Dog Allergies

When your usually ravenous dog suddenly loses his or her appetite, it can be very worrying. One or two days of appetite loss may not be too serious, but when your dogs’ loss of appetite leads them to lose weight, or to other long term effects of dogs loss of appetite, like lethargy, chances are, if you are a concerned dog owner, you will be very worried! Here are a few common causes, and treatments, of dogs’ loss of appetite:

• If your dog has another illness, it could lead to your dog’s loss of appetite. This could be something minor, or something far more serious, like parvo virus or another canine disease. If your dog’s loss of appetite is linked to other symptoms, like vomiting, or loose stools, particularly if there is blood in them, do not hesitate to take your dog to the vet immediately! Swift action, in some cases, is the difference between life and death.

• If your dog’s loss of appetite is linked to an event, like moving home, or the death of another pet or family member, your dog’s loss of appetite may be psychological, rather than physical. Just like humans, dogs get depressed, and they may stop eating. If this is the case, shower your dog with more affection, and try to tempt him with his favorite treats.

• Dog’s loss of appetite may also be linked to a change in diet. Some dogs will eat anything and everything that is put in front of them, but others have more discerning palates. If you suspect that a change in diet has caused your dog’s loss of appetite, try introducing the new food gradually, mixing it with their regular food, gradually increasing the proportion of the new food to the old.

• If your dog’s loss of appetite is linked to behavioral problems, like digging, chewing on objects that they should not be, or even excessive barking or howling, it may be a symptom of separation anxiety. In this instance, getting another dog, to keep your dog company may be a solution to the problem of your dog’s loss of appetite, and the behavioral problems.

• If you notice your dog losing weight, but your dog’s loss of appetite is negligible, or nonexistent, that may be a symptom of a stomach parasite, or it could be a sign of a more serious disease. Try giving your dog deworming tablets, and if that does not work, approach your veterinarian, to rule out more serious problems.

When you notice your dog’s loss of appetite, a warning signal should go up. Never ignore this, and if your dog simultaneously stops drinking water, or shows any other symptoms of illness, go to your vet immediately. With some canine diseases, a delay of a few hours can be the difference between survival and death.

Most dogs will not simply stop eating for no reason, and whether the cause of your dogs’ loss of appetite is physiological, or psychological, you need to find the root cause, in order to effectively solve the problem.