Why do dogs lose appetite

You can warm up the food before serving it, try hand-feeding, add some chicken broth, or try out a different brand of dog food. E-Mail: [email protected]. Product reviews About Contact us Blog. Search bullymax. Illness Illness is one of the more common reasons your dog may not be as hungry as usual. Medication Has your furry best friend been prescribed any new medications?

Dental Disease Although less common, your dog could be suffering from dental disease. Recent Vaccination Has your pup recently been vaccinated? Behavior Issues At the end of the day, some dogs are just fussy.

Time of Day Your dog may prefer to eat at certain times of the day. Food Preferences Have you recently switched to a new brand or variety of dog food? And make sure to check the expiration date! Try hand-feeding. Add chicken broth or beef broth to the food to make it more appealing.

Add warm water to their dry food to help soften it up. Try to feed your dog dry food if they usually only eat wet food, or wet food if they usually only eat dry dog food. Feed your pup at the same time every day to establish a routine.

Two meals per day is a good sweet spot. Reduce the amount of people food and dog treats that you give your dog.

Get your dog out for some exercise to work up the appetite! Get creative! Reward your dog for doing a trick. Feeding time can be a good opportunity to incorporate some training or implement new habits and tricks.

Try a different kind of dog food, or add a little chicken broth to their dish. Enjoyed this post? These foods are highly palatable, are easily digestible, and can help counteract some of the gastrointestinal upset that can happen after surgery and anesthesia. If your dog had oral or facial surgery, your veterinarian may recommend feeding only canned food for two or more weeks.

This also means that your dog should not receive hard treats or chew on hard toys until they are declared healed at their recheck appointment. If your dog is refusing to eat the prescribed canned food, reach out to your veterinarian in case there are any post-operative complications. If your dog is lethargic, vomiting, or having diarrhea in addition to not eating, see your veterinarian right away.

Add water or no-sodium chicken broth to the dog food and let it soak for several minutes to soften it. Heat canned food for a few seconds in the microwave make sure to take it out of the metal can and put it into a microwave-safe bowl. Canned food can become scorching hot quickly, so feel the food first to avoid any burned tongues. Try mixing some plain, boneless, skinless boiled chicken and rice with their kibble to encourage them to eat.

Add a probiotic such as Purina Fortiflora or Advita on top of the food. Not only can this make the food more palatable, but it can also help any inflamed or irritated intestine heal by rebalancing a healthy gastrointestinal flora. If you have tried these tricks and your dog continues to refuse his food, he should be seen by his veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Unless explicitly prescribed by your veterinarian, your dog should not be given any over-the-counter gastrointestinal medications like Imodium or Pepto Bismol , as these could cause serious side effects or even interact with medications that your veterinarian may want to give.

It is best to consult with your veterinarian before attempting to treat symptoms at home. Home Dog Nutrition Center. Published: January 21, Behavioral Anxiety, stress, or fear can cause decreased appetite in some dogs, just like it can in people. Issues With the Food The issue might be with the food itself—it could be old, expired, stale, or spoiled. Will Your Dog Drink Water? Is Your Dog a Senior? Is Your Dog a Puppy? Did Anything Change in Your Household? Did You Switch Dog Foods?

Is Your Dog Pregnant or in Heat? Is Your Dog Diabetic? Featured image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. Submit Feedback. Still have questions? Continue to Chewy. Only let him lick a small amount at a time. This will help him stay hydrated as well as give him sugar for energy.

If your dog must eat and cannot fast, offer him a small amount of boiled rice a few times throughout the day. When to See a Vet Things that can make your dog lethargic and weak can range from infection and disease to pain and medication. And because weakness and lethargy can indicate anything from a chronic condition to a life-threatening illness, you should always talk to your vet when you notice either symptom.

Skip to content What causes loss of appetite in dogs? What can I give my dog with no appetite? Chicken and Rice. Chicken and rice are prime ingredients in many dog foods, and these mild foods sit well on upset canine stomachs. Shredded chicken is easy on upset stomachs and acts as a huge eating incentive for dogs with decreased appetites. For a sick, debilitated, or geriatric dog who is picky about eating, one of the easiest and cheapest options to try is tempting him to eat rotisserie chicken.

When should I worry about my dog not eating? Can worms cause loss of appetite in dogs?