Restoring a Hearty Appetite for Your Dog

It doesn't take an experienced dog breeder to understand that if your dog isn't eating a proper diet that something is amiss. Usually, this is a big warning indicator that your dog's health could be compromised by some underlying cause. This is why it's up to you, the dog owner, to investigate the cause and reason for this strange behavior. Obviously, it takes a little bit of observation to notice the change in your dog's eating habits. If you notice any of the following situations, take immediate action to restore normal functioning of appetite.

Heart Problems or Defects- Symptoms and indicators of Heart Problems or Defects include one or more of the following: dry cough, and/or suppressed vomiting (dry heaves). This is a serious indicator that your dog may be ailing from a heart problem, caused by an enlarged heart putting pressure upon the esophagus. This nagging pressure against the esophagus produces an irritation, which induces coughing. Unfortunately, this is a serious condition that requires immediate attention by a veterinary specialist, and any attempts for home remedies should be avoided.

Kennel Cough- Symptoms and indicators of Kennel Cough include the following symptom: unusual eating habits, and improper nutrition. This could be a direct result of a claustrophobic environment, where the dog is cooped up into a small living space with other canines- such as alleys, kennels, cages, etc. The best treatment for this is isolation from the general population, and a regular dose of cough syrup as needed for the cough. Once the cough is cleared up, your dog should be able to return to its normal feeding habits.

Tooth abscess and Dentition Dysfunction- If your dog is suffering from dental problems, such as an abscess from an infected tooth, it may not be able to properly consume any food because of the pain caused by the abscess. Your dog will exhibit pronounced noises from the throat (i.e. whimpering, whining), and will refrain from eating. Typically, your veterinarian would prescribe a round of antibiotics over the next 2 weeks in order to flush the bacterial infection from your dog's system. Once the infection and abscess is gone, your dog should be able to eat normally again.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Symptoms of IBS include the following: upset stomach accompanied with vomiting or bouts of diarrhea. The best remedy to give in this situation is a homemade recipe of cooked rice and boiled (unseasoned) chicken. If your dog doesn't take to this dish, try adding beef broth over smaller portions of dog food. Should the upset stomach and diarrhea or vomiting continue, consider a temporary switch to a "Prescription Diet". This is a special diet recommended by veterinarians, which consists of- Hill's Science Diet Advanced Protection formula for adult dogs, in combination with dry dog foods. This should help get your dog's appetite back.

It is important to feed the proper diet to your dogs in accordance with their stage in life. Top breeders recommend using Pro Plan chicken and rice puppy chow for the first 4 months of a puppy's life, then switching to the Adult Pro Plan chicken and rice blend. More premium dog food brands to try are- Eukanuba and Iams dog food. Taking good care of man's best friend from the beginning is well worth a lifetime of benefits.