HELP! My Pet Refuses to Eat.
Your dog or cat approaches its feeding dish, sniffs and walks away with disdain. Your pet likes a particular pet food one day and refuses to eat it the next. You give in and change your pet's diet which may reinforce your pet's finicky ways. A strategy for winning the battle of mealtime wills combines a proper feeding program and strict monitoring of your pet's feeding habits.
If you have a problem eater, use the following checklist to help you determine why your pet is refusing to eat or experiencing digestive upsets.
Do you change pet foods frequently?
Yes No
If you answered yes, chances are you have identified the problem. Frequent diet changes can create a finicky eater. The pet becomes a "holdout" to see what will be offered next. When you find a nutritious diet your pet enjoys eating, stay with it.
Do you believe that pets, like people, need variety in their diet?
Yes No
If you answered yes, keep in mind that a pet demands as much variety as it has come to expect. Constant diet changes, as well as feeding food from the table, can create a finicky eater. Variety in the diet of humans is important to ensure the consumption of nutritionally balanced meals. Dogs and cats can get the proper balance of all the nutrients they need when they are fed a high quality nutritionally complete and balanced dog or cat food appropriate for their life style.
Are you aware of an indulgent family member who quietly slips the pet treats and food from the table?
Yes No
If you answered no or better check it out, take a second look at your family members. A sensible feeding program can be undone by one family member who pampers a pet by feeding goodies and food from the table when no one is looking. The results are not beneficial to the pet. It may become a finicky eater or show signs of becoming obese. (Obesity is the number one nutritional problem for dogs and cats). Food surreptitiously fed can also upset the nutritional balance of a high quality pet food.
A behavior problem may also be in the making as a result of feeding food from the table and/or frequent diet changes. The pet may develop the annoying habit of begging and may even steal food from the table.
Does your pet raid garbage cans without your knowledge
Yes No
If you answered yes, this may be the underlying cause of the pet's refusal to eat and/or digestive upsets. Some pets, regardless of how well they are fed by their owners, raid garbage cans. This is a dangerous practice which can result in digestive upsets or the pet's consuming contaminated food or toxic chemicals.
If you are not sure, check out the garbage cans in your yard. Be certain they have tight-fitting lids.
For their own protection and in order to be a good pet neighbor, pets should not be allowed to roam in neighbors' yards.
Do you make a diet change abruptly?
Yes No
If you answered yes, be aware that sudden diet changes can be the cause of digestive upsets. If it is necessary to change a pet's diet, it should be done gradually over a seven to 10 day period. Add a small amount of the new diet to the food currently being fed. Each day increase the amount of the new diet while decreasing the amount of the current food. This gradual change will help prevent diarrhea and/or vomiting which may occur when sudden changes in a pet's diet are made.
Does your dog seem eager to eat and then either eats reluctantly or refuses to eat for a few days?
Yes No
If you answered yes, your dog's refusal to eat can be its own attempt to control calorie intake. Dogs love to please people. When a dog learns that eating pleases its owner, it soon eats to please. Sometimes words of praise and affection accompanying food and treats reinforce the dog's eat-to-please behavior. Overeating can cause a dog, like a human, to get an uncomfortable feeling. It makes its own attempt to alleviate the discomfort as it controls its food intake. Chronic overeating can lead to obesity. Avoiding excessive treats and food from the table and making feeding routine rather than a special occasion helps a dog stay with its regular diet and feel comfortable.
Does your dog eat less during hot weather?
Yes No
If your answer is yes, be assured that it is not unusual for a dog's food consumption to decrease during hot summer months. Studies show that, as a general rule, dogs need about 7.5 percent fewer calories with each 10 degree rise in ambient temperature.
Choosing a Pet Food
A pet food should not only be appetizing, it should also provide the proper balance of nutrients dogs and cats require in a highly digestible form. To be certain that the nutrients in a pet food are available to and utilized by your pet, look for a statement on the label indicating that the product has undergone feeding trials in accordance with the protocol established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Find a complete and balanced food appropriate for your pet and stay with that diet.
A holistic or alternative vet may have the solution to help your dog get his appetite back. In observing him should he seem to be in pain that can have a great deal to do with taking away his appetite. When humans are in pain I think the last thing we think of is food-we just want to alleviate the pain first.
Caring For Your Older Dog
Even though your dog may be slowing down, there is no reason the older years can't be some of the best years. With regular veterinary attention, daily care and proper nutrition, your older dog can still experience a happy and healthy life.
Recognizing Your Dog Is Getting Older
The most practical way to tell if your dog is getting older is by observing his behavior and appearance. Simply put, how old does your dog act, look, and feel? The following are some common signs of aging and what they may indicate about a dog's health. Use these signs as a guideline in determining if your dog is an older dog.
Changes in Hearing
You can tell if you dog's hearing isn't as sharp as it used to be if he doesn't respond to his name or verbal commands, or suddenly barks for no reason.
