Bowl Change To Spark Interest In Kibble
Your puppy may need a bowl change. Instead of going out and buying a new bowl though, try putting their food straight onto the ground, as long as you have hard floors. If they eat off the floor, then look for a new bowl, perhaps of a different color. If they didnt have a metal bowl beforehand we recommend them as theyre less likely to cause any allergies.
Why Not Eating Dry Food Occurs In Dogs
Problems with dry food consumption may originate in three parts of your dogs body. Your dogs refusal to eat dry food can stem from a general systemic failure, in which the need for hydration drives your dog to seek moist food. Your dog may have difficulty digesting dry food. There can also be various problems within your dogs mouth that make it painful for him to process hard food.
Dehydration
A dogs lack of hydration affects his entire body. A dehydrated dog may have a dry nose, mouth, and gums, with sticky mucous membranes he may be tired, dull, and weak, he may pant more than normal and have a fast rapid-fire breathing pattern, and will be generally operating at a low capacity. Dehydration simply means that your dogs body is losing more water than it takes in, through panting, vomiting, or simply drinking less, possibly because of a deeper condition. This is more likely to occur in young, old, and nursing dogs, as well as small breeds.
Nausea
If your dog is nauseous, he has an upset stomach. This can occur as a reaction to illnesses, such as Parvovirus and gastroenteritis, or environmental causes, such as motion sickness, blockage of the intestines, or toxic exposure. Nausea is an equal-opportunity condition dogs of any age, breed, or sex can experience nausea.
Oral Conditions
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Your Dog Has A More Serious Illness
Infectious diseases, like parvovirus, or conditions such as pancreatitis can be other reasons for your dog not eating, says Teller. Your pup may even have a life-threatening illness like gastric dilatation and volvulus, which causes the stomach to twist up so nothing passesor even cancer. When your dog is really sick, shell probably also be lethargic, throw up a lot, have diarrhea or even bloody stools, or cough and sneeze. The time to worry is when your dog isnt behaving normally, especially if she refuses treats or people food or if her appetite waxes and wanes, McClosky notes. Then youll want to alert the vet statespecially if you see any of these 10 signs your dog is sick.
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Puppy Not Eating Causes And Treatment
The only thing scarier than your dog not eating may be your puppy not eating. This guide covers several common causes and treatments for why your puppy may not be eating due to behavioral or environmental reasons. We also cover some possible health reasons and signs of illness that you should review with your vet.
Organ Disease Or Dysfunction
Puppies can suffer from problems in their liver, kidneys, endocrine/hormonal system, and pretty much any other organ or part of their body. It can be the result of problems they were born with , an infection, toxic injury, or something else theyve picked up.
For example, puppies with liver shunts will have stunted growth, poor muscle development, abnormal behavior such as head pressing, seizures, circling, etc. They may also have vomiting, diarrhea, or abnormal appetites.
Acute kidney failure due to a toxin or infection can cause decreased appetite, abnormal urination, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, etc.
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How To Make Dry Dog Food More Appealing To Finicky Eaters
Dinner time for your dog! As soon as he hears that familiar rattle of the kibble hitting the bowl, hes sure to come running. The trouble is, some dogs are pickier eaters than others. Some dogs look in the bowl, then turn away once theyve given the kibble a sniff. What can you do? Should you try a different type of food?
Not necessarily. There are a lot of good reasons you might want to feed your dog dry food. By definition, kibble is typically cooked or steamed, which helps kill certain types of bacteria that may be present in raw foods. And dry dog food is easy to store and use, making it a choice that helps simplify busy lifestyles. Plus, kibble may help keep your dogs teeth and gums healthy.
If your dog has become bored with the taste or texture of plain kibble, there are some steps you can take. Lets look at five easy ways to make dry dog food more appealing to the finickiest of eaters.
Consider If You Have A Picky Eater
One of the most common reasons that a dog won’t eat kibble is because they just want something better. If you regularly give your dog other tastier foods, such as wet food or lots of dog treats, he may be refusing to eat dry food hoping that you’ll offer up something else. Dogs who are getting human food may also be less than satisfied with their dry food diet. If you think this may be the case, only offer your dog kibble for a few days and see if his appetite eventually picks up.
It’s also important to not reward your dog, even indirectly, for picky eating behaviour, such as giving them extra attention or attempting to hand feed them kibble. Dogs are smart, and it doesn’t take them long to learn that not eating results in more petting. If you have a dog who has learned to be a picky eater, it may take some time to extinguish that behaviour.
