It is stressful for dog owners, specially for a human who is a first time owner, when the dog would not eat.
It is more stressful for those who just got the new puppy and the puppy would not eat.
There are many reasons why dogs would not eat.
WebMD, in the article “Dog Not Eating? Possible Causes and Appetite Solutions,” says, “ It is important to determine the cause in order to design the best treatment plan.”
“The first thing to keep in mind is how you’re judging your dog’s appetite. If you’re concerned because your dog isn’t eating as much as the guidelines state on the food you purchase, remember that these are only averages. Many perfectly healthy dogs eat only 60% to 70% of the amount stated on the packaging,” WebMD stressed.
Loss of appetite can mean your dog is sick. It is one of the symptoms of most illnesses in pets.
Please bring your dog to the vet immediately when a dog has lost his appetite or you have noticed a change in his/her eating habits.
“It is especially important to respond promptly to a refusal to eat in dogs that usually eat well,” WebMD said.
Possible causes
WebMD enumerated the possible causes for a change in eating habit or loss of appetite:
• Illness
• Dental disease
• Recent vaccination
• Travel and unfamiliar surroundings
• Pickiness or behavior issues
What to do
How to help your dog will depend on the cause of the loss of appetite.
“If your dog’s loss of appetite is caused by illness, the vet may recommend a prescription diet to meet your pet’s nutritional needs while the underlying disease is being addressed. Sometimes these diets are not particularly tasty, especially if your dog is used to regular treats or people food. If your dog is already ill, never starve your pet in an attempt to force it to eat the prescribed diet. Instead, talk with your veterinarian about alternatives. In more severe cases, your vet may prescribe appetite-stimulating medications, recommend syringe-feeding a liquid diet, or insert a feeding tube,” WebMD said.
If the cause is a behavior problem, you can do the following, according to WebMD:
• Cut back on treats.
• Feed your pet on a regular schedule, usually at least twice a day.
• Make mealtime a fun time by allowing your pet to play with a toy that dispenses food or reward your dog with a treat after doing a trick.
• Take your dog for a walk before mealtime.
• Change your dog’s feeding situation. “If you normally feed your pet with other animals, try feeding him alone. Or try using different bowls or plates at different heights to see what your dog prefers. (You might even put a few pieces of food on the floor next to the feeding dish.),” WebMD said.
• Try a different kind of food, such as canned food if you usually feed your dog dry food. DC
