Dogs don't always finish their dry or wet food. The cause could be stress, picky eating, or lack of exercise. Fortunately, there are tips to increase appetite and stimulate dogs to eat. However, if your dog continues to refuse food or shows signs of fatigue or illness, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Improve Appetite
Step 1. Find the cause
There are many small reasons why dogs eat less. This reason may go away on its own, but you can still help your dog get through it. If none of the following disorders are appropriate for your dog's situation, you should contact your veterinarian or consider a medical cause.
- Some dogs feel nauseous while traveling. Some find it difficult to eat in a new environment, for example when moving house.
- Some dogs don't like being fed in uncomfortable situations. Always try to keep the dog's plate in the same place, at a comfortable height, and away from other pets who try to eat from the dog's plate.
- Dogs may react to the arrival or departure of other pets or family members.
- The reasons a dog won't eat may be trivial, such as a change in furniture or a house renovation.
- Some dogs do not want to eat because they seek the attention of their owners. If your dog is letting his food and seems to be seeking your attention, ignore this behavior. When feeding a dog, simply put the food down for 10 minutes, ignore the dog, then throw away any remaining food.
- Dogs may simply be picky about their food.
Step 2. Cut down on snacks and leftovers
Some dogs prefer to eat steak and mashed potatoes instead of dog food. Dogs will love you for giving them their favorite food, but over time they will become picky eaters and beg at the dinner table.
Monitor your children because they do not always understand and obey these rules
Step 3. Train the dog well
Regular exercise will stimulate your dog's appetite and encourage him to eat more. To maximize the impact of exercise on his appetite, take your dog for a walk before eating. Soon the dog will associate walks with mealtimes and you provide a positive relationship between the two activities.
- While some dogs need more exercise than others, ideally exercise should be done daily, or at least several times a week.
- If you can't participate in physical activity, there are other ways your dog can exercise. Take your dog to day care, use a dog walker, or go to a dog park and let your pet play with other dogs.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Dog's Eating Habits
Step 1. Feed at the same time
Feed your pet twice daily, or as recommended by your veterinarian. Some dogs prefer to eat a little later.
If your dog is healthy and very energetic, but gets distracted before the food is finished, leave it alone. Come back half an hour later and take the plate off, even if the food isn't finished. Soon the dog will come to his senses and look for food again
Step 2. Make mealtime fun
Invite the dog to play with toys that contain food. Teach your dog new tricks and give them a healthy treat or treat in return.
Step 3. Increase the delicacy of dog food
To increase your dog's appetite for food, try stirring a few tablespoons of canned dog food or pouring warm water or broth into the dog's food.
Otherwise, use dog gravy (broth for dogs). You can buy it at a pet store. This product is a grain that is mixed into dry food and warm water to make it taste even more delicious
Step 4. Change the dog's feeding situation
If your dog still won't eat, try some of these variations. You may need to be patient until your dog adapts, but this will help your dog in the long run:
- Keep other pets away when feeding the dog.
- Use a different bowl or place it at a comfortable height for the dog.
- Place food directly on the floor instead of using a bowl.
- Some dogs are easily distracted by the activities around them and have a hard time focusing on their food. Make sure the dog's plate and drink are in a quiet place so that the dog can eat in peace.
Step 5. Change the food
Try changing dog food brands, or switching to wet food. Schedule changes each week: mix new food with old food for a few days, then and for the next few days, and so on. This method is not too burdensome for the dog's digestion.
Changing the brand of dog food suddenly can cause frequent farts and diarrhea
Step 6. Keep the food fresh
Make sure all dog food is fresh and stored in closed containers to protect it from moisture and pests. Check the expiration date on dog food when buying and storing it.
Method 3 of 3: Taking Serious Appetite Loss
Step 1. Visit the vet if his appetite is dropping for no reason
If your dog normally eats voraciously and suddenly stops, you should see a doctor immediately. Dental problems, mouth sores, or more serious medical conditions can affect a dog's appetite.
The vet can also weigh the dog and determine a target weight the dog should reach
Step 2. Check for symptoms of the disease
If your dog is tired, lethargic, in pain, or has a distended stomach, dull coat, or rumbling sound from his stomach, take him to the vet immediately. If there are worms in the feces, it means the dog has parasites and should be examined by a veterinarian.
Step 3. Check the dog's torque
Torsion is when the dog's stomach twists like a knot. This condition is very serious and can lead to the death of a dog in a matter of hours. If you feel your dog is experiencing torsion, roll the pet over to its side and push on its stomach gently in several places. Unnecessary agitation is a sign of torsion and should be taken to the doctor immediately.
Do not overplay, run, or engage in strenuous activities for at least an hour after eating. These things can cause torque
Step 4. Pay attention to the dog's teeth
Gently pull the dog's lips up and examine the teeth. If something is missing, or it looks very brown, smells, or has a lot of sediment, the dog may be in too much pain to eat. Take it to the vet if any teeth are loose, badly fractured, missing, or fallen out.
Your vet can teach you how to clean your dog's teeth regularly
Step 5. Feed the doctor prescribed food
Your veterinarian may recommend a special diet to address your dog's health problems. Your pet may not like his diet, but make sure his nutritional needs are met.
Step 6. Consult a veterinarian if nothing else works
If your dog refuses his special diet, or if his health is getting worse, see your veterinarian immediately. The dog may need further medication or a liquid diet.
Tips
- While feeding leftovers from the table isn't great for dogs, there are many healthy "human foods" that can make great treats for dogs, such as plain rice (white or brown), cooked chicken and eggs, peanut butter, and a variety of vegetables. and fruit, such as sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, and squash. Keep in mind, these foods must be given in appropriate portions to maintain a balanced diet of dogs.
- One great way to fatten up an underweight dog is to give him fat balls. This meal is high in fat and is easy to make at home from hamburgers, wheat germ, eggs, oil, and other ingredients. You can find many recipes for this dish on the internet.
