Jan discusses what to do when your pet loses its appetite.
https://www.facebook.com/PawsPathNJ/videos/vb.1022815251092385/1085394841501092/
It is so much fun to share food and treats with our kitty and doggy friends. But when our pets don’t eat it can be a sign of a serious problem in our friends. The list of reasons that lead to appetite loss is long and can indicate life-threatening issues. Here are some of the most common concerns. Don’t hesitate to go to the Veterinarian for help if your four-legged friend is not eating normally.
Evaluate your pet’s food.
Is it a new bag of food? Is it an old bag that has been there a while? Does the food smell good? Is the food based on real meat? Does the food contain corn, by-products, dyes or sugars? Is there a recall posted on the Internet?
Things can change from batch to batch in pet food – if it’s a new bag, there may be something disagreeable to taste.
Old food can grow yeast, mold, bugs, or turn rancid. If the food is older than a month, it could have a bad taste. And, it’s a good idea to clean the pet food container in between bags of food, so potential contaminants don’t linger from one bag to the next.
If you think it smells bad, you know your dog or cat thinks it smells bad – their noses are even more sensitive than ours.
Look at your pet’s teeth and mouth.
Older patients can have rotten teeth, which will interfere with eating. Loose teeth, bad smell in the mouth, tartar covering the teeth, red gums, bleeding gums and growths are all signs of a serious problem.
On the other hand, young patients can have oral problems too. Retained baby teeth, something stuck between teeth, sores in the mouth or on the lips and gums all need medical help to correct the problem.
Check to see if you your pet has eaten an object.
Look if toys, strings, rubber bands, or any foreign object is missing or partially eaten. Cats tend to eat small things. String, thread, rubber bands, foam, plastic flowers and the rings from the gallon of milk are just some common things.
Dogs will eat anything! Socks, rocks, rope toys, plastic bags, hair coverings, underwear, bones, dead animals. Anything.
If you suspect anything is missing at all, call your vet as soon as possible. If there is an intestinal foreign body, the sooner you find out, the better your pet’s chance of making a complete recovery.
Do not force your pet to eat.
A few thoughts; If your pet is nauseous or his having digestive problems he or she will not eat. Applying a digestive blend to their torso can help if your pet is not eating because of digestive troubles.
If your pet is congested and is unable to smell the food he or she will not eat. Diffusing a combination of Spearmint to clear congestion and Tangerine to help calm the digestive system can be helpful.
Applying a calming or grounding blend is beneficial to both you and your companions as it can be stressful for everyone if someone is not eating.
I recommend adding flower essences to drinking water or applied topically.