Does your dog have a low appetite or isn’t eating well for a while? Well, this happens, but you can prevent it. Food is vital for these incredible canines’ growth and development.
Poor nutrition doesn’t happen out of nowhere. There must be a reason or two for not eating as required. Appetite loss occurs irregularly but could negatively impact the animal if poorly managed. Always ensure you have a positive relationship with your vet and purchase dog supplies from a reputable vet store. There’s always a way out!
Here are a few ways to enhance a dog’s appetite without endangering their digestive system health.
Probiotics for dogs
Probiotics for dogs: because every pup deserves a happy gut! Forget about those stinky toots and upset tummies, give your furry friend some gut-loving goodness with probiotics. After all, a healthy gut means a happy pooch and a happier nose for you. So stock up on those little miracle bacteria and watch your doggo thrive from the inside out! Who knew keeping your pup’s gut in check could be so darn delightful?
General illness
When a dog is suffering from a disease, whether it is sudden or terminal, it will likely not eat well. It’s wise to have them checked for various conditions before trying to improve their appetite.
Dental issues
Not just dogs but every animal will eat poorly when something is wrong with their teeth. Issues like recent tooth extraction, gingivitis, or injury to the mouth deter them a lot.
Environmental issues
Dog eating habits are often associated with various environmental factors. For instance, sudden changes in the home may cause appetite loss. Other factors may include but are not limited to, frequent changes of dog sitters or poor ones, chaos within the family, and detachment from the owner.
Choose the Dog Food Wisely
Maybe your pup doesn’t want to eat because you’re not feeding it what it needs. The vet must have recommended the best dog food. Pet parents often forget to introduce non-dog and healthy foods to their canines along the way, reducing appetite. For better results, try Open Farm dog food for your pets.
Change of diet
Dogs react differently to diet changes but usually eat less. Maybe it’s the food, brand, or style of preparation or presentation.
Additional causes of appetite loss in dogs include allergies to a particular food, ongoing or recently completed medication, and aging (as they get older, they tend to eat less than during their prime).
Symptoms of Appetite Loss in Dogs
What tells you that your furry buddy has a poor appetite? First, if it’s evident that they consume a significantly small percentage of their daily servings, that’s it. Another sign could be when they’re reacting joyfully to their favourite treats.
They sometimes want to eat but cannot, possibly due to discomfort. Other signs are vomiting after eating, weakness or weight loss, sneezing, or coughing. The signs are immediate and long-term, requiring frequent observation of the canine’s daily feeding habits.
Improving a Dog’s Appetite
After understanding the possible causes and symptoms of appetite loss in dogs, you should be well prepared to work on the issue. If your pup has not been eating well, you can try to improve its appetite.
Warm the Dog’s Food
It’s not like dogs cannot eat cold food, but warming it enhances the flavour, making it more savoury and appealing. This tip applies to canned foods and any other heated food. Just ensure you do not overheat it so it doesn’t burn your doggie’s mouth.
Incorporate Some Treats
Who doesn’t love a little bit of their favourite treat besides the usual diet? Absolutely no one! Not even the man’s best friend. Incorporating a treat into the meal would excite them, and they likely eat it all. However, this should not be a daily routine because they may become too dependent on the trick and lose interest in nutritional foods.
Change the Diet
As highlighted earlier, dogs may eat less when introduced to an unfamiliar meal. They may lose interest if you repeatedly offer the same feed. If you detect signs of low appetite, you can consider bringing something new to the table- maybe they’ll love it. When they react negatively, change the meal or try idea number 5.
Add Some Flavor
Food may not always be as tasty as you’d love it. Like every animal, dogs find their meals bland, and they’ll likely eat less or nothing at all. You can add flavour to their meal by pouring slightly salted and unflavored broth (beef or chicken) over the food.
Change Feeding Essentials
This is your pet or another child at some point. As the years progress, they will outgrow or tire of their feeding needs. And since they cannot talk, they often tell you by eating less than usual.
Purchasing a new and more entertaining feeding apparatus can improve dog appetite. The apparatus includes the bowl and toys, serving times, style, feeding environment, and food presentation.
See the Vet
Visit the vet to improve your dog’s appetite. The professional will better understand the issue and guide you to a long-lasting solution.
They can also diagnose any underlying health issue leading to appetite loss and offer effective medication. However, it is not recommended to purchase appetite suppressants (drugs) over the counter without a prescription.
