What do you feed a sick dog that will not eat

10 Best Foods For A Sick Dog That Wont Eat (Care & Feeding Tips)

You may have clicked this article because you have a poorly puppy who just wont eat anything. Perhaps you have an elderly dog who cant be tempted with their usual favourite foods. Are you at your wits end trying to find something that they will eat?

I myself have had dogs in the past and know how worrying it is when they suddenly refuse to eat. Dogs usually eat everything they can get their paws on, so a loss of appetite can be very concerning.

This article will detail all the foods you can give your pup that will be safe and cause no further illness or upset. It will also provide you with helpful tips on how to feed a sick dog effectively and how to best care for one at home.

Suitable Foods for Sick Dogs That Wont Eat

When a dog wont eat, it can be tricky to work out the reason behind their loss of appetite. Sometimes, it is because of some form of digestive upset such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.

Other times, they are just off their food for some other internal reason like an infection. Even visible external physical injuries can put a dog off eating if they are in a lot of pain, having some strong pain medications, or being given other medication that has side effects.

Whatever the reason, it is important that a poorly dog eats and doesnt vomit it straight back up. Food provides energy that is then used to help the body repair itself. If they dont get enough food or water, it can cause other, more serious health problems.

So, what foods are best suited for a sick dog with little interest in eating? Below are ten different foods you can try sourced from Breeding Business, and all of them will be gentle on their stomach and high in nutrients.

Chicken

Chicken is a well-known go-to for pet owners when a dog or cat is ill. It is a white meat that is extremely versatile, full of nutrients, easy to eat, and plain enough to not upset the already irritated dogs stomach. A few recipes that you can use are:

• Shredded Chicken: Take a plain chicken breast and cook it in the oven. Once cooked, remove the skin, and then cut into very small pieces. You could also potentially use a cheese grater for this purpose. Once done, feed it to your dog little and often.
• Chicken and Rice: White rice appears later on in the list, but it is good to mix two bland ingredients together when they both have a high amount of energy.

Again, cook the chicken breast and cut into small chunks, then mix it into a bowl of cooked plain white rice. Wait until it is warm, not hot, before serving.

• Chicken Strips and Mashed Potato: Another combination of ingredients on the list is some plain chicken breast strips mixed in with some mashed potatoes.

Ideally, you should use sweet potatoes as they have more health benefits, which will be detailed later. Cook the chicken and cut it into manageable pieces, then boil the potatoes with no seasoning, mash them, and mix. Serve when warm.

Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food is something most dog owners will already have in their cupboards. It may be a standard meal for your dog, but if they arent eating their usual flavour, try a different one such as beef or lamb and microwave it for a few seconds to see if its more appetising.

Another way to serve wet dog food is by mixing it with a couple of dry biscuits. That changes the texture whilst still hydrating them and makes it easier on their stomach.

Finally, if you dont have any wet dog food in, or only have the usual flavours, try mixing some dry kibble with a little bit of warm water. The biscuits can either be left to float in the water or mashed into a soft gruel.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are a surprising addition to the list as they arent something that dogs stereotypically eat. If you choose to try feeding your poorly dog pumpkin, do so with moderation and never give them more than a few spoonsful a day.

Pumpkins are high in fiber and a probiotic which makes them the ideal food to treat nausea and diarrhea. However, the same quality is why dogs cannot have too much of it. You wouldnt want your pet to go from one extreme to the other diarrhea to constipation.

To successfully feed a dog some pumpkin, put a little plain mashed pumpkin on a spoon and encourage them to lick it off. If they enjoy it, increase the amount slowly to two-three tablespoons a day, and make sure they eat other foods too.

Dont attempt to feed them pumpkin pie or seasoned pumpkin as the richness and spices will only serve to further upset their stomach.

Fish

Fish can be a great substitute for ordinary dog food thanks to its nutritional properties, strong scent, and soft nature. It is versatile and can be mixed with other soft foods to make it even more palatable.

The best kind of fish to give a sick dog is boiled cod or tuna, and only in moderation as too much may serve to make them feel worse. It is also a good food to give to a dog who is a new mother, as the vitamins help with milk production.

