Page 92 - Prevention - USA (April 2020)
P. 92
FAM I LY
1 2 When to get
Why pets
concerned
stop eating
How long you should wait before
First, ensure that your pet
calling your vet depends on your pet
has actually gone off her
and her personality. “It’s probably
food, recommends Cailin
Heinze, D.V.M., a veteri-
a chowhound,” Heinze says. She suggests
nary nutritionist and an
bringing such an animal in after 24 hours,
adjunct professor at Cummings more of a concern if your animal is usually
School of Veterinary Medicine while pickier pets can wait up to 48. Over-
at Tufts University. “Are we weight cats who stop eating should be taken
talking about not eating at all? to the vet immediately, Long says; cats who
Or are we talking about eating lose weight rapidly are at risk for the liver
a little bit less than usual?” She disease hepatic lipidosis, which can be fatal.
If your pet shows other signs of illness,
recommends weighing your
pet’s food to determine how such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, bring
her in for a workup. “We start to worry if it’s
much she actually consumes,
been more than three days with no calories,
especially if you free-feed.
regardless of the symptoms,” Heinze says.
That will help you understand
“That’s where you can start having problems
whether your pet has totally
from the lack of calories alone, not just from
stopped feeding herself or just
whatever underlying condition is causing it.”
won’t do it in front of you.
“When a cat or dog stops How to tempt
disease can all be causes. Long 3 their appetites
eating, it usually means there
is nausea present,” explains
Christie Long, D.V.M., head of
To get your pet eating again,
veterinary medicine at Modern
especially if she usually digs
Animal. Gastrointestinal illness,
right in, try swapping out her
dizziness, and kidney or liver
food for some from a new bag.
You can also microwave wet
adds that dental pain can also pet food for a few seconds, Long says; cats
lead pets not to eat as much as especially like the heightened aroma. A little
usual, but it’s far less common. unseasoned white chicken or turkey meat
Another possibility: If your pet or low-sodium chicken broth mixed in with
won’t touch her food at all, their kibble will entice dogs.
especially from a new bag, the And when traveling or changing your
food may have gone bad, says pet’s routine, try putting her bowl in a
Heinze. Because pets can detect quiet area so she can eat in peace. Finally,
even subtle rancid odors, they Heinze adds that veterinarians can prescribe
can tell something is off long appetite stimulants, especially in cases of
before we can. illness-related appetite loss.
90 PREVENTION.COM • AP R I L 2020
