How to improve your dog's poor appetite

Sometimes, your dog may refuse food, whether it is dry or wet. A lack of appetite in dogs can be caused by stress, finickiness, or lack of exercise. You can encourage your dog to eat and stimulate its appetite in various ways. However, if your dog continues to refuse food or shows signs of fatigue or pain, it is important to consult a veterinarian immediately.

Identify the cause. Some common reasons for your dog eating less may resolve on their own, but you should still assist them in overcoming the issue. If your dog does not fall under the following categories, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian or consider potential health issues.

• Your dog may experience motion sickness on long trips. Some dogs may refuse food when adjusting to a new environment.
• Some dogs prefer not to eat in uncomfortable settings. Make sure to place their food dish in a stable area with appropriate height, free from interference by other pets.
• Your dog may be avoiding food due to the presence or absence of another pet or family member.
• Minor causes may include changes in your home's interior or the effects of cleaning.
• Sometimes, dogs refuse food to seek attention. If your dog is not eating for attention, ignore it. Place the food dish down for about 10 minutes, avoid engaging with the dog, and discard any leftover food if it remains uneaten.
• Your dog may simply be a picky eater.

Avoid giving your dog human food and leftovers. Most dogs would rather have a piece of grilled meat with mashed potatoes than their regular dog food. While it might make them happy at first, over time, they will become picky eaters and start hanging around the dining table waiting for scraps.

• You should keep an eye on children, as they tend to feed dogs snacks frequently.

Exercise your dog. Regular physical activity helps stimulate the appetite and encourages your dog to eat more. To make exercise more effective, take your dog for a walk before each meal. Your dog will soon associate the walk with mealtime and develop a positive connection.

• Some dog breeds need more exercise than others, but generally, you should aim for daily activity or at least a few times per week.
• If physical activities are not feasible, consider options like taking your dog to a daycare center, hiring a dog walker, or letting it run freely at a dog park.

Feed your dog at a set time each day. It's best to feed your dog twice a day at consistent times, or as advised by your vet. Some dogs may prefer eating later in the day.

• If your dog is healthy and active but often gets distracted before finishing its food, leave the food dish out and walk away. After about 30 minutes, return and remove the dish, whether it has eaten or not. Your dog will quickly learn that if it doesn't finish its meal in time, it won't be able to come back for more.

Make mealtime enjoyable. You can give your dog toys that contain food inside, teach it new tricks, and make mealtime a rewarding experience for it.

Make the food tastier. To make your dog's meals more appetizing, try mixing in a few spoonfuls of canned dog food or adding a bit of warm water or broth.

• You can also use dog gravy available at pet stores. The gravy comes in small granules, which, when mixed with dry food and warm water, can greatly enhance the flavor of your dog's meal.

Change the dog's eating environment. If your dog is still refusing to eat, consider making a few changes. These adjustments can have long-term benefits, although your dog may need some time to adjust to them:

• Feed your dog in a separate area away from other pets.
• Switch the food bowl or adjust its height.
• Serve the food on the floor instead of using a bowl.
• Some dogs get distracted by other activities and can't focus on eating, so try placing the food and water in a quiet area to help them concentrate.

Switch the type of food. You can try feeding your dog food from a different brand or replace dry food with wet food. These changes should be introduced gradually over the course of a week: Mix 1/4 of the new food with 3/4 of the old food for a few days, then increase the new food to half and continue gradually changing it to allow your dog's digestive system to adapt more easily.

• Switching to a completely different brand of food abruptly can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.

Store the food properly. Ensure that your dog's food stays fresh by storing it in an airtight container to maintain moisture and keep pests away. Always check the expiration date when purchasing food and inspect it regularly when storing it at home.

Visit a veterinarian if your dog suddenly refuses to eat without a clear cause. If your dog has been eating well and suddenly stops, it's important to take them to the vet to check for possible dental issues, mouth pain, or other serious health problems.

• The vet can assess your dog's weight and provide guidance on a healthy weight range for your dog.

Look for signs of illness in your dog. If your dog seems lethargic, sluggish, is drinking excessive amounts of water, appears to be in pain, has dull fur, bloated belly, or gurgling stomach sounds, it's time to take them to the vet. Finding worms in the stool is a clear sign of parasitic infection, and a visit to the vet is necessary.

Check for signs of gastric torsion. Gastric torsion occurs when the dog's stomach twists, a life-threatening condition that can cause death within hours. Watch for signs such as your dog frequently looking at its belly, whining, pacing, or attempting to vomit but unable to. Any unusual symptoms in the stomach could indicate gastric torsion, requiring an immediate visit to the vet.

• Avoid allowing your dog to play, walk, or engage in strenuous activity for at least one hour after eating to reduce the risk of gastric torsion.

Examine your dog's teeth. Gently lift your dog's lips to inspect its teeth. If you notice missing teeth, yellowing, bad odor, or plaque buildup, it could indicate dental pain preventing them from eating. If you find loose, chipped, or broken teeth, take your dog to the vet.

• The vet will teach you how to maintain your dog's oral hygiene regularly.

Feed your dog the prescribed food from the vet. The vet may suggest a special diet tailored to address your dog’s health issues. Even though many dogs might resist this diet, it’s important to encourage them to eat in order to ensure they get the necessary nutrients for recovery.

Consult a veterinarian if the treatment doesn't seem effective. If your dog refuses to follow the special diet or its health continues to deteriorate, it's essential to visit a vet immediately. The dog may require additional medication or a switch to a liquid food regimen.

• While it's generally advised not to feed dogs human leftovers, there are several human foods that are safe and can serve as a great treat for your dog. You can offer your dog rice (either white or brown rice), cooked eggs, chicken, peanut butter, and various vegetables like sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, and pumpkin. Ensure that these foods are given in moderation to maintain a balanced diet.
• If you're aiming to help your dog gain weight quickly, consider feeding it ground meat balls. These meatballs are rich in fats and are made from ground meat, wheat germ, eggs, cooking oil, and other ingredients. Many meatball recipes are available online for you to try.