Always cook the fish before giving it to a dog, and make sure that there are no added spices, salts, or seasonings. Also, de-bone the fish and remove the skin to make it easier to digest.

Turkey

Turkey is a less popular alternative to chicken, but it has much the same benefits as its smaller counterpart. It is a white meat that can be substituted into any of the recipe ideas above if your dog doesnt like chicken or you have turkey in.

Make sure the turkey is properly cooked through before serving it and consider mashing it with rice, potatoes, or carrots to make it more appealing. Adding these foods and warming it up gives the meal a stronger scent and makes it more likely that the dog will eat.

White Rice

White rice is another bland food staple for poorly dogs that many owners have been advised to feed them. The blandness of the rice helps reduce any stomach churning and therefore relieves nausea, whilst the carbohydrate-rich grains provide energy to heal.

The biggest problem with using white rice is that is has no smell, so dogs tend to turn away from it. This is why most recommend mixing something else into it such as chicken, turkey, potatoes, carrots, or even a little bit of cottage cheese.

Make sure the rice is white as it is easier to digest, that it has been cooked thoroughly until soft, and that nothing has been added to it such as salt or pepper. Wait until the rice is lukewarm before serving.

Sweet Potatoes

Potatoes can be a great carbohydrate to give to a sick dog as they are soft, have a high energy output, and can be mashed up with other food. However, because ordinary potatoes dont have much of a scent, sweet potatoes are the ideal type to use.

Sweet potatoes have more minerals than ordinary potatoes, have a distinct flavour, and have a stronger scent. They too can be mashed and tend to be softer than normal potatoes, and you can easily mix in carrots or small bits of chicken for more nutrients.

Make sure you only feed them this in moderation, and switch back to their ordinary food as soon as they start to feel better to avoid picky eating or complications.

Mashed Carrots

Carrots are another vegetable that is suitable for poorly dogs. Raw carrots are a tasty snack for dogs even when they arent sick but eating raw carrots can be tricky when they feel ill due to the effort needed to chew them.

They do have a scent, but cooking them draws it out even more, and softens the vegetable up so you can mash it up to make it easier for them to eat. Again, mix with a little bit of meat or sweet potato for more flavour, and feed in moderation.

Some Baby Foods

Another surprising addition to the list is jars of baby food. Not all baby foods are suitable for dogs, so you need to read the ingredients and be sure that there is nothing in it that could make their symptoms worse or add to them.

Items to watch out for include artificial flavourings, onion, and garlic. Baby food should only be used at the beginning of an illness to encourage them to eat. After that, transition to something more dog friendly as too much can also make them ill.

Baby food is great for activating a lost appetite because it has a distinctive scent, its made to be easy on the stomach, and it is easy to swallow.

Broth

Finally, if your dog seems uninterested in any solid food at all or has an issue with their mouth or throat, try cooking a bone broth or chicken broth for them to lick up. This will give them some hydration whilst feeding them much-needed nutrients for recovery.

Get some bones from the local butcher and add a couple of dog friendly vegetables such as carrots or potatoes to the pot. After youve done that, add some apple-cider vinegar and olive oil and cook on low heat in a crock pot for a day or two.

Ways to Feed a Sick Dog

Once you know what you are going to feed your dog and have it ready, you may be wondering how you can best encourage them to actually take it. Wag Walkingsuggest a couple of ways you can do this without stressing the dog.

First, you can offer the dog food via handfeeding. This means they dont have to move, so they dont stress their upset stomach even more. They are also more likely to attempt to eat if it comes from your hand.

Secondly, if the dogs appetite is gone entirely and refuses to eat anything, you can force feed them using a syringe. This only works if it is a liquid, so a broth or something specifically prescribed by the vet is best.

A video demonstrating how you can feed a poorly dog with a syringe can be found here, courtesy of YouTube channel eHowPets, but if you do go this route, you should call the vet for advice and guidance so you do it properly.

