Most people consider themselves experts when it comes to their own dogs. However, there will inevitably be times when something goes wrong with your furry friend, and you just don’t know what to do.
One problem that all dog owners are likely to encounter at some point in their lives is a period when their dog refuses to eat. Your dog can’t tell you what’s causing him to have an upset stomach, or not want to eat, so it can be difficult to know what to do next.
However, there are some simple steps you can take to get your dog back to regular eating habits.
Check the ingredients
If your dog stops eating, one of the first things to do is to check the ingredients of everything he has eaten. It is possible that your dog has developed an allergy to one of the ingredients listed.
If you think this might be the case, opt for all-natural dog food with simple ingredients you can recognize. Plan a meal plan specifically for your dog, rather than just buying whatever you find on the shelf.
Cut down on treats
If your dog isn’t eating, but nothing else seems wrong with him, you should consider cutting back on treats. Although dogs love treats, giving him too many can have detrimental effects. Too many treats can make a dog either too picky to eat his regular food or cause him to have an upset stomach, as they are only meant to be eaten in moderation.
Play with your puppy
Like any human, dogs need constant interaction and exercise to stay healthy and happy. It’s quite common for dogs to stop eating when they’re bored, depressed, anxious or feeling a certain level of stress.
If you haven’t already done so, set aside a special time each day for your dog to avoid boredom and to remind him how much he is loved. Hopefully, this will help your dog be happy and find his bowl.
See the vet
When in doubt, always go to an expert. You should already be taking your dog in for regular checkups; but if you’ve tried everything and still can’t find a way to get him to eat, see your vet. He or she will be able to perform an x-ray to see if there are any foreign objects or obvious health problems that could be affecting your puppy. Your veterinarian may also prescribe some form of medication that will hopefully bring your dog back to normal.
The most important thing is to listen to your pet and pay attention to the signs. If other symptoms accompany your dog’s loss of appetite, such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal swelling or lethargy, don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet, as these symptoms could be signs of a more serious health problem.