Changes in Urination and Housetraining Habits
Excessive thirst and frequent or uncontrolled urination are often signs of kidney problems or diabetes. Inappropriate urination may be a sign of incontinence caused by a hormone imbalance, which is most common in spayed females, or caused by other medical conditions.
Changes in Eating Habits
An older dog is more likely to develop tooth and gum conditions. And because of sore gums or loose teeth, he may let food drop out of his mouth or even refuse to eat.
Breathing Problems
Coughing, difficulty in breathing and tiredness could indicate possible cardiac problems.
Changes in Vision
A hazy, bluish cast on your aging dog's eyes is normal and usually does not hinder the eyesight. However, the hazy, whitish growth of cataracts can lead to blindness. Your veterinarian can help you distinguish the difference.
Weight Gain or Loss
Like humans, a dog's metabolism slows down as he gets older. And because older dogs may not be as active as they used to be, they have a tendency to gain weight. Performing a rib check can help determine if he's overweight. Sudden weight loss or unplanned chronic weight loss should be reported to your veterinarian. This could be a sign of an internal problem.
Skin and Coat
For older dogs, you'll notice that the skin thickens and becomes less pliable. It's a good idea to check for large lumps on or under the skin. This could be a sign of a tumor, cyst or cancer.
Tiredness and Lameness
As a dog gets older, you'll notice a decrease in energy level. He becomes tired more easily and likes to nap often. He can experience stiffness in his leg, hip and shoulder joints. This could just be normal wear and tear, or it could be a result of an old injury or a sign of arthritis.
How Old is Your Dog?
Generally, larger dogs begin aging earlier than smaller breeds. For example, if your dog is a Saint Bernard, he could be considered a geriatric dog as early as six years. But medium-sized dogs don't usually show signs of aging until nine to eleven years. And small breeds like toy poodles probably won't show signs until they're at least eleven. In addition to a dog's breed, specific lifestyle factors affect a dog's longevity. To this end, Purina has teamed up with RealAge® to bring you valuable interactive pet health information on the Internet — the complete DogAge® Test.
The test evaluates factors such as health, lifestyle, breed, body condition and exercise to quantify whether a dog is younger or older than the average dog of the same breed. After taking the free test, DogAge.com provides free dog health information, weekly tips and health guides to give pet owners easy, practical ways to help improve their pets' DogAges.
Take the test today
www.dogage.com/index.aspx?cbr=PUR1_PProper Medical Care
Regular checkups are a must for older dogs. In addition to annual vaccinations and checkups, talk to your veterinarian about special geriatric screenings for your dog. You should be aware of some of the problems seen in the senior dog. It is important to keep a record of any of these warning signs and report them to your veterinarian.
Disease (most often affecting senior dogs) Warning Signs
Diabetes or Kidney Problems Drinks excessively. Urinates excessively. Weight loss.
Hormone Imbalance Incontinence (uncontrolled urination). Especially present in spayed females.
Arthritis Stiffness and lameness, especially after napping.
Heart or Lung Conditions Frequent coughing. Trouble breathing. Tires easily.
Cataracts Hazy, whitish appearance to the eyes. Can impair vision.
Gum Conditions Bad breath. Trouble eating hard foods because of sore gums and loose teeth.
Tumors or Cysts Large lumps on or under dog's skin.
Keeping Weight in Check
Heart conditions, joint pain, and diabetes can all be influenced by obesity. Discuss your dog's feeding program with your veterinarian to be sure he is getting the proper nutrition for his age and activity level.
Proper Nutrition
Aside from regular veterinary care, proper nutrition is one of the most important things you can do to help your dog maintain a long, happy and healthy life. Transitioning your dog to a senior life stage food will help him maintain his weight and give him the extra nutrition he needs.
When Your Dog Has Special Dietary Needs
If your dog is experiencing medical problems, check with your veterinarian to see if he could benefit from a special diet formulated to help meet the special nutritional needs of dogs who suffer from certain heart conditions, gastrointestinal conditions, kidney problems and obesity.
Proper Exercise
Because obesity and arthritis are two of the most common problems experienced by older dogs, regular exercise is very important. However, if your dog does have arthritis, consult your veterinarian before beginning an exercise program.
Daily Routine
Being consistent with a daily routine is also important to your older dog's physical, mental and emotional health.
Maintaining a Healthy Skin and Coat
As part of your dog's complete home health care program, you may want to schedule a special grooming session at least once a week. Bathing your older dog regularly is also very important. This is another great opportunity to give your dog that loving attention he needs.
Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums
Routine dental care by your veterinarian is very important since older dogs are more prone to gum disease and tartar buildup on their teeth. In addition to regular visits with a professional, it's always a good idea for you to check your dog's teeth and gums regularly.
Emotional Needs
It is your responsibility to be sensitive to what your older dog is going through and understand that he's also experiencing a lot of psychological changes. Daily care of your older dog requires a little more patience on your part.
With your special loving care and commitment, he can enjoy a quality life during these senior years.
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It is always a good idea to take your dog to the vet. They can do more with the dog. [/glow]