When your dog is sick, she may not feel like eating. This is normally ok, since getting food into her system immediately is not as important as ensuring that she is hydrated with fluids. However, even when your pup is well on her way to recovery, she may not get her appetite back quickly. She will lose considerable weight and strength, and it's important that she regain her appetite as soon as possible. When a dog has been ill for awhile, getting her to eat normally may not be easy. However, there are some tricks that will get her back on the chow wagon.
Instructions
Offer your dog her food by hand. Hand feed her, or put some peanut butter or canned dog food on a spoon for her to lick off. If she has been sick for a while, she may not feel like going to her dish. But if you bring the food to her, or make it a game (think of the airplane game played to get toddlers to eat), she may make an attempt to eat, if only just to please you.
Offer baby food. Choose small jars of baby food that you think your dog will enjoy. Generally a couple of meats and two or three different vegetables will get her interest. Put a small amount of each on the tip of the spoon and offer it to your dog. Later, you can top off her kibble with it.
Feed your dog in a quiet area. Some dogs do not do well in the midst of chaos and prefer the solitude of a quiet corner. If your dog is the nervous type, or there are other household pets that may be interfering with her eating, try feeding her on the porch outside, in a corner of the kitchen or the laundry room.