Dog Anorexia
ManyWhen a dog refuses to eat or eats only a portion of what he needs or what he usually eats every day, this will also produce a deficiency. The term Anorexia is used to describe the condition when a dog refuses to eat. Many dog owners take their dog’s eating for granted until the dog actually stops eating.
A dog’s eating habits are normally controlled by hunger, appetite, and the satisfaction of these two. This control may be abnormally affected by emotions, sensations, or the taste of the food. Another thing that causes a disturbance of the dog’s natural eating behavior is mechanical interruption. Broken jaws, a fish hook in the tongue or a rubber ball stuck in the throat are typical examples of mechanical anorexia.
A lot of dog owners think that it is normal for all dogs to miss a meal and that a missed meal is not something to be concerned about. However, a healthy dog is always hungry at meal time, just as a healthy person is. Any time a dog refuses to eat, it is a signal to you that something is not right. If the dog refuses two meals in a row, you can be certain that there is something wrong, either with your dog or with his food.
Obviously, a dog gradually losses weight once he stops eating. A 20 lb Beagle will lose 0.4 pound (six and one-half ounces) each day he refuses to eat. This weight loss occurs because the dog is breaking down and using up his own body. Since there are no nutrients coming in, a dog with anorexia must literally burn itself up in order to obtain the energy and nutrients needed for his essential life functions. When extra demands from disease are piled on those suffering from anorexia, the burn-up is even faster. That Beagle cannot afford to lose ½ lb of his body weight every day for very long!
Included within the weight lost will be fats, carbohydrates and protein. The most important loss to a dog is protein. By the end of only two days of anorexia, that 20 lb Beagle will already have lost about 3% of his total body protein. This becomes increasingly important if one considers that protein is essential not only for normal metabolism but for wound healing, tissue repair and combating infections. Actions to replace the intake of anorectic dogs should be implemented immediately. Unwillingness or failure to overcome the deficiencies of calories and nutrients created by anorexia can mean the difference between recovery and death during an illness.
The same diet the dog was eating before anorexia is suitable, as long as the cause of the anorexia does not make it unsuitable. Because dogs become inactive with anorexia, their calorie need is somewhat less than for most dogs. If they have a fever, however, this rapidly increases their caloric requirements.
Dogs with anorexia must be force-fed either by spoon feeding or by intragastric intubation. This type of diet should be fed only long enough to get a dog back to eating satisfactorily on his own and should never become a substitute for actually determining the cause of the anorexia or for overcoming that cause.
Roberto Sánchez said,
Wrote on June 17, 2007 @ 18:56
My dog is eating less than required as you describe, that’s why I found your site, are there more info resources? I suspect this is an attitude problem since the dog is good willing always to eat any food which is not dog food. Otherwise dog is wonderful, and obedient, I’ve tried several brans of premium food with no real result. Can someone give advice or orientation?, vets don’t seem to pay attention on the issue and I find not much info around, but yours. Thanks and Best Regards
Justin said,
Wrote on June 18, 2007 @ 09:23
Hi Roberto,
Lots of dogs are just like yours. I think the solution really depends upon you. Your dog will not starve. They will eat the food you put down, eventually.
I think a lot of the time it is because we spoil our dogs by giving them cooked food.
You could try cooking some food like a stew and then adding dog biscuits to it. Or just be tough and hold out on your dog. I am sure they will give in eventually.
Regards
Justin
Roberto Sánchez said,
Wrote on June 19, 2007 @ 21:42
Justin:
Thank you, it so kind of you to take the time to give me some advice. I thought my dog was extremely peculiar. I also found a great resoure at: http://cesarmillaninc.com/tips/foodphilosophy01.php
Best regards
Roberto
Monique said,
Wrote on August 15, 2007 @ 04:06
I have been feeding my 5 year old bitch with kibbles but she just doesn’t to have enough of it. And when I add more dogfood,I don’t see her gain weight except for her tummy. Vets can’t seemed to understand her condition, they always say she is just normal like any other dog. What do you think she is having? She’s complete with annual shots. Tnx for having time in reading this.
Erin said,
Wrote on September 2, 2007 @ 11:09
I have an 18 mo old Boxer that became anorexic. I believe the cause started psychological and then combined with physiological issues. She is finally eating a cooked diet using the protein/carb/vegetable ratio of the BARF diet (boneless meat only). However, I am having a hard time rebuilding her muscles. Is there anything I should be adding to her diet or some type of exercise regimen I should be doing to help with this? She is still too weak to go for walks longer than a couple of minutes and she can only play for about 5 minutes at a time.
Any insight/help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
***
Hi Erin
Just keep persisting.
I have a friend who is now 73 years old who still goes to the gym. He started when he was about 50 and started because of his bad back.
To start with he wanted to form the habit of going to the gym. Once going to the gym became a habit he then started to worry about what he was doing.
So what does this have to do with your dog? Make exercise a habit and keep building. But make sure to work to your dogs ability.
Regards
Justin
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Rob said,
Wrote on September 2, 2007 @ 18:19
I have a similar situation. I have a 1yr and 8mo. old GSD who only ways 69 lbs. The vet tells me he should be weighing anywhere from 90-95lbs. It seems like he only eats every other day. He eliminates everyday as if he ate regularly. He eats some treats, but not all. He was given to me when he was six mo. old. He has always followed this crazy eating routine. I have tried everything (soft food, dry food, gravies, warming up his food, adding a raw egg, feeding him only at certain times and taking the food away….) I have tried everything I can think of. It is important to note that the dog has allergies (no food allergies) and anxiety issues. This could be the reason for his eating habits, but I need to find a way to correct this issue. Any advice?
***
Hi Rob
Any of the things you mention could be the cause. But as I am not a Vet I don’t want to comment in case I am wrong. Keep persisting and maybe try to mix the food up… or visa versa try giving him something that you know he likes, everday to see if that works.
Another good tip is to give your dog puppy food. This can tend to help add the kilos.
Regards
Justin
Liz said,
Wrote on June 15, 2009 @ 00:17
Before my dog was diagnosed with cancer, his first sign of illness was that he did not finish his meals. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and lung cancer. Next came cachexia (muscle wasting.)