You may be equal parts worried and distressed that your dog will not eat despite your efforts to bring back its appetite, such as giving more treats as bribes, changing the brand of dog food, and making homemade dog food, among others. Your dog begins to exhibit the physical and mental signs of food deprivation including weight loss and depression, which only adds to your frustrations.
Instead of worrying so much, keep in mind the basis for judging your dog’s appetite in relation to the recommendations stated on the dog food labels. You have to remember that the amount of dog food recommended for feeding on these labels are just averages for the general dog population – many perfectly healthy dogs will only eat 60% to 70% of the recommended amount stated on the dog food’s packaging. Your worries may be unfounded when your dog is actually eating the right amount for its breed, age and physical condition!
Why Your Dog Lost Its Appetite
But when your dog will not eat for prolonged periods despite your best efforts, you have reason to suspect anorexia, a canine condition characterized by a complete loss of appetite in dogs; anorexia in dogs is different from anorexia nervosa in humans. Your dog may not touch its food for two days without experiencing significant side effects but you should address the issue as soon as possible. You have to remember, too, that anorexia in dogs can be caused by an underlying medical condition requiring prompt and appropriate veterinary attention.
Anorexia in dogs has a wide range of causes including:
1. Illness
Partial or complete loss of appetite in dogs can be a sign of illness especially when it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and halitosis. The illness can range from periodontal disease to kidney failure, cancer, and liver issues, all of which require prompt medical attention. You should avoid diagnosing and treating your dog’s health issues since your do-it-yourself methods will likely result in more harm than good.
2. Behavior issues
Look at the possibility that your dog’s partial or complete loss of appetite may be caused by behavioral issues. Keep a food diary of your dog’s eating habits, environment, and actions so that you can discuss these matters with your pet’s veterinarian. For example, your dog may just be a picky eater, or you may be feeding it in uncomfortable situations (e.g., around an aggressive dog), or your dog may have difficulty accessing its bowl.
3. Recent vaccinations
While vaccinations for many contagious canine diseases have saved lives, these can also have adverse effects including temporary loss of appetite. Your vet may be able to prescribe medications to bring back your dog’s appetite but you should not worry too much about it since it is temporary in nature.
4. Unfamiliar surroundings usually due to travel or relocation
Your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety when traveling or relocating, which results in its nervousness, loss of appetite, and motion sickness. You have reason to be concerned when its loss of appetite extends well beyond the normal acclimatization or adjustment to the new surroundings.
When in doubt, you should discuss the possibilities with your veterinarian. Two heads are better than one in this case – your knowledge about your pet’s personality and preferences coupled with your vet’s knowledge about canine matters will redound to your dog’s benefit.
What to Do in Canine Anorexia
You and your pet’s veterinarian should discuss the best course of action. Since each case will be different, each treatment plan will be customized, too, in several aspects like the medications administered or changes in the diet.
Your dog’s veterinarian will suggest several of the following methods depending on the cause of anorexia:
In case of an illness, a prescription diet will be recommended in order to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. The underlying illness will also be addressed with a combination of medications, surgery, and home care methods, whichever applies.
When your dog still refuses to eat the prescription diet, your vet may take more drastic measures to counteract the anorexia. These include appetite stimulants, liquid diet administered via a syringe, and feeding tube insertion.
In case of behavioral issues, you have several options that you can apply to resolve the problem including:
- Cutting back on treats since these can further reduce your dog’s need to eat its proper meals
- Feeding on a regular schedule (i.e., at least 2 times a day)
- Changing the feeding environment, such as feeding your pet alone instead of with other dogs
- Adding fun to mealtimes, such as playing with a toy food dispenser
- Taking your pet for a relaxing walk before mealtime
- Experimenting with a different dog food
You may even try taking your dog to a professional grooming session at PetSmart since your dog may be under physical or mental stress. When it is relaxed, you will observe a change in disposition that can signal the start of its return to proper eating habits.
