Dogs are known for their voracious eating habits. Any size dog seems to have no problem "wolfing down" a bowl full of food and asking for more. Dogs who lose their appetite do so for various reasons. Stress and changes in the weather can have this affect, as can insufficient exercise time. Another cause may be ill health, and there are associated reasons for a loss of appetite in these cases.
-
Bacterial and Viral Infections
-
Dogs are not unlike humans in their reaction to catching a virus or a bacterial infection. They will stop eating in many cases, which can cause concern to the owner about their pet. However, this is a natural and biological reaction to the infection. The dog knows instinctively that fasting reverts the energy it takes to digest food to the more important task of fighting off the infection. Going without food will last only as long as it takes for the dog to begin regaining its energy.
Once the animal feels that the infection and the fever associated with it are waning, they will usually recover their appetite. It may be helpful to induce their appetite by warming the food. Dogs are enticed by strong aromas, and heating the food will activate the essence of the ingredients. Eventually they will become the enthusiastic eaters they were before.
Respiratory Problems
-
A viral infection is one thing; bronchitis is another. Serious respiratory problems should be addressed immediately by taking the dog to a veterinarian. Loss of appetite is a common symptom of breathing problems, and an expert should decide exactly what the cause of the problem is before any remedies are undertaken.
There are less serious respiratory conditions that can be addressed with home remedies to help them regain their appetite. Temporary asthmatic attacks, sinusitis, and the phenomenon known as "kennel cough" are not necessarily a serious health issue, unless underlying systemic problems exist. Minor coughing, wheezing and a runny nose will cause the dog to lose their appetite temporarily. Natural home remedies using herbs and minerals can help the dog over this period. Scull cap, or inula helenium, is a well-known herb for breathing relief. Phosphorous also is used frequently to treat bronchitis, dry coughing and asthmatic symptoms, and is effective in cases where stress and anxiety play a role in a dog's loss of appetite.
Digestive Problems
-
Indigestion is not uncommon for dogs, because they tend to eat a lot of things that will not sit well once it goes down. They will usually address the problem themselves by eating grass or vomiting, and the crisis will be short-lived. Vomiting or diarrhea will occur sometimes even when no other noticeable problems exist. As long as it has been established that no serious underlying conditions such as ulcers or tumors are present, a loss of appetite can be managed at home.
Fasting for 24 hours is actually beneficial, so that the irritant that is causing the digestive problem can have a chance to pass through their system without adding any new substances. Once this period has elapsed, the dog can be helped to regain their desire for food by adding some natural herbs or spices to the food. Dogs actually like some spices, such as peppermint, alfalfa and ginger. This will entice the dog to try some food, and their eating habits should return to normal in a short amount of time.
-