 The Short Answer is: |
Consider your dog’s lack of appetite as a relatively benign sign that he needs assistance. In most cases, the situation isn’t particularly urgent, but it can be an alert that helps to prevent or treat a more serious condition from developing. When you notice a consistent change in your dog’s behavior, see your vet as soon as possible. By speaking with a professional you can eliminate unnecessary worries and direct your attention toward the likely cause of your dog’s condition. Also, make sure that your dog has access to an abundant and easily accessible source of water at all times. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “Does My Senior Dog Need an Appetite Stimulant?“.
Dogs’ needs change as they age and become more senior. You probably have done all you can to make sure your furry friend lives a long and healthy life with you.
We have also noticed a sudden lack of appetite as one of the big changes.
I am going to talk about appetite stimulants in this article. What are they and how should they be used?
Despite being common it can be very worrying to discover your dog isnot eating their food especially if this continues to the point where they begin to lose weight and lose the energy they need to get through the day.
Your dogs lack of appetite may be perfectly normal in some cases and should not cause you concern. Unfortunately it can also indicate something much worse.
First lets discuss appetite stimulants.
4 things to know about appetite stimulants
Is an appetite stimulant necessary?
You want to make sure that an appetite stimulant is actually the right choice for your aging dog. In addition to underlying medical conditions diet preference and possible side effects of medication stress can also play a role in your dogs aversion to their food. Check if there have been any major changes in the environment that may have affected your dogs psychological state.
Entyce- a highly rated appetite stimulant
The good news is that if your pet is still having difficulty eating you can use some methods that may help them to become more hungry. Entyce is an appetite stimulant for dogs that is FDA approved. It contains capromorelin a ghrelin receptor agonist produced by Pfizer that acts like a growth hormone normally present in puberty.
A specific part of the dogs brain is targeted that is associated with their desire for food. The benefits of this are that they will be more interested in their meals. You can also consider Mirtazapine as a medication. It was originally intended for human use to fight depression but it was discovered that pets also benefit from it as an appetite stimulant. Dogs and cats can both take this prescription medicine.
Acupuncture
Of course there are alternative methods for stimulating your dogs appetite without resorting to commercial pharmaceuticals. Several studies have shown that acupuncture helps with pain nausea and inflammation. During an acupuncture treatment your dog may experience significant improvements if he or she has diabetes or renal failure.
CBD oil
CBD oil can also be a viable option depending on where you live since it is known to reduce pain improve general mentality on a daily basis and increase appetite. The compound CBD (cannabidiol) found in hemp is not the same as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD products have a wide range of benefits for the human body and can be applied beyond the human body. CBD treatment may be a viable option if it is legal in your area to help your dog regain an interest in food.
5 reasons why your dog might have a loss of appetite
Dogs may lose their appetite for a variety of reasons with some causes being more serious than others. Perhaps you have noticed that your pooch isnot eating as much as they normally do or maybe they are not eating at all. It is even possible that they are avoiding the special treats you try to bribe them with. If this continues for too long your dog will begin to lose weight show a lack of energy and possibly throw up occasionally.
Medication
Medication is one of the common causes of inappetence. It is possible for certain medicines to have an adverse effect on your dogs digestive system resulting in disinterest or inability to eat.
Chronic Illness
A viral infection liver disease or heart disease could also be causing your four-legged friends eating issues. There is also the possibility of cancer which can affect how your pooch metabolizes food and cause him to lose appetite. In addition they may be suffering from kidney problems which can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea vomiting constipation and decreased appetite.
Bored with the same food
You may also find a tedious diet to be one of the reasons why your dog is not interested in their food. The same meal will be boring to your dog after hes had it day after day for a while.
Diet is Inappropriate
Another problem associated with the diet is that older dogs in particular are often fussy about their food. Their teeth and digestive systems become more sensitive as well which makes it more difficult for them to consume their regular meals. In addition they’re bored with the bland food they have been eating for most of their lives.
When you have an older dog their kidneys may have difficulty processing large amounts of protein so you might want to adjust their diet.
Ensure that you take your pet to the veterinarian to rule out any serious issues that may be contributing to your dogs difficult situation.
What should you be feeding your senior dog? 5 actions to take
Having identified that there are not any more dire conditions causing your pups lack of appetite that means its probably an issue with their diet. Various dog foods are available for different life stages although many brands do not consider everything and simply market a senior dog food in a particular way so they can charge more for it.
Switch to senior dog food
Because small dogs age at a slower pace than larger dogs you’ll need to identify the point when you should switch to senior dog food based on the breed of your furry friend. In general you should provide your dog with a food source that is low in protein and high in fiber.
Fruit and vegetables
If you include fruits and vegetables (be sure to research which plant foods your dogs digestive system can digest) in his or her diet your dog will be able to get the fiber they need as well as vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy.
Check with your vet
If your dog requires any special dietary requirements be sure to contact your veterinarian. Ideally your vet will be able to point you in the right direction of commercial dog food that is appropriate for your pets nutritional needs.
Add moisture
You can also add moisture to your dogs food as another tool at your disposal. A little bit of warm water can make their meal more palatable if they dislike the tedious experience of chewing through dry dog pellets. Adding nutrient-rich moist canned food or even some chicken and rice can make their meals more exciting as well and this may encourage them to eat more often.
Healthy treats
A healthy treat can also encourage your dog to eat more food while a suitable treat could also help strengthen your dogs teeth. After trying everything you can think of but your dog still would not eat you might consider an appetite stimulant. What are the stimulants you can use and how can you determine if this is the right move for your dog?
Conclusion
Consider your dogs lack of appetite as a relatively benign sign that he needs assistance. In most cases the situation isnot particularly urgent but it can be an alert that helps to prevent or treat a more serious condition from developing. When you notice a consistent change in your dogs behavior see your vet as soon as possible. By speaking with a professional you can eliminate unnecessary worries and direct your attention toward the likely cause of your dogs condition.
Also make sure that your dog has access to an abundant and easily accessible source of water at all times. Restriction of water during the night while your dog sleeps is fine however you should make sure that your dog has plenty of fresh clean water during the rest of the day since dehydration can also cause your dog to lose appetite.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
