There are many reasons that pets may not be eating. They could have an upset stomach, or they might be picky eaters. If you notice your pet is not eating for more than a day, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible so they can diagnose the problem and prescribe medication if necessary. It’s also important to remember that there are some things you can do at home before taking them if they don’t need medical attention. Here are some suggestions on how to get your pet back into their regular routine of eating food!
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Change Their Food Brand
Your pet may not like their food brand. Simply trying a new type of food could make them very excited and lead them to eat more. Always be mindful of switching foods because some brands will cause potential upset stomachs if they aren’t used to the ingredients. When switching foods, do it slowly. Start with a small amount in their bowl, much less than normal portions, to assure they don’t have an upset stomach. Then, gradually mix more new food into their original food until there is no longer any original brand left in the bowl.
Feed Them From Your Hand
Rather than putting out a bowl of food and letting them come to it whenever they feel like it, you can place their small amounts of food in your hand as a way to get them to start eating. Your pet loves you, and even if they don’t feel like eating, seeing food in your hand and the comfort that comes along with seeing you may be enough to get them to eat. Once they start eating small amounts out of your hand, you can guide them to their food bowl and show them that food. Often this can give them a helpful push to start eating their food again.
Give Them Canned Food
If your pet has an upset stomach, you can give them canned food with no salt or sugar added. Add some water to the can to make it soupy, then heat it in the microwave. Let the food cool for a few minutes and serve it to them warm. This should ease their stomach and give them additional water that they need if they aren’t drinking much water on their own.
Give Them Space
If your pet is being picky about eating, don’t force them to eat. Instead, give them some alone time and space until they are hungry enough to eat on their own. Take their food bowl away for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, then bring it back. They may have gotten hungry enough to come back and eat the food you left for them! If this doesn’t work, try putting their bowl in a different room if they are an indoor pet. This change of environment may be enough to spark their interest in eating.
Add Broth To Their Food
If your pet is not eating for more than a couple of days, it’s important to try adding water or broth to their food. Doing so can help prevent dehydration, one of the most serious problems you might encounter if they are not eating. The broth will also provide added protein and fat, stimulating their appetite. Try heating some chicken or beef broth, then mixing it into their food. Make sure the broth has no sodium, and be sure to let it cool before serving it to them. The flavors from this broth may also help them enjoy their food more and start regularly eating again.
Give Them Treats
If you think your pet hasn’t been feeling well, try feeding them something they haven’t eaten before. You may tempt your pet to eat human food like chicken or even baby food because it is enticing. If you’re giving your dog human food, start with a tiny amount. If they don’t want it, try adding some more. To encourage them to eat their normal diet and the treat, mix this in with their current dry food. Just be careful not to overindulge your pet in these goodies since doing so might affect their health over the long term.
Add Food To A Toy
If your pet is still a kitten or a puppy, it might be difficult for them to start eating their dry food. You can give them treats by hiding small amounts of food around the house in an old toy or just about anything they enjoy playing with, such as a sock, paper towel roll, or even a wooden spoon. The idea is for them to find the food and slowly get used to eating it out of the bowl. As they become more and more accustomed to eating their food, you can slowly wean them off of this strategy and back on to a regular dry diet that will help them grow up healthy and strong!
Change Their Food Dish
If your pet is drinking but still isn’t eating their food, it may be the dish they are using and not the actual food. Pet dishes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Some pets prefer metal, while others like plastic. Try cleaning their bowl and switching it for another one to see if that helps them eat more. You can also try experimenting with different shaped dishes and see if they prefer one over another.
Take Them To The Vet
If you have tried all of these methods and your pet is still not eating anything, it’s probably time to take them in for a checkup. Your vet might want to run some tests on your pet or ask you more questions about their diet habits. They will help get rid of any underlying problems that are making your pet not want to eat. If your pet needs medication, they will be able to suggest the best way for you to administer the drugs along with the amount given per day.
Conclusion
If your pet is not eating, there are many different ways you can try feeding them first before taking more drastic measures. In some cases, these methods listed above will help get your pet back on track and keep them healthy! However, if none of those work for you, there are many other options. As always, consulting a vet about your pet’s health is the best bet to make sure they stay as happy and healthy as they can be!