Best Appetite Stimulants for Dogs

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Dogs love eating, and if you notice your dog lost their appetite, you are right to get worried. However, just because your dog isn’t eating doesn’t mean they are necessarily sick, or something is wrong with them. Dogs can sometimes lose interest in their food, and that is where appetite stimulants for dogs come into play.

When to use appetite stimulants for dogs?

Keep in mind that a change in dog’s eating habits can be a sign something is wrong with them. Before you use appetite stimulants for dogs, you need to make sure they are not sick, and it would be best to have your vet check them out. If your dog is not eating for quite some time, and their health can get impacted by not eating, that’s when you go for appetite stimulants.

Even if your dog is sick and needs to recover, appetite stimulants can help them get some food. Stimulants will make sure your dog’s food is irresistible to them, and your dog will get some much-needed energy for recovery. Dogs can benefit from appetite stimulants when switching to new foods, take medications that decrease their appetite, or dogs that are on chemotherapy.

How to boost your dog’s appetite?

If you talked to your vet, and they told you to go for an appetite stimulant for your dog, you should pick one of these stimulants;

Rotisserie chicken

One of the cheapest and most effective ways to get your dog to eat some food is by mixing some rotisserie chicken in their kibble. However, you should make sure the chicken wasn’t marinated with things that are toxic to dogs, like onions or garlic. You can warm up your dog’s food or hand feed them to make sure they will eat it.

Keep in mind that your dog shouldn’t eat chicken bones or skin. If your dog is a picky eater, they will enjoy this appetite stimulant. Still, you shouldn’t give them all parts of the rotisserie chicken. Only feed your dog white meat, and make sure you don’t overfeed them.

Meclizine

Meclizine is an antihistamine that is often used to reduce nausea caused by vertigo in dogs. Dogs that are nauseated might not eat, and meclizine might be a good appetite stimulant that can help your dog get their appetite back. However, before you decide to medicate your dog, you should talk to your vet and make sure they are aware of the situation.

Mirtazapine

If you tried chicken and it doesn’t work, it might be time for a pharmaceutical appetite stimulant. Mirtazapine is a medication commonly prescribed to dogs with decreased appetites due to medical issues like kidney infections or cancer. This is a medication that affects the dog’s central nervous system and boosts their serotonin. However, it should not be given to dogs that are on SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Dogs can stop eating for many different reasons. You can read more about it here - Why is my dog not eating?

Acupuncture

While Western medicine doesn’t understand acupuncture, it cannot deny its effectiveness. Dogs with severe health conditions can benefit from it. Acupuncture will not cure a disease, but it might reduce inflammation, pain, or nausea. Dogs suffering from liver or kidney failure, pancreatitis, diabetes, or Addison’s disease, might have their appetite boosted with acupuncture.

Ghrelin Receptor Agonist

If you never heard of Ghrelin Receptor Agonist, it is because this is a relatively new medication that mimics the effect hormone ghrelin has on the body. Ghrelin is a hormone that makes humans and dogs feel hungry. This medication will bind the hormone to the dog’s brain and make them think they are hungry. That is especially useful if your dog has a dangerously low appetite.

CBD

Many US states started legalizing medicinal and recreational use of marijuana. There is no denying CBD (cannabidiol) has medicinal properties, and it is taking the pet industry by storm. There are hundreds of products available to dog owners that need to give some CBD to their dogs. CBD can reduce the dog’s pain and act as an appetite stimulant.

However, keep in mind that CBD and THC are different. While CBD is not toxic to dogs, THC is. Before you decide to give your dog CBD products, check with your vet if your dog can take these products and ask for recommendations. In the meantime, you can read more about CBD here - CBD oil for dogs.

You can check some great CBD-based products for dogs here - CBD dog treats.

World Dog Finder team