Home remedies to open a dog’s appetite
A dog without an appetite can have several causes, from diseases to the use of poor quality food to feed the dog. Whatever the reason, it’s something you can’t ignore because in a short time your four-legged friend’s health will deteriorate.
- Veterinary care is essential in these cases.
- Especially in cases of disease.
- In Animal Expert we present some complementary treatments that you can add to those prescribed by the professional.
Before knowing which home remedies open a dog’s appetite, it is necessary to determine the cause of this behavior. Lack of appetite is normal in dogs, so be careful with the following reasons that may explain why your dog doesn’t want to eat anything.
Stress can be a trigger for the dog to stop eating, as well as causing various diseases or destructive behaviors. The causes are varied, from routine changes (moving, adopting another pet, having a baby, among others) to anxiety about boredom or lack of exercise.
Indigestion is another reason that can reduce your four-legged partner’s appetite, either because discomfort prevents him from eating, or because he prefers to deprive himself of food for a reasonable period (no more than one day) to improve.
Other stomach problems, such as constipation, gas or diarrhea, can also reduce your dog’s desire to eat.
From a simple flu to more serious respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis, can cause loss of appetite in dogs. Mucus prevents the dog from correctly smelling the food and therefore does not attract it.
A dog infected with intestinal parasites will also refuse to eat, in addition to showing signs of general discomfort, vomiting, worms in the stool, among others, depending on the type of parasite causing the problem.
Another cause of an appetiteless dog may be the treatment of certain diseases, as it is possible that one of the side effects of the drugs is to decrease appetite. Don’t panic! Ask your veterinarian what to do depending on the medicine you are taking.
The pain caused by beatings, falls and injuries can lead to a dog with a lack of appetite. In the case of an injury that causes a change in behaviour, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian immediately.
Older dogs usually eat less. This is because they do less physical activity, so they save energy and don’t need to replenish it that quickly.
Cavities, tumors in the mouth, and blockages (an object trapped in the gums or throat) do not interfere with the dog’s appetite, but the pain or discomfort caused by these problems prevents him from chewing food.
It is very common for dogs to stop accepting food, especially when they receive poor quality food. This is not to say that they are tired of food, but if it does not meet their nutritional needs, if you are used to eating the same as you or if you follow a diet based solely on dry food, it is quite possible that at some point the dog may reject it.
Other possible reasons that can cause lack of appetite in dogs are
If your dog is over 24 years old without eating, you should take it to the veterinarian to determine the cause.
Having a sick dog at home involves a lot of care and attention, including not stopping eating. Food is important for healing because a dog that does not eat has less energy and feels weak, which is counterproductive in case of illness.
“How to open the appetite of the sick dog? It’s a common question in these cases, but don’t despair. There are several options and home remedies to stimulate the appetite in dogs that you can use in these cases. However, remember that none of these remedies replace veterinary care. They are alternative methods that you can use in addition to those recommended by the professional, provided that he approves them. These recommendations also apply to healthy dogs that do not wish to eat. Certainly In these cases, it is important to determine whether the problem is poor or poor quality food, since the best medicine for these dogs is to offer adequate nutrition.
Give your dog a different meal that catches his eye. You can serve your favorite dish in the bowl or try hot pieces of chicken or turkey. Another option is to dip the food with chicken broth or add some yogurt.
Broth and meat should be heated and offered to the dog when they are hot because hot food exudes more intense smells that catch your attention. Also, if the dog has the flu or snot, it will help the phlegm soften and expel.
A sick dog needs different foods that provide the extra energy needed to recover. Therefore, you should offer food based on each problem. For dogs with constipation problems, for example, offer high-fiber meals. Dogs with diarrhea need protein and hydration, so chicken broth is ideal for them, while phosphorus-rich foods are recommended for dogs with respiratory diseases.
You can also add mint and ginger to the water to keep your dog hydrated, another essential element when it comes to recovering.
Dog without an appetite? Once you’ve ruled out the possibility of illness, trauma, or dental problem, it’s time to check the food you’re provided to know what to do if your dog doesn’t eat.
The quality of the food you offer to your dog is very important. It’s not just about buying the flavor you prefer, it’s about getting quality brands that provide you with all the nutrients you need and in the right amounts.
Any change of food should be made gradually, without suddenly changing from one food brand to another.
Another option is to alternate dry food with wet dog food. Wet foods offer more intense odors and can be used to give your dog something else. Never mix wet and dry foods in the same serving, so it’s best to alternate them during the week.
If your dog doesn’t like canned food, try moistening the food with chicken broth or salmon oil. You’ll love that extra flavor!
To open your dog’s appetite, you can offer him other food. To do this, we recommend incorporating lean meats like chicken and turkey, unsalted ham, carrots, skimmed yogurt and fruit into your four-legged diet. Not only will it provide you with additional nutrients, but you’ll also like to try new things.
On the other hand, and from the previous point, a natural diet not only guarantees the quality of the products you offer to your dog, but allows the variety of the menu, which increases the richness of your diet. Also, home-cooked food, provided the menu is well established, promotes digestion, regulates intestinal transit, improves the condition of the skin, hair and overall health.
So, if your dog doesn’t want to eat and you don’t know what to do, or if none of the above options work, try this type of diet and see if your appetite returns. Again, remember to make the change gradually as sudden changes in the diet can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. As for the best type of home-cooked dog food, you have two options. The first is to follow a BARF diet based on raw foods or cook the products. Both are valid, depending on the origin of the meal, the time you have and the specific needs of each dog. Then, in our YouTube video, we share how to make natural dog food:
There are a number of reasons why a puppy may refuse to eat, from any disease to the actual transition process between breast or powdered milk and dry foods, or even a recent dose of vaccine. In any case, be sure to consult your veterinarian first. After that, try some of these home remedies for puppies who don’t want to eat.
A tired dog will have more appetite, so we recommend walking your dog and playing with it to expend all the energy. Ball, run and track games are among the most fun. Also, this may be a good time to start training.
If your puppy starts trying dry foods, you may not like the brand you bought or doesn’t suit. Remember to buy only pet food formulated for puppies, you can buy bags of half a kilo of several different flavors until you find what your four-legged friend likes.
For some puppies, the transition from milk to dry food is often complicated, so try to offer cans for puppies. The taste is more intense and striking, and the smooth texture can be exactly what your puppy needs. In addition, moistening food with water or chicken broth can also help the puppy eat.
Home-cooked food is another option if your dog doesn’t fit the food. To do this, as we said in the previous section, there are different diets, such as the BARF, that are based on adding ingredients from different groups of foods until you find a balance that provides your puppy with all the necessary nutrients and, at the same time, it is delicious. Ask your veterinarian how best to feed your puppy on a home-cooked diet.
If the problem is that your dog eats well but does not get fat or is very thin, it is necessary to consult the veterinarian to determine why it does not gain weight. After the visit to the specialist, if the dog is in perfect health, check the amount of daily food it gives and increase to see if that is why the dog does not gain weight. Also check the calories you eat and the calories you consume, because consuming less than you should or spending more than you eat can also make the dog very thin.
On the other hand, a very effective remedy for dogs that do not want to eat or that do not increase weight is to increase the number of meals daily. In other words, offer small amounts of food several times a day. This will give the dog the need to eat more, it will also improve the digestion and metabolism of nutrients. For more tips, see our article on fattening a dog.
If you want to read articles similar to Home Remedies to whet your dog’s appetite, we recommend that you visit our Food Problems section.