Think about when it’s time for your dog’s mealtime and how excited they get. Your pooch needs to get a slight smell of the food or hear you open the packet of treats, and they’ll run right over to you. So on the rare occasion when your pooch who normally can’t resist food is refusing to eat, it can be quite distressing.
When your pooch is not touching the food bowl at all, it’s natural to get worried and have things running in your mind about their health. That’s completely understandable, but before you panic and think about the worst-case scenarios, it’s important to keep a calm and rational mind so that you can take the necessary steps.
Remember that even if your dog won’t eat, it doesn’t mean that they’re in danger. It can be something minor like boredom and indicate common sicknesses like upset stomachs or behavioral issues like separation anxiety.
At the same time, you need to monitor your pooch carefully to look for warning signs of serious diseases like cancer. Your pooch going a day without food should not be a cause for worry, but if it exceeds more than 2 days, you should be approaching it proactively.
This is your ultimate guide to figure out why your pooch stopped eating and what treatments or home remedies you can use to get their appetite back.
Canine Inappetence or Anorexia is the medical term for loss of appetites in dogs. Don’t worry. Anorexia in humans is completely different from anorexia in dogs. Canine Anorexia can be of three types:
- Complete Anorexia: When your pup refuses to eat anything at all.
- Partial Anorexia: When your pooch eats some food, but not enough to stay healthy.
- Pseudo-Anorexia: When your pooch wants to eat but is not able to due to some underlying condition.
Also Read:- Canine Healthcare: 10 Food You Shouldn’t Feed Your Pet DogHere are some ways to find the causes
- Observe the behavior of your pooch and look for dental issues or pain in any other part of their body
- Examine the food and see if there are any issues with the food. The food is spoiled, or a newly introduced dog food could be the issue. On the other hand, not changing anything in your dog’s diet can also be a reason. After all, don’t we humans also get bored of eating the same food?
3 . Check for environmental and behavioral issues. A change in an environment like moving houses, absence of another pet or close family member, weather change or any other kind of stress can cause loss of appetite. Similarly, a behavioral reason like separation anxiety or a family member has made your dog get used to table scraps. Such behavior can also be a reason why your pet refuses their regular food.
- Medical conditions: Few medical conditions that can make your dog stop eating include:
- Poisoning
- Dog Allergies or infections
- Upset stomach
- Depression
- Pain includes dental issues like problems with gums, teeth and tongue
- Parasite
- Tumors
- A recent vaccination
- Autoimmune diseases
- Issues in the internal organs (heart, liver, kidneys, lungs)
If you suspect it’s anything serious, then please contact your vet immediately.
Foods for a sick dog with no Appetite:
Just like in humans, some foods are comparatively more appetizing to dogs when they’re feeling under the weather. If your dog is feeling unwell, here are some simple home remedies you can try and homemade food you can feed them:
- Switching up consistency:
If you usually feed your dog dry kibble, try feeding them wet food. It’s an exciting new treat for dogs and is easier to eat. The higher water content is also a bonus and will help your dog be hydrated.
- Bone Broth
Bone broth is power-packed with all the nutrients your dog needs to feel better while being super easy to consume. This tasty broth is a great way to give your dog some nutrition if they haven’t eaten properly.
- Baby Food
This nutritious, easy-to-digest, and easy-to-eat food can be quite tasty for dogs. You can find meat-based baby foods too. There are options available in chicken, lamb or turkey, which are all good choices for your pooch.
- Chicken Broth with Shredded Chicken
Chicken broth, like bone broth, is healing for dogs while being much easier to make than bone broth. It’s easy on your pooch’s stomach and is a good solution if the appetite loss is caused due to an upset stomach. As most of the dogs love chicken. Adding small pieces of unseasoned (overly seasoned foods can upset the tummy more) chicken is a good way to get your dog to eat solids again.
- Chicken and Rice
This dish is bland enough for an upset stomach while being delicious for your dog. You can either cook the rice in bone broth or water. But remember to keep it unseasoned and cook the chicken thoroughly.
- Pumpkin
Pumpkin is excellent for your pooch’s digestion. It’s rich in fibers, contains magnesium and iron and vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A. But you can’t feed your dog pumpkin pie filling. The excessive amount of sugars and seasoning is bad for an upset stomach. Instead, feed your dog 100% pure pumpkin puree or pure pumpkin powder.
- Water
While you’re busy trying to get your dog to eat food, don’t neglect water. Drinking enough water is arguably more important than eating. Dogs can naturally go without food longer, even for days. If your pooch is refusing to eat at all, try keeping water consumption up so that they don’t fall prey to dehydration.
Given all things, keep in mind that if It’s been more than two days of your dog refusing to eat at all, get medical attention as soon as possible.
Also Read:- 5 Dog Treats Recommendations Every Pet Owner Must Follow
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