Dog Not Eating Why Your Dog Isn’t Eating & What You Can Do
Aly WalanskyAug 06, 2020â23 min read
Think of your dogâs favorite meal. Maybe itâs chicken, or salmon, or a kibble that they canât resist. When your dog gets a mere whiff of the food, they likely come rushing towards you to get a bite. Therefore, on the rare occasions that your dog is not interested in eating their favorite meal, you have reason to be concerned that something is wrong.
As a responsible pet owner, it is your job to ensure that your dog is properly cared for. Sometimes this requires a proactive approach, but oftentimes, such as in this one, it requires a more reactive approach.
In the case that you notice that your dog’s food bowl hasn’t been touched, there are likely several things that are racing through your head. You might be wondering: is my dog okay? Is there something wrong? Are they sick or ill?
Of course, thatâs understandable. As a pet parent, deeply care about your canineâs health and well-being. Nevertheless, before you panic, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that your dog is safe and well.
It is also important to keep this fact in mind: just because your dog is not eating like they usually do, doesnât necessarily mean they are in grave danger. Itâs easy to see the loss of appetite and assume your pet is sick, but they could be perfectly fine. Loss of appetite can be something as minor as an upset stomach or something as serious as cancer.
Best High Protein Dog Kibble
High protein kibble is a super popular option. The carbohydrate-heavy nature of dog kibble has contributed to the large population of obese dogs. Switching to a high-protein kibble is a highly recommended way to start a weight loss routine for your dog.
Here are a few of our favourite high protein dog kibble brands:
Orijen
This awesome Canadian brand uses regionally sourced ingredients to biologically appropriate dog food. To preserve nutrients and taste, these meat-rich and high-protein formulas are cooked at low temperatures, much lower than the industry standard.
Orijen kibble formulas range in protein from 38-42%, so this brand is on the high end of the protein scale. They also boast 70-80% of that protein comes from animal sources, so your pooch will get all the benefits of a high protein, low carb kibble dog food.
Go! Solutions Carnivore
Go! Solutions is another one of our Canadian partners. They source ingredients all over North America and New Zealand to ensure only the best quality nutrients. The word solution is right in the name, so go! is a great brand for solving diet-related issues in dogs.
The Carnivore line is made with the needs of carnivores in mind. With protein contents ranging from 32-36%, go! Solutions Carnivore offers a range of protein and life-stage options to provide high proteins dog food to suit your dogs unique needs.
Horizon Legacy
Stella & Chewys Raw Coated Kibble
Ate Something They Shouldn’t Have
Puppies love to get into things and often end up with objects in their intestines/stomachs that they cannot pass this is called a foreign body. âSymptoms of a foreign body include loss of appetite or not being able to keep anything down , and lethargy,â says Davis.
If you suspect that your dog ate a foreign body or toxic object, your first instinct should be to bring them to a vet. The faster you get your dog medical attention, the better odds they have of making a full, complete recovery.
âA foreign body can be fatal and may require surgery or treatment to pass the object, so it is imperative you go to the vet clinic once you notice a pair of socks is missing, and your dog looks quite guilty and miserable!â says Davis.
Check out some common foods that are toxic to dogs so you can avoid them.
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Is Apple Skin And Core Safe For Dogs
Most dog lovers ask can dogs eat apples with skin? Actually, People may not realize that the skin and core of an apple both contain toxins, which could be dangerous to a dog who has oral contact with them.
The core is much higher in toxins than the peel. If you cut the apple in such a way as to completely remove it when eating it or when giving it to your dog, this should not present a problem.
Alternatively, you can simply feed apple pieces without the skin or strip out just part of the peel and leave some on.
The skin contains a compound called solanine, which can cause all sorts of gastrointestinal upset and neurological problems in dogs. The amount present in each apple varies depending on the variety and even how ripe the apple happens to be when picked from the tree. The higher the concentration of this toxin, the darker green the skin.
Most dogs are not going to eat enough apple peel to cause a problem, but if you do offer your pet more than one piece of apple peel, there is a potential risk of toxicity. This is especially true for small breeds who seem to enjoy playing with their food before eating it.
If your dog consumes the whole apple, the risk of toxicity is much greater, so you should monitor them closely for several hours after eating their meal to be on the safe side.
Can A Border Collie Be A Good Pet
Border Collies can make great pets but they do have intense personalities at times. They do best with an owner who is committed to doing things with their dog to keep him mentally and physically happy. A Border Collie will not be happy just relaxing at home all the time. They are definitely on-the-go, active dogs.
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Best Performance Dog Food
If you have a working breed, then performance dog food may be a better option for building and maintaining muscle mass for your active pooch. Performance dog food is the most calorie-dense option and provides energy from high protein and high-fat content.