Finally, in some severe cases, your dog may need to be hospitalized and given a gastric tube that will feed them without actually needing to eat. This is very rare and happens in a select few instances, and if it does then the vet would teach you how to use it properly.

Tips When Caring for a Sick Dog

The animal charity Blue Cross have provided a helpful list of tips you can follow when caring for a sick dog:

• Dont feed them any leftovers this can make digestive illness worse.
• Give them easy access to a water bowl but monitor their water intake and check for signs of dehydration.
• Any water given should be boiled and cooled.
• Consult a veterinarian if symptoms change, dont improve, or worsen.
• Set a timer for any medications your dog needs to make sure they dont miss a dose.

Conclusion

To conclude, the following list of foods are suitable for a poorly dog with no appetite:

• Fish
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Mashed carrots
• Baby food
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Wet dog food
• Pumpkin
• White rice
• Broth

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the box below and we will reply as soon as possible.

Your sick dog may want to eat these foods instead of kibble

We all can spot the signs that our dog isnt feeling well: the droopy eyes, the dry nose, the accidents in our living rooms. Like humans, dogs get sick, and they can have similar digestive issues as well. Anytime you think your pooch might be feeling under the weather, be sure to schedule a trip to the vet to see if theres anything more serious going on. Even if its just a bad stomach, your animal doctor might be able to give you some meds to make your pup feel better. But if your dog doctor says its just the sniffles or a tummy ache, you may be sent home to nurse him back to health yourself. So, whats the dog equivalent of chicken noodle soup (we dont literally suggest it)?

What to feed a sick dog with no appetite

If your dog is turning his nose up at his kibble, you may need to look into alternatives. When your pups unable to keep anything down, you should pull aside his food and water dish for a few hours. But dont withhold water for long. He needs fluids to avoid dehydration, which can occur when he is throwing up or experiencing diarrhea. If thats all your pet keeps down for a meal or two, thats not a problem. Continue monitoring his food and water intake and keep giving him extra pets if he needs them.

Aside from kibble, you can try to tempt your furry friend with other foods, especially ones he doesnt normally get. Stay away from dog treats or dairy since those might be extra fatty and salty, which will probably make him feel worse. Instead, try these foods, which should give him enough to eat while also calming his tummy.

Rice

Instead of high-fat proteins, stick to easy foods like rice. Most dogs can eat this simple carb without issue (and there may be small amounts in his kibble already), but youll want to monitor him to be sure or ask your vet if your pup has a history of food allergies. Go ahead and overcook it into a more porridge-like consistency so he can lap it up without difficulty. You can even leave a bit of liquid if hes turning his nose up at his water bowl. We dont recommend any seasoning as hes already having digestive problems.

Chicken

In addition, you may want to give your sick boy poultry to round out his meal and ensure hes getting enough calories. Small pieces of chicken breast or shredded chicken will allow him to eat meat without worsening his tummy ache. Use a meat thats unbreaded and not spiced as those additions could revive your dogs stomach problems. Hell like it, too, if you cut it up in advance, as some dogs dont know how big their mouths are and a hungry pup could try to swallow a chicken breast whole.

Fruits and veggies

Youve tried chicken with rice and hes not biting. That means its time to tempt him with something else. A few fruits and vegetables go down easy and will probably feel all right for your pooch. When in doubt, boil everything for him during this time to help him digest easily. We recommend carrots and broccoli as many pups enjoy them and theyre a good source of vitamins. Celery and cucumbers might also be of interest, and the extra water will help keep him hydrated. Steer clear of fruits like tomatoes and citrus that are high in acid and might bring on another tummy ache.

Eggs

Hold off on raw egg for a bit if Fido is still throwing up or having other stomach issues. However, egg makes a good step up once he has stopped being sick but isnt ready for kibble yet. You can also make an impromptu fried rice with egg so he can keep down some protein before moving on to heavier foods.

Next time, you wont have to worry about what to feed a sick dog who wont eat. Stick with basic foods, like chicken and rice, that will go down (and stay down) while nursing your pooch back to health. Your pet will probably see this change in routine as a surprise snack. Hell thank you for the treats and the quick recovery.

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