Strategies to Boost Your Dog's Appetite (Plus Signs Indicating a Vet Visit May Be Necessary)
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Having trouble getting your pooch to chow down? Worry not, we've got you covered. This situation isn't uncommon, and there are plenty of ways to fire up your furry friend's appetite, from savory changes to their mealtime routine to expert advice from our fur-friendly vets.
First things first, pay your vet a visit before making any changes. An underlying condition might be the root cause of their frou-frou dining habits, so nip that in the bud before trying anything else.
Now, let's dazzle your dog's taste buds and strengthen their appeal to the dish. By incorporating these seven simple strategies, you'll soon have your dog drooling at the sight of their food bowl.
A Wolf Down Dinner: 7 Simple Ways to Stimulate Your Dog's Dinner Game
- Spice up the Snarl: Add something out of the ordinary to their chow, such as a spoonful of delish doggie stew, a snippet of cooked chicken, or a dash of aromatic tuna water.
- Heat it up, baby!: Warming their grub by zapping it in the microwave or stirring in hot water might sound peculiar, but warm meals are more inviting, causing them to sniff out hunger. Remember to let it cool down a tad before serving!
- Hand-feeding, anyone?: Yes, you read that right. Feeding your dog directly might pique their interest, especially if they love wet food. Try forming tiny meatballs for an easier snack attack!
Nausea
Dr. Woodnutt also suggests whispering calming words while you do this, even experimenting with a fork and knife. But remember, don't make this a regular thing—sticking to their bowl keeps things simple!
Digestive issues or balance problems
- Medicine Time: Your vet might prescribe medication to aid in digestion, but these are typically intended to treat underlying conditions.
- Let's Move It, Move It!: Exercise gets their gut moving, which could stimulate appetite. You can find some solid advice on pumping up your pup's workouts in our vet's favorite workout guide.
- The Perfect Feast Setting: Place their meal in a quiet, undisturbed area and praise them while they dine.
- Treat, treat! If your dog isn't on any special diet, consider tossing in a few of the best dog treats or a flavor boosting topper to enhance their meal.
An anti-emetic, like maropitant
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Once they stop feeling nauseous, they are likely to get their appetite back
Our pal Michael claims these treats pack a powerful punch of fishy flavor. Although it might not be the most fragrant scent for us humans, it's a heavenly aroma for your dog! The recipe is rich in protein and vitamins with only salmon and cod as ingredients.
Grab it here!
High temperature
Pills 'n' 'Pup-per': Medicine to Boost Your Dog's Appetite
Fever
If trouble lodged deep within their bod, your vet might prescribe medication to help tackle that sucker. When the health issue begins to mend, their gnosh game should follow suit.
Anti-inflammatories
Here's a peek at how medications can aid in their recovery:
Once their temperature comes down, their body can resume normal functions, like eating
| Issue | Medicine Solution | Action || --- | --- | --- || Upchuck sensation: tummy troubles or imbalances | Anti-nausea pills: such as maropitant | Once their queasiness goes away, their appetite boosts. || Feverish spirits: feverish symptoms | Anti-inflammatories: to lower their body temperature | With their temp taking a nosedive, their bod can resume regular functions, like eating. |
Dr. MacMillan muses: "There are concoctions designed to stimulate appetite, but most of these aren't officially licensed for pooches in the US. Capromorelin has gotten the green light recently as an appetite stimulant in the US by the FDA and could prove helpful for long-term health issues, like chronic kidney disease."
Regardless of whether your dog is battling a temporary upset stomach or chronic health issues, let your vet guide you on the best treatment approach.
When to Send 'em to the Vet: "Why Isn't My Dog Eating?"
If your pooch's appetite has vanished and they seem under the weather, pay a visit to your vet. If they've skipped meals for more than a day, it's time for a check-up.
Dr. MacMillan advises: "Doggy denials of delicacies can be caused by a plethora of conditions, and it's paramount to address them immediately."
Curious about "How long can a dog go without eating?"? Here's our vet's helpful guide.
After unleashing her doctor skills at the University of Nottingham, Dr. Joanna Woodnutt immersed herself in companion pet care, falling in love with solving medical mysteries, behavioral puzzles, and tummy troubles. She took to writing about pet health to spread the pet-savvy knowledge to even more paw parents. Jo currently resides in the Channel Islands with her husband Ian and terrier Pixie.
rebecca, a dog-loving veterinary surgeon, graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009. Armed with experience in day-to-day chores, emergency duty, and managerial roles, Rebecca passionately enjoys nailing down canine health mysteries. After garnering a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with mention), she continues to focus her skills on medical cases.
- The vet's visit is crucial for identifying any underlying health conditions that may be affecting your dog's appetite.
- Adding delish doggie stew, a snippet of cooked chicken, or a dash of aromatic tuna water to their food can help stimulate your dog's taste buds.
- Hand-feeding your dog, especially if they love wet food, might pique their interest and help revive their appetite.
- Warming your dog's food or stirring hot water into it can make the meal more inviting.
- Praise your dog while they eat in a quiet, undisturbed area to create a positive dining experience.
- If your dog isn't on a special diet, consider giving them a few treats or flavor boosters to increase their interest in their food.
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