If your dog is ill, one of the things to look out for is the complete loss of appetite. While a slight decrease in appetite is to be expected, avoid letting your dog completely fast itself, especially for a day or more. Dogs who lose their appetite for more than 24 hours can be in grave danger of malnourishment.
Additionally, it also makes their illness much worse. Given this aspect, you should make a list of what to feed a sick dog with no appetite. Even if your dog is not ill, knowing what to feed it to keep its appetite stimulated can go a long way in boosting its chances of recovery.
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Find out the Cause of No Appetite
First off, it’s a good idea to identify the cause of the loss of appetite in your pet. Dogs don’t always stop eating because they are sick. It can also be signs of digestive issues or even depression. It is always advised that you take the dog to the vet for a checkup and if you can’t do that, then monitor the dog. The following are some signs of sickness in dogs:
- Terrible breath
- Excessive urination
- Drinking excessively
- Lack of appetite
- Extreme weight loss
- Stiffness in climbing stairs
- Lethargic movements
- Abnormal sleeping pattern
- Isolation or other abnormal changes in attitude
- Sneezing and coughing
- Itchy or sore skin
- Watery eyes that are lackluster
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting and diarrhea
If your dog is exhibiting these signs, it may be sick. It’s a good idea to take it to the vet. Until you can, you should monitor your dog and make sure that the symptoms do not get worse. If they do get worse, immediate medical attention may be necessary.
Improving the Appetite of a Sick Dog
As previously mentioned, loss of appetite is a significant issue that must be fixed as soon as possible. If you’re finding yourself wondering what can I give my dog to increase appetite? The following are some significant ways that you can do that:
Natural Appetite Stimulant for Dogs and Food for Sick Dog with No Appetite
One method to improve the appetite of a sick dog is by opting for natural appetite stimulants. These will entice the dog to try eating the food and will ensure that even if the dog does not eat a full meal, it does not become malnourished or suffer from extreme weight loss.
The following are some of the best natural appetite stimulants that you can give to your dog:
Grass
Dogs sometimes understand what is making their stomach upset better than humans do. In fact, they will even try to induce vomiting so that they feel better. If your dog is showing a desire to chew on your lawn, allow it to do so. Grass allows dogs to throw up and relieve the pain in their stomach as well as bring up the reason for their illness.
Make sure that you have plenty of water around and monitor the dog. If it is always throwing up and eating grass, it can be a sign of some other gastric issue. A trip to the vet may be a necessity to diagnose it accurately. However, in many cases, after eating grass and throwing up, your dog may return to normal and start to eat food with a healthy appetite again.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a great appetite stimulant for a dog with no appetite. It’s light enough to be easily digested and contains healthy vitamins, fatty acids, and trace amounts of proteins. It can help to soothe an upset stomach and may even help to keep your dog hydrated, especially if it had been throwing up a lot.
It’s a good idea not to buy store-bought bone broth as that is usually seasoned with spices as they are meant for soups. You can make your own by merely boiling beef bones in a pot of water until the gelatin from the bones has leeched into the water and made it gelatinous. Serve this mixture to your dog as needed.
Aromatic Foods
Sometimes, dogs may lose their sense of smell because of the fever that they might be having. This can drastically reduce their appetite for food, and they may not have the urge to eat. The odor of the food being served is responsible for improving the appetite of the dog.
In this case, you should opt for food items that have a pungent or strong aroma so that your dog can smell it. Food items like fish usually have a strong odor when warmed up. Make sure to offer warm meals to your dog as warm food has a stronger odor. If you are feeding fish to the dog, pick out all the bones before serving it to your dog.
Chicken and Rice
One of the best and most bland food options for dogs is a mix of chicken and rice. This meal is light enough not to upset a dog’s stomach while also being easy to digest. Make sure to boil the rice and chicken without any spices. Cook the chicken thoroughly and shred it before serving it on a bed of boiled rice.
You can also add chicken broth to the rice to ensure that your dog gets a nutritious meal. However, remember that bland foods are the best for your dog.
Our Recommendation – Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs
Zesty Paws Probiotics for dogs is an easy-to-eat chewable treat that contains healthy enzymes for the digestive system of a dog. It can not only help to stimulate appetite but also helps with nausea, digestive issues, diarrhea, constipation and gas. The best part is that these treats also boost the immune system of the dog.
Our Recommendation – Purebites Beef Liver for Dogs
One of the best dog treats that can make any dog get an appetite for more, the Purebites Beef Liver treats for dogs, are a great choice. They are made from 100% liver and are perfect for dogs with gastrointestinal issues and allergies.
With the help of these options, you can ensure that your dog’s appetite does not fall to dangerous levels.
