Whether your friend is big or small, canine or feline, loss of
appetite is a big concern. If your cat or dog is not eating,
what can you do? When your little one turns away from a meal or
is barely eating, it's time to do a little investigative work
and get your veterinarian involved. Some common causes for lack
of appetite include a change in environment, dental problems,
or parasites. Getting help quickly can mean avoiding serious
complications--cats, for instance, can develop severe liver
problems that can lead to death if they stop eating.
The Stress of Moving
If you've ever moved from one home to another, you know how
stressful it can be. Imagine how the process can affect your
pet. Cats, in particular, become extremely attached to their
domains, so a move can just about turn their world upside down.
And we all know dogs are very territorial. Would you feel like
eating if everything was "taken" away from you? Pets
experiencing anxiety can lose
their appetites.
When settling in after a major move, there are some steps you
can take to help your pet adjust. It's important to get them
back on track with their eating, so they can feel right at
home. Dogs can be creatures of habit, so try to set out their
food and water in the "same place" as the old house. If you
live in a place where temperature drops below zero, invest in a
thermal bowl to
keep the temperature of the water in the comfortable range.
That means if they ate in the kitchen before, be sure to place
their bowls in the kitchen at the new house. For cats, you can
provide small, frequent meals. Also, consider hiding pieces of
dry food around the house to encourage their natural predatory
instincts. Talk to your vet about your pet's habits and see if
a visit might be needed.
Dental Issues
If you've ever experienced a toothache, you know what a pain it
can be. You don't feel like doing much of anything, let alone
eat, and you just want the pain to go away! If your pet is
having dental issues, there are a
few things you might notice. With dogs, they may drop the food
they are trying to eat, or they'll eat slowly, or on one side
of their mouth. They might also have bad breath (beyond normal doggie breath,
that is)! Likewise, check for drooling, bleeding, or swelling
deep under the gums or high up under the lips. With cats, the
symptoms of dental problems and gum disease are mostly the
same. Your cat may have difficulty closing his or her mouth and
you might see yellow or brown spots on the teeth, down along
the gumline. Get your pet to the vet for a checkup.
Parasites
Another explanation for appetite loss could be parasites. If your dog is infected with
parasites, treatment is usually very effective, so talk to your
vet about the appropriate medicine. With an intestinal
parasitic infection like roundworm, hookworm, or whipworm, your
dog will often lose his or her appetite. These pests also rob
your dog of important nutrients, cause vomiting and diarrhea,
and can result in anemia or even
death. Make sure you get the right medications right away.
Cats can also lose their appetite from a parasitic infection.
In addition to the worms mentioned above, cats can also be
diagnosed with a rickettsia infection. These microscopic
parasites can cause a cat to experience appetite loss, weight
loss, and even depression. Sometimes, jaundice is associated
with this condition. Your veterinarian can determine the
presence of rickettsia through examination of a series of blood
samples. Giardia, a parasitic inflection transmittable through
cat feces, also causes a cat to lose their appetite.
So, whenever man's best friend won't eat, or your feline
sidekick suddenly turns their nose up at dinner, you'll want to
investigate. Getting your little one to the vet for prompt
medical treatment should have Fido or Fluffy healthy and eating
again.
Some more reasons that can possibly affect your pet's eating
habits are listed below.
Why is My Dog Not Eating?
Pet owners get anxious when they notice their dogs showing a
reduced appetite. If your dog has always been a poor eater,
then you probably have nothing to worry about. Don’t go merely
by the numbers on food packets that claim how much pets should
eat, as this is an average number based on many pets.Of course,
you want to confirm if your pet eats a little less than the
recommended amount or maybe anorexic. Meanwhile, here are some
causes that could be causing your pet to lose his appetite.
Medical issues
Your first step when you notice a reduced appetite in your pet
is to find out what caused it. You also want to estimate how
long your dog has been showing a lack of appetite. Usually, you
have nothing to worry about so long as it is within a 24-48
hour window. If the problem persists after, then you want to
take your pet to the vet.Watch out for other signs like
diarrhea or vomiting in your pet. Sometimes, dogs lose their
appetite temporarily after they get vaccinated, which is not a
cause of concern in most cases. Either way, you want to watch
the clock and see how long your pet’s appetite issue persists,
and call the vet if need be.You can even carry out a quick
check on your pet, by examining his belly. Gently press your
hands on it, and see if it feels soft and how your dog reacts
to it. If he yelps out of pain, then you may have a problem. If
his mucous membranes appear dry, then you want to call the vet.
Change of
food/surroundings
Sometimes, minor changes in the
food
or the surroundings can cause your pet to lose his appetite.
For instance, your dog’s appetite may have taken a hit if you
have started feeding him food along with another aggressive
pet, or if you have changed the food bowl so it is wider or
higher. Your pet simply does not feel comfortable eating in
such a setting, and you may want to go back to how things were
earlier, just as your pet liked it.If you have changed the
flavor of the food, or switched to a different brand, then
switch back to the previous food that your pet liked. Keep
those treats in check. If you have been overdoing the treats,
there is a good chance that your dog does not find his regular
food so appetizing any more. Give your dog treats sparingly
during training sessions.If your dog refrains from eating just
certain foods, then he might be a picky eater. However, you
want to rule out other serious issues rather than just jumping
to conclusions.