This style of diet will superload a highly active dog with the calories and nutrients they need to maintain their natural energy levels and normal routines. Working dogs that arent fed a performance diet can end up being underweight because their metabolism will burn through calories faster than they can take more in.
When it comes to performance diets, you can find performance dog kibble diets, or you can feed a whole prey raw diet.
What Should I Feed My Dog
A dogs diet can have a big impact on their health. It is important to feed your pet the right food, in the correct amounts.
Dog owners should put careful thought into what they are feeding their dogs because of this. The following tips will help you understand how much and what type of food to give to your canine companion without risking their health.
A dogs dietary needs depend on their breed, size, activity level, age and health. Some breeds need more or less food than others.
Smaller dogs also eat much less than large breeds in general. Active dogs will consume more calories than those who do not get regular exercise
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Alternatives To Chicken And Rice
There are reasons why you may consider feeding your dog an alternative to rice and chicken when they are under the weather.
One of the reasons could be they are constipated. The following are some of the alternatives to chicken and rice:
Pumpkin For Dogs
If your dog has an upset stomach, pumpkin is another great food for them especially if they are constipated.
Since it is high in fiber, it helps with regulating the digestive system. It is also high in essential minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, B6, and E, iron, niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.
If your dog is constipated, add two tablespoons of pumpkin to their rice and chicken meal. Ensure that the pumpkin does not have any seasonings as they are toxic.
Bone Broth
If your dog is not doing well with solid food, feeding them bone broth will maintain their strength until they are ready to eat something solid.
It will also help in bringing back their appetite. You can use either chicken legs or beef bones to make the broth.
Baby Food
Since human baby food is designed for easy digestion, it is a good alternative.
If your dog is allergic to chicken, you can feed them the meat-based meals of the stage II variety. Check the ingredient list to ensure that there are no spices or seasonings added.
Commercial Dog Food Alternative
If you cannot prepare the chicken and rice at home, you can purchase a âbland dietâ that is already prepared for you.
Australian Shepherd Homemade Dog Food Risks
Here are some risks associated with homemade food that Australian Shepherdsowners should be aware of.
- Not understanding the nutritional needs of Australian Shepherds
- Using inadequate or dangerous recipes
- Not preparing a balanced meal
- Using unsafe or harmful ingredients
- Not understanding the impact of food and dietary changes
- Not understanding your dogs life stages nutritional needs
- Neglecting your dogs health conditions
A study by the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary found that most homemade dog food recipes lack key essential nutrients, and other recipes used dangerously high levels of some nutrients.
Even more shocking, research published in The Journal of Nutritional Science concluded 48% of homemade diets had an imprecise determination of ingredients and quantities and that 71.3 % of dog owners did know how much food to serve per meal. Whats more alarming is that 30.4% of the pet parents admitted to purposely changing the recipe, 40% of owners didnt measure the proportions of the ingredients well enough, and 28.3% didnt use any of the recommended vitamins, minerals, or amino acid.
In a survey published in the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine, vets reported 97% of obesity cases in dogs could be traced to how owners fed and played with their pets.
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How Much Food Does Your Dog Need
The perfect amount of food for your pet isnt always what is in the pack. Take a critical look at your pet while hes still there and make sure his nutritions perfect. The question that I asked last year was whether or not your dog would benefit from eating high quality food. Continue reading for additional tips on when or what dog eating should be done.
Australian Shepherd Calorie Requirements
Dog caloric needs are based on their weight. An adult Australian Shepherd dog usually weighs between 40 and 65 pounds, so most Aussie dogs would need to eat between 983 and 1418 calories per day.
Make sure you follow the 10% rule when feeding treats to your dog. Food would equal 90% of the total calories and treat the remaining 10%.
For instance, if an Australian Shepherd weighs 55 lbs. Then, it would need 1248 calories per day. If you feed your pup treats, thats 1123 calories in food and 125 in treats . Usually, full-grown dogs eat two meals per day, so split 1248 calories into two meals a day. You can use this calculator to find the exact caloric needs for your dog based on his weight.
Pregnant Australian Shepherds may require 2 to 4 times the food they usually have as the mothers energy requirements increase after delivery and during lactation. Be sure to speak to your vet.
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Give Your Dog A Treat
If your dog hasnt been feeling well, you could try treating your dog with food they dont normally get. Human food like chicken or even baby food may be so irresistible that your dog will actually eat something. Try just a small amount of human food at first to see if they will eat. If not, try adding a bit more.
You should mix this in with their existing dry food to encourage them to eat their normal diet along with the treat. Just be sure not to overindulge your dog in these treats as it can negatively affect their health.
