Dogs stop eating or eat less for a number of reasons. In most cases, there's an underlying cause affecting a dog's appetite when they're eating less.
The three most common reasons for a dog's loss of appetite are:
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Medical Issues (illness, pain, discomfort)
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Environmental or situational stress (other pets, strangers, household stressors)
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Changes to diet or food aversions (switching foods, low quality food, sensory changes with age)
This guide will help you address your dog's appetite issues and discuss some stimulants to explore as you try to resolve the underlying issues. We'll also put a particular focus on CBD oils and chews for dogs and their ability to influence your dog's appetite, or ailments that could be hindering that hunger.
Finding an Appetite Enhancer for Dogs
Let's look at the top appetite stimulants commonly used for dogs. You might be surprised to find that a few of them aren't products! Note that these exclude prescription medications, which we'll discuss after we look at the options available to you without a veterinarian.
Aromatic Food Toppers Can Motivate Dogs to Eat
If your dog isn't interested in their normal food, you can sweeten the deal with a topper of some kind. There are plenty of options available at stores such as "wet food" cans, delicious gravy toppers, and more, although some of these aren't necessarily healthy options.
Excessive use of processed toppers like these can actually have negative health effects because they're calorie-dense and might not be made with the best ingredients, depending on the brand.
Even though they're not ideal, flavorful toppers can help kickstart your dog's appetite and encourage them to eat again.
There are some other healthier toppers that serve the same purpose, however.
1. Pour Low Sodium Broth Onto Kibble
Bone broth is nutrient-rich and easy on dogs' stomachs. Stomach discomfort could be a cause of your dog's appetite loss, so something simple and easy to digest like bone broth can be a great option.
You can simply pour low-sodium or no-salt beef, chicken, turkey, or pork broth over your dog's kibble. Give this a shot and see if it makes them excited to eat again.
2. Plain Yogurt or Pumpkin Puree
Plain Greek yogurt can be an appetizing addition to your dog's food. It's simple, easy to digest, and it can actually help the digestive system because it's packed with probiotics.
Pumpkin puree that's free of sweeteners or additional ingredients is also something that dogs tend to enjoy as a natural appetite stimulant. You can top your dog's food with these ingredients to see if it interests them and gets their appetite back up.
Using CBD for Dogs' Appetite Issues
CBD oil can provide targeted support for a dog's appetite because it works with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is one of the systems in your dog's body that influences healthy appetite, as well as feelings of discomfort that could be limiting your dog's hunger.
CBD can indirectly boost appetite by supporting dogs who are feeling a lot of stress or physical discomfort. Unlike common pain or anxiety medications, CBD products don't sedate or influence your dog in ways that will further limit their appetite.
Focus on high quality CBD products that are made specifically for dogs. Never give your dog a CBD product made for humans.
Finding The Best CBD Oil for Dogs
Lolahemp offers high-quality, organic CBD oil for dogs made with their health and wellness in mind. Our product is grown at a family farm in Colorado, the safety is confirmed with third party testing, and the results speak for themselves.
If your dog's appetite issues are the result of discomfort or emotional distress, Lolahemp could support their underlying issues and improve their appetite as a positive side effect.
Exercise Can Naturally Stimulate Your Dog's Appetite
Increasing exercise is an excellent way to encourage your dog's appetite. Few things make humans hungrier than a hard day's work, and the same is true for dogs.
Add an extra-long walk to your dog's routine for the next few days if they're not bothered by inflammatory issues like hip dysplasia or arthritis. If your dog is able to walk and get significant exercise, get outside and let them work up an appetite.
It seems simple, but exercise is an effective way to encourage your dog to eat; give it a shot. If your dog isn't as mobile outdoors, here are a few indoor exercise ideas for dogs.
Try a Different Brand of Dog Food
Dogs have changing preferences, and the food they once loved might not interest them anymore. Even if your pooch isn't a picky eater, their sensitivity to certain ingredients can change with age.
Get out to the store and pick up a small bag of one or two different types of kibble. If those kibble options aren't helping, try some organic wet food or a natural option available in the refrigerated pet food sections.
If one starts to work, stick with it. Watch for any other changes to their behavior after switching, however, because some dogs are sensitive to different ingredients in common pet foods.
Use a Consistent Feeding Routine
Dogs might be encouraged to eat when they get into the habit of eating at specific times. They'll start to anticipate feeding time, which can trigger hunger.
If you're letting your dog graze and they've stopped eating for whatever reason, start giving them food at specific times and withholding it until those times. This could refresh your dog's relationship with mealtimes, and break their behavioral tendency to avoid eating.
It helps if you introduce your new meal routine with delicious toppers to reinforce your dog's interest in food.
What Do Vets Use to Stimulate Appetite in Dogs?
Vets might prescribe appetite stimulants if your dog has a serious underlying condition. If there's no clear condition present, they might recommend the natural options listed above.
Here are a couple of the most common appetite stimulants to discuss with your vet:
1. Mirtazapine
Mirtazapine is often used for dogs with kidney disease, cancer, or gastrointestinal issues. These issues commonly cause dogs to lose their appetite.
Mirtazapine is an antidepressant that influences levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, both of which are related to feeling hungry. The neurotransmitters responsible for healthy moods work in a number of other important ways.
If your dog is depressed, any way you can help improve their mood should also impact their appetite. For example, exercising regularly can help dogs improve their mood as well as encourage hunger by boosting serotonin on top of working up an appetite.
Possible Side Effects of Mirtazapine
Mirtazapine is generally well-tolerated in dogs, although it can cause sedation, restlessness, and excessive vocalizations in some cases.
2. Cyproheptadine
Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine typically prescribed to dogs with liver disease or serious infections. It can increase appetite by inhibiting serotonin receptors and encouraging more serotonin to be produced, which might make dogs regain hunger.
Possible Side Effects of Cyproheptadine
Cyproheptadine may cause dry mouth, drowsiness, or urinary retention in dogs. In some cases it can also cause dogs to feel lethargic.
Identify The Cause of Your Dog's Appetite Issue
The absolute best thing you can do is talk to your veterinarian about what your dog is experiencing.
With any luck, your dog has just lost interest in their food. In other cases, there is an underlying cause for your veterinarian to diagnose. Once you've got a clear reason, you can find a plan to improve their eating, and don't forget to bring up CBD treats or oils as an option to support their efforts to get well again.
We hope these ideas help get your pooch back to eating regularly again!
