Monday, August 20, 2012

What must be done if the dog would not eat

By Jerry Welsh


Whenever the eating habits of pets are discussed, dog owners would always brag about the pet's voracious appetites. Dogs have the habit of gobbling food. Any dog owner would attest that the pet is an indiscriminate eater. Look how man's best friends would eat spoiled food from trash cans. Dogs also have the repulsive habit of eating feces.

However, it is quite surprising to note that not all dogs have gargantuan appetites. Feeding a picky eater can be a concern of dog owners. Pets noted to be poor eaters are common in one pet households. Lone pets would have no competition for the food and would also get all the attention of the family thus refusal to eat would result to better offerings. No dog would be interested in kibble if there is a chance that beef roast will be received. Dog owners would be aware of the dog's eating habits. However, a voracious eater that suddenly shun its doggie bowl should be a cause for concern. What can you do to entice the dog to eat?

A dog owner should be concerned if the pet has refused two meals in a row. A dog that has not eaten would be nauseous, would vomit bile because of the accumulation of acids on the empty stomach. A dog that is vomiting yellowish liquid is a sign that the stomach that has been empty for a while is now irritated. A dog that vomits repeatedly can be dehydrated. To be able to help the pet, an owner has to know why the dog is not eating.

In most cases, the inappetence of the pet can be due to a change of diet. Dogs would eat anything, even things we humans find disgusting but some dogs would refuse to eat moldy dog food. An owner simply need to change the kibble and the dog will be a happy eater again. Although a home cooked meal would take some effort to prepare, the dog will be encouraged to eat the cheaper and more nutritious food. The dog's disinterest in food can be a symptom of a medical concern.

Periodontal diseases can be the reason why the dog shuns food. Seriously ill dogs would completely refuse to eat. Aside from the inability to verbalize what they feel, ill dogs would also hide from the human family. A lethargic dog that repeatedly refused to eat must be brought to a veterinary facility at once as for certain the dog's refusal to eat is not caused by a moldy kibble.




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