Some dogs are also pickier than others about taste and texture and just don’t care for what dry kibble has to offer. In this case, you may be able to entice your dog to eat more if you add a little wet food on top. Remember to decrease the amount of dry food if you go with this option to ensure you’re not overfeeding. It may also help to try a few different foods making sure to transition your dog slowly to see if there is one formula he prefers over the others.
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Why Is My Dog Not Eating
There are many reasons why a dog might not want to eat. Firstly, its worth saying that loss of appetite is one of the most common signs of illness, so if your dog hasnt eaten for 24 hours, then its best to call your vet, especially if there are any other troubling signs, like diarrhea or lethargy. Remember, you can contact Small Door vets 24/7 via the app.
Your Dog Is Holding Out
Does this sound like you? Your dog wont eat her favorite kibble, so you switch brands. When she stops gobbling that up, you dress it up with something yummier, like cheese or chicken. Pretty soon youre sitting next to your pooch coaxing her to take a bite, wondering, why is my dog not eating?It feeds into this attention-seeking behavior where the dog says, If I dont eat, my owner will give me something better,’ Bain explains.
Another variation: Youve gotten your dog used to people foodhand-fed from the table, says Teller. The solution? After you get the okay from your vet , put down her dish of plain dog food, and take it up after 15 minutes even if she doesnt eat it, suggests Bain. Try again in the evening, doing the same thing until your dog gets the memo. If table scraps are ruining your dogs appetite, feed her at a different time and keep her away from the table as you dine, Teller advises. Now find out these other things your dog wishes you knew.
- Lori M. Teller, DVM, clinical associate professor at the Texas A& M Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Megan E. McClosky, DVM, lecturer in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
- Melissa Bain, DVM, professor of clinical animal behavior at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
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Remember That Different Dogs Have Different Appetites
While it’s a common stereotype that dogs love to eat, it’s not true of every pup. Some dogs just don’t have much of an appetite, and as long as your dog is eating enough to stay at a healthy weight, it’s probably not something to be too concerned about. However, a sudden loss in appetite or a dog who is underweight might indicate the need for more direct intervention and should be checked out by a vet.
If your dog just seems to not be that hungry, consider whether they might be getting food from another source. Are other family members giving them treats or table food? Are they getting scraps from the trash? If your dog is getting calories elsewhere, he won’t be as hungry for his kibble.
Your Dog Swallowed Something
Eating something they shouldnt have could be another reason your dog wont eat. Dogs are voracious eaters, so they often scarf things down they shouldntlike toys, tennis balls, and even tampons. This is especially true if your dog is young and playful . One clue: If your pooch vomits or poops out pieces of, say, plastic, says McClosky. If he passes everything out, hell probably be OK. But if youve got a dog not eating and throwing up, he may have an obstruction in his intestines. Then the vet will have to do an ultrasound to see what got stuckand probably operate to get it out.
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What Is Salmon Oil
Salmon oil is the fat that has been extracted from the body tissue of the salmon fish, usually from left-over heads.
If it wasnt for the unmistakable fishy aroma, this oozing yellow/orange liquid could easily be mistaken for cooking oil.
Salmon oil is used as a supplement to add nutrients that may otherwise be lacking in your dogs diet. It is a nutritional powerhouse, and many owners swear by salmon oil for its health benefits. Ill go into detail on these health benefits in the next section.
Salmon oil is available in three dog-friendly forms:
1. Liquid salmon oil
The most common type of salmon oil, a greasy liquid that can be mixed in with your dogs food.
If you are buying liquid salmon oil, I highly recommend choosing a brand with a pump dispenser. Pumps make measuring out salmon oil easy. Pouring is messy, squeeze bottles are inaccurate and spray bottles clog.
Liquid salmon oil is sometimes used as a food topper. Think of it as a seasoning for dogs who may otherwise refuse to eat dry kibble.
Dose liquid salmon oil mixing it through your dogs dinner
2. Salmon oil capsules
These soft gelatin capsules contain salmon oil inside. Because salmon oil is sealed inside, you dont need to worry about your fingers smelling like fish or washing stinky salmon oil out of your dogs bowl.
Due to the cost and amount of salmon oil in each capsule, capsules are better suited to small dogs.
Dose salmon oil capsules by feeding directly to your dog or placing it in his food.
