Whether you’ve had pet puppies for years or you’ve just adopted your first furry pup, it can be very irritating when your dog won’t eat. There are a variety of causes for the loss of hunger in dogs. It’s critical to choose the cause to develop the best treatment plan. The first item to keep in mind is how you’re considering your furry dog’s hunger. If you’re concerned because your dog isn’t eating as much as the guidelines state on the food you buy, remember that these are only averages. Many healthy dogs eat only 50% to 70% of the amount displayed on the packaging.
- Because loss of hunger in dogs can signify illness, it is crucial to seek veterinary care if you notice differences in your furry dog’s eating patterns. It is most important to react promptly to a rejection to eat in dogs that usually eat well. Even though most dogs can go a couple of days without food with no meaningful bad effects, it is best to address the problem as early as possible.
What to do when your furry dog won’t eat
What you can do to support when your furry dog won’t eat will depend on what you and your veterinarian decide to be the cause of the issue. If your furry dog’s loss of hunger is caused by illness, the vet may recommend a prescription diet to fulfill your furry pet’s health needs while the underlying infection is being addressed. Sometimes these diets are not particularly delicious, especially if your furry dog is used to everyday treats or people’s food. If your dog is already ill, never hunger your pet in an attempt to force it to eat the prescribed diet. Instead, talk with your veterinarian about options. In some more cases, your vet may prescribe appetite-stimulating medications, recommend syringe-feeding a liquid diet, or insert a feeding tube.
If your dog’s low appetite is a behavior issue caused by pickiness or discomfort with mealtime, rather than the result of a medical condition, there are lots of things you can do to motivate your pet to eat.
These contain:
- Cutting back on treats.
- Feeding(eating) your furry pet on a regular schedule, usually at least double a day.
- Make mealtime a fun time for your furry pet, such as by playing with a toy that dispenses food or awarding your dog with food for doing a trick.
- Take your furry dog for a walk with reflective dog harness before mealtime.
- Changing your furry dog’s feeding issue. If you normally feed your pet with other pets, try feeding them alone. Or try utilizing different bowls or containers at different heights to see what your dog picks. (You might even put a few bits of food on the floor next to the feeding dish.)
- Try another kind of food, such as removed food if you normally feed your dog dry food.
- Add a bit of warm water to your dog’s kibble to make it more attractive.
