Your Dog Not Eating? 9 Methods to Help

It’s frustrating when your dog loses their appetite. You may be wondering why this is happening and what you can do about it. Fortunately, there are a few methods you can try to help get your dog’s appetite back on track.

Check for Dental Issues

If your dog suddenly stops eating, it could be due to dental pain or other oral health problems. As dogs age, they can develop tartar buildup, gingivitis, and tooth decay. If your dog is experiencing pain when eating, it may stop altogether. A trip to the vet for a teeth cleaning and check-up is a good idea to rule out any dental issues.

Change Their Diet

Sometimes, a change in diet is all it takes to jumpstart a dog’s appetite. If your dog is on a kibble diet, try switching to wet food or homemade meals. You might also want to consider adding some new ingredients to their food bowl, like shredded cheese, canned pumpkin, or green beans. Just be sure to introduce new foods slowly so you can keep an eye out for any stomach upset.

Try an Appetite Stimulant

If your dog still isn’t showing interest in food, you might need to stimulate its appetite with an over-the-counter medication from the vet. Some common appetite stimulants for dogs include mirtazapine and cyproheptadine. These medications can have side effects, so be sure to discuss them with your veterinarian first.

Incorporate Playtime into Mealtimes

Some dogs need a little bit of excitement before they’re willing to eat their food. If your dog seems uninterested in their food bowl, try incorporating playtime into mealtimes by using puzzle feeders or treat dispensing toys at mealtime. This will give them something to do while they eat and make mealtime more fun for them.

Make Mealtimes Relaxing

One reason why some dogs lose their appetites is that mealtime has become stressful for them. Dogs that are anxious or nervous may not be able to relax enough to eat properly. If this is the case for your dog, try making mealtimes more relaxed by feeding them in a quiet room away from commotion and distractions. You might also want to try adding some calming music or using a tension-relieving pet bed during mealtimes.

Avoid Feeding From the Table

If you’ve been feeding your dog table scraps, they may start holding out for something better than what’s in their food bowl. To avoid this problem, make sure everyone in the family knows not to feed the dog from the table no matter how much they beg! Once they realize that begging won’t get them anything except their normal food bowl, they’ll be more likely to eat what’s been prepared for them without complaint.

Try CBD For Dogs

CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound found in cannabis that has shown promise in aiding with appetite stimulation in both humans and animals. If you’re interested in trying CBD for dogs, be sure to purchase a high-quality product from a reputable source.

Conclusion

If your dog has lost their appetite, don’t panic! There are a few things you can do at home to help get them back on track including changing their diet and trying an appetite stimulant. You can also try incorporating playtime into mealtimes or making mealtimes more relaxed by feeding them in a quiet room away from distractions. By following these tips, you can help your furry friend regain their appetite in no time!