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