Heat Up Your Dogs Food
Heating up your dogs food increases its smell and palatability. Sick dogs will have a hindered sense of smell and taste. Food that has been warmed up may smell more fragrant and can help entice your dog to eat it. This will also help with taste which will encourage your dog to continue eating after that first bite.
Adjusting Your Dogs Diet
Dog Food Preferences And Bad Habits
If health problems are not an issue, you might need to consider that your dog has acquired some bad habits by his owners. Feeding your dog extra treats during the day that are tastier and more interesting than his normal dry diet can cause a finicky appetite to develop over time. If there are many people in the household that like to give your dog extra treats or are slipping table scraps to him, it can lead to some serious issues, including obesity.
In cases of excessive table scrap feeding, some dogs will tend to hold out until they are given something that just tastes better than dry dog food. Here is where you need to make some changes and stop reinforcing the bad behavior. Table scraps and excessive treats only cause weight gain and dont provide balanced nutrition. Your dog needs to eat nutritionally balanced food in proper amounts every day to maintain health. So, in this case, making changes is vital.
Stop feeding extra foods and treats and stick to a daily scheduled feeding routine. Put down the proper amount of food at a regular time each day and wait. If your dog wont eat the food, try again the next day. It wont hurt for a day or two to go by without him eating, as long as hes in good health and not a very young animal . This will help encourage his appetite for his dog food, and after a short while he should learn that this food is the only food he will be getting every day.
Chicken And White Rice Is A Miracle Cure
When I was first learning how to get a dog with no appetite to eat, my veterinarian suggested chicken and rice. I was surprised, because I usually like to eat chicken and rice when my stomach is upset. It always helps to settle my stomach.
Why had I not thought of this before?
If you watch my video guide above, you’ll hear the story of our Boxer, Chloe, who has to take 2 different medications to control a heart condition. One of these medications makes her stomach upset if it is empty. Unfortunately , Chloe is a stubborn girl who doesn’t always want to eat a meal before taking her pill.
I was struggling to find a dish that would entice Chloe to eat when I needed her to and would also help to soothe her stomach when the medication makes her nauseous. I tried the chicken and rice trick after our vet recommended it, and it’s been working like a charm every since.
All you have to do is boil a boneless chicken breast and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Then cook some brown or white rice according to the instructions on the packaging. Mix it together, and you have a healthy treat for sensitive tummies. I have some of my own recipes with chicken and rice if you’d like to try them .
The chicken gives a strong scent, but if Fido still isn’t enticed to eat try adding 2 tablespoons of low-sodium broth to the dish. None of our dogs have every turned this meal away. Whenever I’m asked about how to get a dog with no appetite to eat, I always recommend chicken and rice.
Keep The Dog Hydrated
A dog can go days without food. Yes, his energy will be low, but it won’t cause any serious issues. If your dog stops drinking water, it can cause major problems very quickly. Dehydration can even be life threatening if not treated fast enough.
When you’re learning how to get a dog with no appetite to eat, you need to keep an eye out for the signs of dehydration. Look for:
- Sunken eyes
- Tacky, dry gums
- Lethargy
- Loss of skin elasticity you can test this by pinching the skin on the top of your dog’s head; if it springs back quickly he is well hydrated, if it moves back in place slowly you need to bring him to the vet for IV fluids right away.
Hopefully, you’ll realize quickly if your dog is not drinking enough fluids. Make sure there is plenty of fresh, clean water available for him. If he won’t drink, try adding 1 tablespoon of low sodium beef or chicken broth to his water dish. Dogs are enticed by a strong scent, and adding a small amount of broth to Fido’s water dish may just be the motivation he needs to take a drink.
RELATED:;18 Tips On How To Save Money on Dog Care, Vet Bills and Meds
Digestive Upset Or Obstruction
Puppies are notorious for eating things they shouldnt, and unfortunately, many puppy owners intentionally give their dogs snacks and treats that they shouldnt. Some snacks and treats, whether stolen by your puppy or given freely by you, can cause digestive upset as well as obesity and begging later in life. They may even cause your puppy to reject the healthier and balanced dog foods they should be eating!
