For several days, your dog seems to be sulking his kibble. Has he started a hunger strike because he cannot find the expected flavor in the dishes you offer him? Is it just a temporary loss of appetite? It’s normal to worry, because you love your pet so much that it’s frustrating not knowing what’s wrong with them. Don’t panic! If he doesn’t seem particularly depressed to you, his behavior is usual, or even if he continues to play, your four-legged friend is probably not sick. Before consulting a veterinarian, here are some tips to make him want to eat again.
My dog no longer eats his kibble in his bowl
Your dog no longer eats his kibble in his bowl, and that worries you… It may just be because you changed the variety, and he doesn’t like his new food. It can also be due to fatigue or temporary stress. Ask yourself if it something special happened in recent days which could have disturbed your pet. A trip? A move? A new arrival at home?
Other plausible and non-worrying explanations:
- It is possible that he got tired of the constant beef croquettes that you give him, or that their shape and consistency do not suit him. You can offer him a new variety or another brand, by gradually diversifying your diet so as not to disrupt its transit. Also try adding foods that your dog likes to his kibble, such as cheese or chicken, something he usually likes.
- Your pet could throw a “tantrum”. Depending on the breed, this can also be a way of telling you that he doesn’t like solitude. Give him a little more attention than usual, pet him, play with him and see if things improve.
- If your dog seems in good shape to you, he may also have taken thehabit of treats you offer him or leftovers that you give him: in this case, Monsieur is simply being difficult. Continue with the kibble at the rate of two meals per day, slow down on the small treats, and if he hasn’t finished his bowl after about twenty minutes, pick it up.
To encourage him to eat:
- If you have a little time, you can cook small dishes just for him. Be sure to only give him foods that are good for his constitution, avoiding fats or even chocolate which are toxic for him. Look for suggestions for foods that are healthy and safe for him to eat.
- Another useful tip: make him exercise! Take him out more and play with him. If he spends a little more, it could stimulate your appetite.
If things don’t get back to normal quickly, consult your veterinarian. Indeed, a healthy dog will not go without eating for long.
My dog is sulking his kibble and losing weight
Is your dog no longer eating his kibble and losing weight? If your dog is losing weight, there may be different explanations, so don’t worry too much.
- If you put him on a run, it’s quite normal that his figure has become slimmer and that he has lost fat.
- Do you have changed your diet ? Maybe he doesn’t like his new kibble? Try switching, either going back to the old brand or changing varieties.
If your dog is losing weight visibly, be careful, this may not be a good sign. Several reasons can explain his lack of appetite and his weight loss, here are the main ones:
- And oral hygiene problem : regularly monitor the condition of their teeth and gums. If your dog is in pain, it is normal for him to refuse food. Offer him foods dedicated to tartar prevention such as dental sticks or specialized buffalo skin toys. They encourage the dog to chew as if he had chewing gum, which promotes the elimination of dental plaque. If you have the courage, there are also special doggie toothbrushes.
- Of the mild digestive disorders : if your pet has loose stools, gas… he may not tolerate his kibble and therefore legitimately refuse to eat it. It may be related to something else he ate, but it’s hard to know what. Finally, it is possible that he suffers from food allergy.
- And more serious health problem such as pharyngitis, laryngitis, a digestive system condition such as gastritis, intestinal obstruction, esophagitis or, more serious, a kidney problem…
If symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian immediately.
My dog vomits his kibble
Unlike cats who vomit to purge themselves and eliminate hairballs, dogs generally vomit little. A dog who no longer eats his kibble and vomits it at the slightest opportunity can therefore be alarming.
Start with check the quality of your food and the expiration date. Sometimes, when a packet of kibble has been opened for a long time, it can harden and lose all its taste qualities. Additionally, even a box kept cool deteriorates quickly.
An easy hypothesis to check is to observe your pet eating to see if he swallows too quickly, which could cause regurgitation and vomiting. Favor a quiet place for mealsand place a heavy and bulky object in the middle of his bowl to get him to slow down! Too much regurgitation is likely to cause inflammation of the esophagus and remove all desire to eat…
Also check when your pooch vomits. If it’s every time he takes a car ride with you, it’s simple, he suffers from motion sickness!
Another possibility: your pet may be affected by a infectious or parasitic disease. This is why it is important to deworm it regularly and treat it against fleas and ticks. Don’t forget to put a bowl of water at his disposal. In fact, an animal that vomits quickly becomes dehydrated.
There are many causes why your dog vomits: the presence of a foreign body, an ulcer, kidney failure, pancreatitis. He may also be suffering from gastroenteritis, esophageal reflux or any other intestinal problem. These diseases mostly affect the appetite.
Finally, even if it is not very appealing, observe the contents of its gastric discharges. If you find bile and poorly digested food there, it may seem “normal”. On the other hand, if they are red or blackish in color, this can be serious.
If the problem of inappetence persists and vomiting is frequent, call your veterinarian who will carry out in-depth examinations.
My puppy no longer eats his kibble
If your young dog no longer eats his kibble, it may be because he prefers to wander after the birds rather than lingering in front of his bowl.
Encourage him to come and eat and pet him to encourage him. But don’t force him or scold him, it’s useless and could even stress him out.
If he is still very young, maybe he’s teething ?
Or you him feed more than necessary. In fact, when the puppy has finished growing, its needs are no longer the same. Remember to check the quantity of food indicated on the packaging and take into account the weight of your little companion.
Once again, it all depends on its general condition. If he looks good to you, you’re probably worrying a little too quickly. But, when in doubt, if he has not recovered within 24 or 48 hours, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
My senior dog is being difficult
If your old dog no longer eats his kibble, it is probably because he has less appetite. Don’t forget that it also spend much less than before. Loss of appetite may also be linked to decreased sense of smell in older dogs. To stimulate his nose and taste buds, try adding Viandox to his kibble or mixing it from time to time with treats in small quantities. You can also pour a little hot water over them to soften them slightly and make them more fragrant or mix them with a little 0% yogurt – this will also help with digestion!
Please note: if you serve him food that is too cold, he will not appreciate it, especially since the cold annihilates odors. Give him food at room temperature, that’s what he prefers!
It is also possible that he has difficulty eating kibble. too hard for his old teeth. In this case, choose kibble for senior dogs or wet food with mash or pellets adapted to their age.
Finally, continue to caress and comfort him to make his old days more pleasant…
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