Appetite is not often a problem for dogs. Most dogs will eat anything at anytime. However, if your dog is ill or recovering from an illness, you may need to try some different tricks to get it to eat. Good nutrition and a steady stream of calories will often aid its healing. If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, feeding it is likely to cause more harm than good. A fast is usually in order with these symptoms and if recovery doesn't happen with 24 hours, a trip to the veterinarian is warranted.
-
Aroma
-
Foods with an aroma are more likely to trigger a sick dog's appetite. If your dog has an upper respiratory illness or is elderly, it may not be able to smell its food the way it did when well or when it was younger. Even a dog that is not eating because of pain associated with an injury will be more likely to eat if the food has more of an odor. Warming food slightly will release the aroma of the food and be an appetite trigger for an ailing dog. Just be careful that the food doesn't get too hot in the microwave and burn the dog's mouth--you just want it slightly warmed. You might also try offering foods that have more of an aroma than the dog's regular meals.
Texture
-
Adding broth to your dog's food may make the texture a little easier to chew and swallow. If your dog is recovering from oral surgery or has a sore throat, and even with some other illnesses that may make it difficult or painful to chew or swallow, changing the texture of the food so it's a little easier to swallow will likely help the dog to eat. Try adding a beef or chicken broth over dry kibble or moist food to see if the dog will at least begin to lap up the soup.
Variety
-
Offer foods the dog usually receives only as treats. Just as when humans are ailing, your dog's appetite may be triggered by foods that are new. Foods the dog usually receives only as a treat may also be enticing. Try offering your dog some cooked chicken, broth or even vegetables. Try different brands and flavors of dog foods and offer, dry, semi-moist and moist. Offer different treats and different textures. One or the other may have appeal that will help the dog to begin recovering its appetite.
Feeding
-
Try offering your dog food by hand. Try feeding your dog in a different location of the house, providing raised dishes and offering morsels by hand. Sit with your dog and talk to it while it is eating. Offer smaller meals. For example, give the dog a meal and if the dog only eats a few bites, try offering more a couple hours later. Always offer fresh food. The dog is more likely to eat a fresh meal than food that has been left out. Remove distractions such as other pets and noisy children.
-