You can greatly decrease the chance of your pup sneaking their own treats by puppy-proofing your home and teaching them not to counter surf. And even if neither of you is doing anything naughty, some puppy foods can just be too rich for some dogs, and every puppy will handle certain foods differently.;
If your pup is having diarrhea for more than 12 hours, they are at risk for dehydration. The risk for dehydration increases if your puppy is also vomiting.
It is time to seek medical attention if:
Exercise Your Dog Regularly
Dogs usually get hungry after theyve been active. Burning calories works up an appetite, so the busier you can keep your dog, the less you need to worry about him not eating his food.
Take your canine outside for a good walk before you serve him his meal. This will help with his hunger and eventually take care of any eating issues. You can even turn this into a daily routine, so your dog will associate his walks with his meals.
Narrowing Down The Problem
First things first, you;will want to make sure there are no health reasons which may be causing them to lose interest in their food. In particular, watch out for sudden changes in your dogs behavior, weight loss, or signs of pain. You may even want to schedule a visit with your vet to consult them on them matter just to be sure that your dog has a clean bill of health!
Once you feel confident that everything is OK physically, you may want to consider a different brand of food or protein source. Even if you are already feeding a premium food, some dogs will simply have a taste preference. We have switched up brands of food several times over the years as our boys developed a lack of interest in it even after eating it for years prior!
TIP: Many pet food stores actually have a policy that allows you to return open bags of food if your dog will not eat them!
Did You Switch Dog Foods
Transitioning from one dog food to another too quickly can cause stomach upset, which may mean that your dog doesnt feel like eating. Its important to transition foods gradually over 7-10 days in order to avoid stomach upset. This also allows your dog to get used to the new food over time, rather than making a sudden switch.
Medical Causes For Anorexia In Dogs
Medical causes of anorexia include any condition or illness that causes a dog to not want to eat. They can include hundreds, maybe even thousands, of potential issues. The medical disorders that can cause anorexia include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, kidneys, airway, lung or blood, and anything that can cause pain. Information about some of the most common causes include:
- Gastrointestinal Diseases â The gastrointestinal tract includes the system that takes food in, processes it, and eliminates it. This includes everything from the mouth, esophagus , the stomach, the small intestine, and finally the large intestine. A disease of any of these areas can cause a dog to not want to eat and are commonly associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract include infections of the bacterial, viral, or parasitic variety. Examples of infections are hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and viruses, such as coronavirus or parvovirus. Additional diseases of the GI tract include tumors, such as cancer, ulcerations, inflammatory diseases, food allergies, ingestion of indigestible objects that cause a âforeign bodyâ, ingestion of spoiled food or trash, or even changes in food. Diseases of the mouth, such as bad teeth or ulcerations, can also cause pain and lack of appetite.
He Doesnt Like His Food
Some dogs are just plain picky. If you have ever been in charge of a toddler, youll be familiar with this refusal to eat certain foods. Your pup is not unhealthy or in danger; hes just fussy! That can be really annoying and frustrating, but you cant force your fur baby to eat something they dont like.
Is Your Dog A Puppy
A young, healthy puppy shouldnt go more than a few hours without eating.
Small breed puppies, especially, are at a high risk of hypoglycemia and should be watched closely for signs of lethargy or collapse if they are not eating. If this happens, they should be treated on an emergency basis.
Some puppies may not like larger kibble, as it can be hard for their puppy teeth to chew, especially if they are just transitioning to solid food. This can be remedied by mixing in water and letting it soak to create more of a porridge consistency, or the kibble can be mixed with canned food as well.
If your puppy still will not eat, they should be seen right away by a veterinarian. If they are also lethargic, vomiting, or having diarrhea, they should be seen on an emergency basis.
Deflect Your Dogs Attention From Food
Most dogs overeat, because of the same reasons most humans do – because they enjoy eating, and food is delicious. One way to stop your dog from begging for food is by diverting their attention to something more exciting.This can also help you feel less guilty for not giving into their adorable demands. Instead of re-feeding your dog, try taking them outside for a long walk, play with them on the ground, or spend some time brushing their fur out. It only takes about 15 minutes of spending quality time with your puppy to make them completely forget they wanted more food in the first place.