Psychological Causes For Anorexia In Dogs
Psychological causes of refusing to eat include things in a dogâs environment that caused them to not want to eat. There is no underlying medical issue or disease. Common examples of psychological anorexia include anything that changes a dogâs schedule or causes stress, including:
- New pets in the home
- New baby in the home
- Guests from out of town
- Moving to a new home
- A loud thunderstorm
- Remodeling or home construction
- Switching dog foods
- A change in schedules, such as a family member starting a job or becoming unemployed and staying home more frequently
- A family member leaving the homestead, such as a child going off to college
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Make Sure Youre Giving Your Dog A Healthy Diet
Occasionally the problem with a picky eater may be that they dont like the brand of food youre giving them. Or it may be that they prefer canned food over dry or vice versa. Both vets tell WebMD that a high-quality commercial brand is important for a healthy diet.
Check the ingredients, and make sure corn doesnt top the list. Murray says, Corn isnt an ideal diet for a carnivore.
If youve tried three brands and both canned and dry food, its time to look for another reason your dog refuses to eat. Most likely, they are holding out for table scraps.
Reserve treats for times when praise is necessary, such as in training. But remember, not all rewards have to be edible. If your dog loves attention, a scratch behind the ears is a treat, Murray says.
If you find that food treats get the best results, create some boundaries.
Continued
For instance, only give a treat after a trick, and always do it in the backyard.
Also, limit treats to three a week, and put them in a separate container so that the entire family knows how many have been given.
Its one thing if your dog knows he only gets certain things while hes training, Murray says. But its another if youre sitting in the kitchen reading a magazine and give your dog a treat because he looks cute.
Louise Murray, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM and director of medicine for ASPCAs Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, New York.
Pagination
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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.
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Whatever You Do Dont Ignore The Problem
Most of the reasons that your dog might turn up their nose at their food bowl are benign. However, you should always take canine anorexia seriously and rule out any dangerous causes before writing it off as an anomaly.
Once you locate the problem, you can take steps to solve it so your dog can get back on their feed and save you from wasting any more expensive kibble.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
My Dog Wont Eat Kibble Or Dry Food Anymore: What To Do
Give your dog something to look forward to add tasty meal toppers to kibble and dry food! We have 5 delicious flavors of healthy, fresh, human-grade dog food toppers, and you can sample them all in our meal variety pack!
At Portland Pet Food Company, we often hear my dog wont eat kibble or my dog wont eat dry dog food anymore, and there can be a number of factors that could be causing this.
Lets look at some of the most common reasons that could cause dogs to stop eating kibble or dry dog food.
IllnessOne of the primary reasons that dogs stop eating kibble or dog food is that they simply dont feel well. They might be under the weather from GI issues, digestive troubles, or some other medical problem. Particularly, if their disinterest in kibble or dry food coincides with symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, you should take them in for a vet visit.
Dental IssuesIf dogs have dental issues, it can be hard for them to chew food. Since most kibble and dry dog food is hard, the food could be making it painful to eat. Dental issues that can make eating difficult for dogs include: broken teeth, infected teeth or gums, gum disease, missing teeth, and oral injuries.
Picky EatersSome dogs are inherently picky eaters or have lower appetites than others, something which can often be seen when theyre young. Other dogs become picky eaters over time. Most dogs that are picky eaters, in general, tend to prefer wet food over kibble or dry dog food.
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The Dangers Of Herding Balls
Like all toys, herding balls can be dangerous when not used correctly, especially if your dog is a biter.
When you first buy your dog a solid plastic herding ball, the surface is smooth and round.
But if your dog aggressively pushes the ball with his teeth, bites into it, or scratches it with his paws, the surface will become rough and irregular. Eventually, your plastic herding ball will look similar to this
See those scratches and raised pieces of plastic?
When the ball rolls at a high speed, the coarse surface becomes as abrasive as an orbital sander. Ill bet you can imagine what happens to your pups teeth when they come into contact
Yep, they get worn down. This is particularly noticeable on the lower canines .
Yikes!
But dont panic just yet. There is a good chance that your pup wont experience the same teeth damage none of our testers did.
After interviewing many owners who attributed their dogs damaged teeth to a plastic herding ball, we noticed a trend. Dogs that experienced teeth issues herded the ball with their teeth.
They would run alongside the ball with an open mouth, attempting to bite, push or grip the ball with their teeth.
If your dog herds the ball with his body, feet or nuzzles the ball, then I have some good news for you:
Your dog wont experience the same teeth wear.