Puppies grow fast and require more food than a fully grown adult. Once a puppy reaches maturity they require a lower number of calories and may naturally eat less. Older dogs may also become less active and naturally curb their eating habits because of it or just be bored with their food. This is typically nothing to worry about but you may want to consider different foods that are designed for different stages of a dogs life or simply provide some variety.
Don't change to much at once though. Frequent changes in diet can turn your dog into a finicky eater. He may even hold out just to see what will be offered next. When you determine a healthy diet your dog likes eating, it is a good idea to stick with it.
Sudden diet changes can also cause your dog to have digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. Any changes to your dog's diet should be done gradually over a period of one to two weeks. Start by adding a small amount of the new food to what your dog is currently being fed. Each day increase the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of the current food.
Indulgent friends or family members who secretly give your dog treats and food from the table can cause your dog to stop eating. One family member who spoils a dog by feeding them goodies when no one is looking can ruin a well planned diet for your dog.
This can turn your dog into a picky eater, or worse, an overweight dog. The food provided may also cause problems for your dog if they contain ingredients that are hard for your dog to assimilate or if they contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs such as chocolate or raisins. This can also lead to your dog developing bad habits such as begging for food or taking it from the table when no one is looking.
Some dogs love to raid garbage cans, even if they are being well fed. This is obviously a dangerous habit that needs to be eliminated before your dog consumes something contaminated and gets sick or even toxic and dies. Any garbage cans your dog has access to should have tight fitting lids that your dog cannot remove and do not under any circumstances allow your dog to roam the neighborhood unattended.
If your dog seems eager to eat and then eats reluctantly or refuses to eat for a few days your dog may be trying to control calorie intake. If a dog believes that eating pleases its owner, it may eat to please even when it is full or overweight. This is often reinforced by owners who praise and give affection along with food and treats. A dog that is overweight may naturally try to limit it's intake to fell better. Make sure your dog is only receiving the necessary amount of food for proper nutrition and make dinner time a routine instead of a exciting time for the dog.
Another cause of poor appetite in a dog may be the temperature. Dogs normally eat less in the hot summer months, and the hotter it is the less they will eat.
If you care for your dog's teeth, tartar can build up and can cause your dog's teeth to hurt. In this case you will see brown stuff between the dog's gums and teeth. If your dog's teeth hurt it may cause him to eat less. Work on improving your dog's dental hygiene.
Illness or allergies can also cause your dog to eat less or not at all. Check to see if their are any other symptoms that will help you detect if your dog is sick. If necessary consult with your veterinarian. If you dog is on any medications, they may be causing your dog stomach problems.
Food allergies are certainly a possible cause for a lack of appetite. Again, check for other symptoms such as ear infections, skin problems, diarrhea, etc. If your dog is suffering from a food allergy you will need to switch him to a completely different diet and start testing different ingredients to see which ones he may be allergic too.
It's not unusual for a dog in heat to lose her appetite for a short while. If it continues afterwards you will want to take her to the vet to have her checked for Pyometra. You can avoid this possibility by having your dog spayed.
For additional information about canine nutrition, hypoallergenic dog food and dog food comparisons visit http://www.dogfoodcomparisons.net |
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