Why Wont My Dog Eat Dry Dog Food
Is your dog not eating dry food? There are a lot of different reasons why a dog may turn up his nose at his food. Refusing to eat dry dog food could just mean that your dog is a picky eater, but it also could be a sign of a more serious health problem. If your dog wont eat dry food, here are some steps you can take to help get him eating again.
Who Could Blame A Dog For Not Wanting To Eat Rotten Food
What You Can Do
It is imperative that you get your dog back to eating his regular food before health problems arise. The more you let him get away with eating only treats, the more he wont want to go back to his regularly scheduled kibble.
Luckily, there exist quite a few solutions to your problem that you can and should try!
Dogs Crave Variety Too
You might notice that your dog happily eats her food when you open a new bag, but after a few weeks, she seems to get bored of it.
Few people seem to know that dog food starts to go bad once you open it. Dry kibble is coated with oils that go rancid, especially once the food is exposed to air. This becomes even more of a problem if you take the food out of the bag and store it in a container, and even worse if you never wash that container.
So, if your dog only wants to eat from a new bag of food, it could be that she craves new flavors, but it could also be because the food is going bad, even if you cannot see or smell a difference.
Always store your dogs food in the original bag, and use a bag clip keep it fresh. If you buy more than 2-weeks supply at once, store some of it in the freezer.
Alternatively, a container with a spout like this one from Buddeezz stores a bag of food in its original packaging. Its airtight, so it can help the food stay fresher longer and keeps bugs out.
Making Your Own Dog Food
Check Out The Best Selling Raw Dog Food
Of course, there was lots of advice about feeding dogs long before there was commercial dog food. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of it was similar to what we know about feeding dogs today. For example, some owners were advised to give their dogs liver and heart from deer, along with milk, cheese, and bread . Beloved pets usually ate better than yard dogs.
Today we have come full circle and many owners like the idea of making their dogs meals instead of feeding them a commercial diet. There are a number of benefits of making your dogs food.
How To Stop This From Happening Again
Many pet owners ask, âHow can I avoid having a dog that wonât eat or will only eat their treats?â The answer is to avoid underlying causes and monitor your petâs diet. For example, if your dog is not eating because they got into the trash, ate some spoiled food, or have an upset stomach, the recommendation would be to ensure that your dog doesnât have access to the trash can. Another example is, if your dog is not eating due to pain from arthritis, work with your veterinarian to treat and prevent pain.
Additional Articles of Interest Relating to Food for Dogs that Wonât Eat:
How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop
Veterinarians and dog owners have seen improvements with a handful of strategies, including:
- Vitamin supplementation:;Theres been a long-standing theory that dogs eat feces because they are missing something in their diets, so a dog multivitamin could be helpful. Vitamin-B deficiency, in particular, has been a prime suspect, and studies have backed this up. In 1981, scientists showed fecal microbial activity synthesized thiamine, a B-vitamin. Other research found other missing nutrients.
- Enzyme supplementation:;The modern canine diet is higher in carbohydrates and lower in meat-based proteins and fats than the canine ancestral diet. Some people have had success with a meat tenderizer that contains papain, an enzyme.
- Taste-aversion products:;The theory is that certain tastes and smells are as disgusting to dogs as the idea of stool eating is to us, so adding a poop-eating deterrent to food or treats will make the poop thats being produced less appealing. Many of these products contain monosodium glutamate, chamomile, pepper-plant derivatives, yucca, garlic, and parsley. Just remember to treat all the dogs in a multi-dog household if theres a poop-eating problem!
Perhaps the best way to stop the problem is through training and environmental management methods, including:
Why Do Dogs Need Homemade Food
Makers of commercial dog food products may want you to believe otherwise, but feeding your dog with homemade food is actually good for him.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that you can personally choose the ingredients to be used in the dog food. This is very critical if your dog has allergies, or you just want to spare him from consuming certain ingredients.
You can also be assured that the food you are giving him is 100% safe. In times when dog food recalls due to possible contamination have become a very common occurrence, you will have peace of mind knowing that the food your dog is eating wont make him sick.
It is also possible to save time and effort when you prepare your dogs food. Preparing foods in large branches would let you do so, as you would be able to freeze smaller portions which you can feed to your dog later on.
Of course, you get to benefit from preparing your dogs food, too. While preparation may take up time, you can save a lot of money in the long run especially if you buy ingredients in bulk.