What You Need To Know If Your Dog Won't Eat
Your dog can't easily tell you when he isn't feeling well, so as a good pet parent it's up to you to keep a watchful eye on your pooch's health. One of the more alarming signs that all isn't well is when your dog refuses to eat. The following can help you know what to do when your pup refuses to eat, as well as when it is time to contact an animal hospital.
Check for signs of distress
Emergency health issues usually make themselves known through other symptoms beyond the refusal to eat. If your dog seems overly lethargic, is having difficulty breathing, or if he has been vomiting repeatedly, you need to contact your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Other causes for concern include constipation, diarrhea, or blood in the feces or urine. If your dog vomits once but then seems fine, you don't need to be overly concerned but do keep a watchful eye on the pup. Just like people, dogs sometimes get an upset stomach. As long as there are no other signs of distress and your dog is drinking water, rest is all that may be needed.
Consider your pup's recent diet
If the problem isn't a health issue, then it could be your dog has filled up on other food items. Have you been giving your dog more treats than usual, or perhaps you changed to a new treat that is more filling for your dog? Table scraps can also lead to what appears to be loss of appetite for kibble but is really just a dog that is filling up on people food. Try cutting back on treat and table scraps to see if that helps your pup's appetite rebound.
Tempt with something special
Dogs can be stubborn. It's not uncommon for a dog to refuse to eat their kibble if they had a bad experience with food recently. Whether it was something unsavory in the pet food or a bad fright at dinner time, your dog may be a bit bowl shy. Recent tummy upset could also be the cause. This isn't unlike a human being hesitant to eat a full meal after a bad a case of food poisoning. Mix a treat in with the kibble to see if that lures your dog back to their food bowl. In some cases, you may need to change to a different food or a different flavor of food if they are still a bit wary of eating.
For more help, talk to your vet.
Do you absolutely adore animals? Perhaps, you frequently welcome abandoned dogs or cats into your home that you find in the streets. When you rescue an animal, be sure to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian as quickly as possible. This professional can run some tests on your new pet to make sure he or she doesn’t have a disease or other type of medical condition. A veterinarian can also recommend any vaccinations or medications your cat or dog may need. Your veterinarian can spay or neuter your new pet if you would like him or her to. On this blog, I hope you will discover how a veterinarian can protect both you and the abandoned animal you’ve brought into your home. Enjoy!