Whether you've recently adopted a dog or have been living with them for years, it can be very distressing when your loyal friend refuses to eat. There's a wide variety of reasons why they might have lost their appetite, which means that the best first step is to determine the cause of your dog's refusal to eat, in order to then design the best treatment plan.
But first of all, if you're worried that your companion isn't eating as much as the guidelines on the food packaging suggest, remember that these are just average figures. Many perfectly healthy Aristodogs eat only 60 to 70% of the amount indicated on the package, and that's perfectly fine.
When a dog doesn't eat, this condition is known as anorexia. But unlike anorexia in humans, anorexia in dogs refers to a loss of appetite. If your dog loses its appetite and doesn't eat, it's a sign that something isn't right, so we recommend that you visit your trusted veterinarian as soon as possible to find out what might be happening.
Why won't my dog eat?
There are various reasons why our dogs might refuse to eat. From an illness whose symptoms include loss of appetite to stress from being in new and unfamiliar places. It could even be that your dog is simply very picky!
However, never assume that your companion is simply picky without first checking with your veterinarian, as it could actually be an illness. And although our Aristodogs can go a couple of days without eating without significant consequences, it's better to address the problem as soon as possible.
What to do when my dog won't eat?
As we mentioned before, what you can do about it will depend on what the veterinarian discovers when determining the cause of the problem.
If the loss of appetite is due to an illness, they should recommend a prescription diet to feed your dog while the illness heals. If they still won't eat, your veterinarian will probably prescribe appetite-stimulating medications or other solutions.
If your Aristodog's decreased appetite is a behavioral problem caused by discomfort during mealtime, you should try the following alternatives:
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Reduce treats. Try natural products.
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Feed your dog on a regular schedule (usually a couple of times a day).
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Make mealtime fun.
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Take them for a walk before mealtime.
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Change your dog's feeding situation. For example, if you have several Aristopets and notice that your dog doesn't eat when they are present, try feeding them alone.
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Try a different type of food.
In any case, don't worry. Between you and your veterinarian, you'll surely be able to solve the problem of why your dog can't or doesn't want to eat. You'll see, it will be resolved soon!
In our online store, you have a wide assortment of food for your dog, from special vitamins, snacks, hypoallergenic feed, wet food... always offering the best for your Aristopet!