FML issue 4823]