struggling to eat

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Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,760
26,634
113
#2
Is it a problem swallowing? Or not wanting to eat? Has your
dog vomited recently or eaten something it should not have?
 

crmvet

Senior Member
Jul 4, 2013
4,696
1,240
113
#4
Philippians 4:19
 

Poinsetta

Well-known member
Nov 24, 2018
10,553
6,184
113
34
#6
Is it a problem swallowing? Or not wanting to eat? Has your
dog vomited recently or eaten something it should not have?
its just a thing that happens to senior dogs like they might not have appetite.
 

Niki7

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2023
2,145
799
113
#7
its just a thing that happens to senior dogs like they might not have appetite.
Hi Poinsetta
I have had dogs all my life and currently have 3 and have had to say goodbye to dogs I loved because of their age or illness so I have lots of experience with them

I am wondering, are you feeding dry? If you are, you might try switching to canned....it is really more palatable and even dogs with no teeth or trouble swallowing will often eat it.

you might also try some cooked chicken....just something to get your pup interested in food again

It's so hard when we love our pet to see them not doing so well.....I pray that you are able to get yours eating again....I am so sorry that you are having this difficult time with him
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
8,543
3,540
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#8
my dog is struggling to eat
When dogs came into our office with appetite, energy issues or just plain age related challenges, we would give them B12 supplementation.
I'm not advising you do since I'm not a vet and a vet would want to diagnose your dog as their patient. This was just an initial option followed by a fecal and routine exam. Balanced B complex and additional B12, (methylcobalamin, sublingual/under the tongue and in the cheeks), was my choice with my own animals.
Beef liver is a good source of B12.

In the office we used injectables.
We would weigh the animal and give the prescribed dosages.

I hope you discover the root cause and solution for your pet.
I will pray for him right now.
 

Poinsetta

Well-known member
Nov 24, 2018
10,553
6,184
113
34
#9
When dogs came into our office with appetite, energy issues or just plain age related challenges, we would give them B12 supplementation.
I'm not advising you do since I'm not a vet and a vet would want to diagnose your dog as their patient. This was just an initial option followed by a fecal and routine exam. Balanced B complex and additional B12, (methylcobalamin, sublingual/under the tongue and in the cheeks), was my choice with my own animals.
Beef liver is a good source of B12.

In the office we used injectables.
We would weigh the animal and give the prescribed dosages.

I hope you discover the root cause and solution for your pet.
I will pray for him right now.
thank you. :coffee::whistle:
 

Poinsetta

Well-known member
Nov 24, 2018
10,553
6,184
113
34
#10
Hi Poinsetta
I have had dogs all my life and currently have 3 and have had to say goodbye to dogs I loved because of their age or illness so I have lots of experience with them

I am wondering, are you feeding dry? If you are, you might try switching to canned....it is really more palatable and even dogs with no teeth or trouble swallowing will often eat it.

you might also try some cooked chicken....just something to get your pup interested in food again

It's so hard when we love our pet to see them not doing so well.....I pray that you are able to get yours eating again....I am so sorry that you are having this difficult time with him

thank you. I mean she does eat her food but it takes her a while she seems to go around it sometimes until she finally eats it all up.
 

Niki7

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2023
2,145
799
113
#11
thank you. I mean she does eat her food but it takes her a while she seems to go around it sometimes until she finally eats it all up.
another thing you might have a look at, is her teeth. you might know this, but dogs can get alot of tooth problems as well which can cause problems (pain) when eating
 

Poinsetta

Well-known member
Nov 24, 2018
10,553
6,184
113
34
#13
another thing you might have a look at, is her teeth. you might know this, but dogs can get alot of tooth problems as well which can cause problems (pain) when eating

oh, that's true I should check.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
8,543
3,540
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#15
One thing a vet should consider is the possibility of blockage. This is a common occurrence in people too. Dry food requires a lot of water to be converted into hydrochloric acid in the stomach for digestion and absorption for dry food motility.
Mg / magnesium citrate is what people use to get water to the digestive tract, but it requires a well hydrated person because it has to get that water from somewhere.

Blockage and constipation can induce this problem too. Increase water with the proper amount of electrolytes and there's usually no reason for harm there. The pinch test is a simple one, although it's not a precise assessment. You take a handful of loose skin on the back of the neck and pull up. It should spring back quickly in a well hydrated dog. In a dehydrated dog it returns slowly.

The heat from the hot spring is a factor.
Again, I have no idea about your dog, but just sharing one of the common problems with domestic animals and people that I would consider.
 

Poinsetta

Well-known member
Nov 24, 2018
10,553
6,184
113
34
#16
One thing a vet should consider is the possibility of blockage. This is a common occurrence in people too. Dry food requires a lot of water to be converted into hydrochloric acid in the stomach for digestion and absorption for dry food motility.
Mg / magnesium citrate is what people use to get water to the digestive tract, but it requires a well hydrated person because it has to get that water from somewhere.

Blockage and constipation can induce this problem too. Increase water with the proper amount of electrolytes and there's usually no reason for harm there. The pinch test is a simple one, although it's not a precise assessment. You take a handful of loose skin on the back of the neck and pull up. It should spring back quickly in a well hydrated dog. In a dehydrated dog it returns slowly.

The heat from the hot spring is a factor.
Again, I have no idea about your dog, but just sharing one of the common problems with domestic animals and people that I would consider.
thankyou
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
8,543
3,540
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#19
thank you she is eating her food its just sometimes it takes her a while lol but she's ok.
Praise the Lord!!!

That's so good to hear.
Older dogs are like people. The common thing overlooked by dog owners, including us is the focus on dental care. In my facilities, we've raised alligators, giant snakes, small mammals. They all have special needs and examined to catch challenges when they are small. ..Ounce of prevention...

Dental care can be helped in a number of ways. Sometimes they get sensitive teeth and infected tissue. If you don't have a good little flashlight, that is a good way to keep up every few days. A glance at the upper and lower gums and teeth. Brush and massage teeth/ gums, etc. Proper food and enough nutrients vitamins and minerals are low cost ways to keep healthy and avoid excessive vet costs.
You might be doing everything right, and no judgement. I'm just sharing what many members would likely benefit from.
Anyway, it's good to know your girl is eating ok.

Have a blessed weekend.