True Anorexia in Dogs: 5 Common Causes
March 13, 2022Dogs can not talk; that’s why it’s challenging for fur parents to identify when their pet isn’t feeling well. This was the same when dogs stopped eating or showing interest in their food. For this reason, it’s reliable to know the culprits causing this behavior to dogs to understand the treatment or remedy that will successfully combat this condition. So let’s discuss the common causes of true anorexia or loss of appetite in dogs.
Causes of Anorexia in Dogs
Mealtime is often a canine’s favorite part of the day. It’s common for fur parents to feel worried when they see their dogs are not eating or have lost their appetite. Thankfully, some factors are treatable, specifically if your pet looks alright, even with decreased appetite. If you’re worried sick about your canine who’s not been showing enthusiasm during mealtime, below are the five common causes.
1. Stress
Like humans, dogs can get stressed due to unfamiliar scenarios like environmental changes, which may affect their appetite. Adding a new four-legged buddy or family member to the household, a new environment, or other changes can trigger stress and anxiety in dogs. Severe separation anxiety, fear, and other similar reasons that might cause stress in dogs might result in loss of appetite. Their appetite might dip until they’re relaxed enough to eat again.
2. Vaccine shots
Vaccinations can occasionally trigger moderate discomfort, lethargy, or adverse effects, which causes your pet’s appetite to dip temporarily. This might last a whole day. If your canine doesn’t show interest in eating following a vaccination, offer them the next regular meal.
Are you keeping up with your pet’s vaccinations? Maintaining this is important to guarantee they’re well protected from common pet illnesses and enhance your pet’s immune response. If you’re looking for facilities to have your pet vaccinated, you may browse the web for “cat vaccines near me” to see accurate results.
3. Diseases
One of the first things that suffer the most when your canine is sick is its appetite. Like humans, dogs are prone to health problems and viruses, especially when they come into contact with their fellows at the kennel, veterinarian, or park.
If your pet’s lack of appetite is accompanied by lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or other concerning symptoms, visit facilities that offer vet diagnostic services in Echo Park to determine the condition affecting your pet and ensure they receive urgent treatment.
4. Pain and injuries
Dogs that don’t eat can mean they’re in pain. Injuries and pain often impair a dog’s appetite, particularly dental pain. They might avoid eating when they feel something in their mouth is hurting. Some of the physical injuries, illnesses, or painful conditions that might be causing your dog to lose appetite are:
- poisoning
- problems with teeth, tongue, gums
- infection
- parasites
- autoimmune or neurological diseases
- allergies
- organ issues
- depression
- tumors
- broken bones
Do you suspect bone fractures in your pet’s motions? Take them to a veterinary surgery professional immediately to fix their joints so they can play and move normally again.
5. Dental problems
Did you know that only 2% of pet parents brush their dog’s teeth frequently? This might explain why pets develop dental issues. If you notice your dog swallowing their kibble or not eating hard foods, this might indicate a dental problem. If you see broken or missing teeth in their mouth or swollen or bleeding gums, they could benefit from a visit to the veterinary dentist. Routine dental cleaning and checkups help address any oral problems affecting your pet’s appetite and health.