What Nutritional Requirements Exist For Dogs
When choosing which food to buy, youll want to understand the nutritional needs of your dog and how they may differ from other dogs. If you have a new puppy youll need food specifically formulated for young, growing pups. Or if you have a dog on the small or large end of the spectrum there will be a specific formula more suited to your dogs needs.
To ensure that youre buying food that contains all of the vitamins and nutrients your dog needs, look on the label for the words complete and balanced. This is a term the FDA uses to regulate dog and cat food nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials . The ability to feed your dog one food that contains all the vitamins and nutrients they need is an advantage over feeding your dog a raw diet, which may then require additional vitamin supplements.
One supplement you might want to include in your dogs daily diet regardless of the dog food you choose is omega-3 fatty acids. Just like in humans, your dog needs a balance of omega-3 and omega-6. The imbalance comes from a high amount of omega-6 which is found in most manufactured dog foods. If youre feeding your dog commercial food, you should consider adding an omega-3 supplement to correct the imbalance.
Your dog needs omega-3 for a variety of reasons including:
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How Long To Feed Puppy Food Dog Feeding Fundamentals For You
Fact checked by Kidadl Team
It is important to stop feeding puppy food at the right time and offer suitable pet food to maintain nutritional balance in your dogs.
The switch from puppy food to adult food is an important step in your pets life. Only pet foods with quality ingredients will make the transition to adult food simpler.
Puppy food makes sure that your little furry friends has a complete and balanced diet. Feeding human babies is easy because we know what they will like and how much will satisfy their nutritional requirements. But when it comes to feeding baby animals, very few people are knowledgeable. The people with the most knowledge are include veterinarians. But if you are adopting a baby animal, understanding their nutritional needs in different life stages is very essential. What to feed them and what not to should be thoroughly learned because most animal babies have sensitive digestive systems. Puppies are no exception to this. That is why knowing how long to feed puppy food and when to switch puppy to dog food is necessary.
After you have read about the nutrition-related requirements of your dogs, do read how many eyes do flies have and how many eyes do bees have?
A Guide For Picking The Right Food For Your Dog
When bringing a new dog into your world, one of the bigger decisions youll want to check off your list right away is what kind of dog food to buy. The blessing and the curse of picking out dog food is that you will not be lacking for choices. Were here to help you navigate the dog food landscape so that you are fully prepared before bringing your new dog home.
As dog owners, we want the absolute best for our pups to provide them with a long, happy life, and this starts with feeding them balanced, healthy meals. Dogs bodies, like humans, are unique. Whats best for your dog can be completely different than whats best for someone elses dog.
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How Long Should I Feed My Dog Chicken And Rice
The veterinarian will advise you on the signs to look out for to know when your dog is ready to transition to regular food from rice and chicken.
Normally, your dog should only be on a strict rice and chicken diet for up to three days. There are exceptions such as when your dog is recovering from surgery, or it is part of an elimination diet.
Best Homemade Dog Food Cooking Practices
Be sure to follow the food safety guidelines below. If you arent aware of these things, you could cause serious harm to your dog.
- Never use unsafe or toxic ingredients for dogs
- Use only boneless meats
- Cook all animal products thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria
- Cook all grains, beans, and starchy vegetables to make them easier to digest
- Research every ingredient before using it for safety
- Follow recipes as instructed
- Add supplements to their diet if needed
- Run any questions by a vet nutritionist
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Read The Instructions On Any Medication
Some medications can reduce a dogs appetite. If your dog is on antibiotics or on any other medication, this may be the culprit. Make sure you carefully read all instructions and then wait at least fifteen minutes before offering your dog food. By waiting, youll ensure that the medicine has hit your dogs stomach and coated it fully before any food arrives.
Open The Food Bag Prudently:
- Whenever open the food bag, use scissors or knife to get a tidy, and consistent tearing of the bag.
- After pouring the food into the dogs bowl, compressing the bag and remove all the air from the bag and zip it or seal with clip completely so that no air will inject inside the food for making them spoiled.
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Proteins Amino Acids And Fibers
Chicken has a complete profile of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins.
Chicken in the stomach is broken down by enzymes and hydrochloric acid into smaller chains of amino acids which are then absorbed into the body to help with tissue repair. Chicken is not a caloric-dense food, so your dog can eat plenty of chicken but may not gain weight.
On the other hand, rice is rich in fiber, vitamin D, riboflavin, and iron that your dog needs. Vitamin D helps in regulating phosphorus and calcium levels.
Iron helps in the formation of hemoglobin in the red blood cells which aids in delivering nutrients throughout the body. Rice helps in regulating bowel movements by promoting the growth of good bacteria.