Why is My Dog Not Eating? – 5 Things to Know (diagnose + symptoms)

Why is My Dog Not Eating?

There are several reasons for why your dog isn’t eating right. Some are serious, such as a disease, while others are merely due to the pet owner’s behavior.

To diagnose the cause of your dog’s lack of appetite, you should check out the following symptoms: High-grade fever, lethargy, diarrhea, and a bulging stomach.

Occasionally, your pet might be experiencing a behavioural issue, like a bad habit or a change in routine.

Changes in routine

If your dog has stopped eating, a change in routine could be the culprit. Some dogs hate change and will refuse to eat when it isn’t in its normal routine.

Adding a new family member or pet or moving to a new home can all disrupt your dog’s routine and make it feel uncomfortable. In such cases, your dog may not eat until you give him or her time to adjust.

A decline in appetite is a common symptom of significant illness. It could be a sign of kidney, liver, or diabetes. It could also be an indication of an infection or even pyometra, a type of intestinal worm.

Your veterinarian can perform a series of diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of your dog’s lack of appetite.

During these tests, they’ll likely run a blood test on your dog.

Changes in diet

While a change in diet may be the primary culprit, you may also want to take your dog to the vet if the changes you are trying are making your dog’s tummy upset.

A veterinarian will be able to determine what the underlying cause of your dog’s poor appetite is and give you the best course of action. In the meantime, you can try some of the tips below to get your dog to eat again.

Your dog might be refusing to eat if you change the food he’s eating. If your dog refuses to eat, he may be feeling queasy and ate something he doesn’t like. If this is the case, he should bounce back soon. But even if your dog does bounce back quickly, he’s better off with a change in diet.

Chemotherapy

If your dog is not eating after chemotherapy, it could be because he is experiencing nausea and vomiting. To alleviate these side effects, you should feed your dog a small amount of food the evening before the treatment.

Once the treatment is complete, your dog can return to eating normally. During the chemotherapy, your pet may be drowsy.

Your veterinarian may also give your pet some medications to help it cope with chemotherapy. These medications can be given on an as-needed basis or in a timely manner.

When handling chemotherapy pills, make sure to wear medical latex gloves. These gloves are available at your local pharmacy. The pills are often disguised in foods, such as peanut butter or cream cheese.

While most animals tolerate chemotherapy well, you should be aware of the side effects to limit your dog’s exposure.

In some cases, a small amount of side effects may be worse than those you observe. To prevent this from happening, follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian.

Medication

There are many causes for your dog not to eat, but most likely the main reason is a medical problem. Your pet may be experiencing a mild stomach upset or even a more serious ailment, like cancer. Sometimes the cause is behavioral in nature.

If your dog isn’t eating, try giving it warm liquids or treats like warm water. Some dogs are social eaters and need your attention to eat. If you notice a decrease in appetite after administering medication, visit a veterinarian as soon as possible.

You can also try hiding the medication in something palatable, such as peanut butter. This way, your dog will think it is a treat and be more likely to take it. Some veterinarians even provide palatable tablets that are less unpleasant to swallow.

A good way to disguise a pill is to put it in a gelatine capsule, which dogs prefer over chalky tablets. You can hide the medication in a tasty treat and give it the same amount as you would give to a human.

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