| When a pet dog refuses to eat, the problem is either | | | | for more than 24 hours, you should have your |
| physical or psychological. When a pet dog refuses to | | | | veterinarian examine him. |
| eat, his owner pleads with him and tries to tempt him | | | | Chronic underweight or a sudden weight loss may be |
| with food fed by hand. If the dog is sufficiently | | | | due to a physical malfunction and is definitely a |
| neglected and bored he may try this to get attention. | | | | danger signal. A voracious appetite combined with a |
| An intelligent owner will counter this common canine | | | | loss of weight is one of the symptoms of internal |
| play by giving his dog companionship by playing with | | | | parasites. All of these symptoms require the |
| him and taking him for a daily walk. | | | | attention of your veterinarian, for he alone is |
| How can you handle the problem of a dog that | | | | competent to diagnose the cause and to prescribe |
| refuses to eat not because he is neglected, but | | | | the treatment. |
| spoiled? Simply remove his food bowl after half an | | | | A young puppy that refuses to eat should cause |
| hour, and present it again only at the next meal time. | | | | immediately concern. A healthy diet is vital to his |
| Spoiled dogs are often obese too, so it will do no | | | | future well-being, and since his tiny stomach holds |
| harm to skip one meal. Please do not serve him the | | | | very little at a time, a missed meal is nourishment lost |
| same food, as it may be spoiled. It never occurs to | | | | forever. Before you alert the vet or your puppy's |
| some owners that their dog's lack of appetite may | | | | breeder, you should verify that his loss or appetite is |
| be caused from unappetizing meals or just a dirty | | | | not due to one of several easily remedied causes: |
| bowl. | | | | - Your puppy misses his brothers and sisters or |
| Food that is unfit for humans is unfit for your dog | | | | mother. (Try keeping him company and you may try |
| too. Dogs also eye with suspicion any new food and | | | | hand feeding him for a while, but do not make a |
| they have marked individual preferences for meals | | | | habit of it, especially with toy breeds.) |
| that are dry or moist, finely chopped, or chunky. You | | | | - His feeding times do not coincide with his hunger. |
| can add taste appeal with a little chopped onion or | | | | (Adjust your schedule to suit his appetite.) |
| garlic, or a beaten egg yolk. Most dogs love liver and | | | | - He is too nervous to eat. (Avoid the excitement of |
| bacon, which either can be mixed into their regular | | | | play and visitors, just before nd after his meal times.) |
| feed in small amounts. | | | | - His food is too tough or chunky for his baby teeth |
| The most effective appetite stimulant is aroma. If | | | | to handle. (Chop it finely, or soften it by soaking. |
| you have given your dog dry food and raw meat, it | | | | Teething puppies often go off their feed and need a |
| may smell better if the mean is seared or the dry | | | | softer diet during this period.) |
| food is moistened. A spoonful of brewer's yeast | | | | - He has problems with his food dish. (Young puppies |
| sprinkled on his meal, is another good appetite | | | | eat most easily from a flat dish, like a pie plate. Later |
| awakener. Many dogs skip their noon meal entirely | | | | on, long nosed breeds should be given a deeper dish. |
| during hot weather. Let your pet follow his natural | | | | For long eared breeds, there are special deep |
| instinct. Fasting is an instinctive animal remedy for | | | | tapered bowls which prevent their ears from |
| minor digestive disorders, however if he refuses food | | | | dragging in their food. |