Some dogs are very attached to their owners and become stressed when their beloved master is away. This anxiety can cause them to lose their appetite, which can make your trip less enjoyable as you worry about your canine companion.
This behavior is caused by anxiety, so to manage it, you need to focus on reducing that anxiety. While there are several ways to address it, keep in mind that your dog may not fully respond to every method. Some approaches may also be easier for the person looking after him than others.
Choice of Food
If your dog refuses his usual food and his caregiver is concerned about his condition, they may want to offer something more appealing. This could be enough to encourage him to eat a few mouthfuls. In the short term, it’s not essential that his diet is nutritionally balanced; the priority is simply getting him to eat.
- Baby food is often a hit with dogs due to its tastiness and ease of consumption. Try various types such as meat, rice, or custard to find out which your dog prefers.
- Lean chicken or beef, gently cooked, is another option that most dogs can’t resist. The main downside is the cost; feeding a large dog with this for a week or two can be expensive!
- Your veterinarian can provide a prescription food specially formulated for dogs recovering from illness. This can be helpful even if your dog isn’t ill, as it’s highly digestible and packed with nutrients. Even if he doesn’t eat much, he will still get a good amount of energy, vitamins, and minerals.
- Other tricks that can help include warming the food slightly or adding some broth or stock to enhance its flavor.
Pheromones
Dog appeasing pheromones are chemicals produced by female dogs when feeding their puppies. These pheromones are designed to calm and relax the pups, and a synthetic version has been used successfully to treat anxiety-related disorders in adult dogs.
The pheromone can be sprayed onto a bandana that your dog wears around his neck. Alternatively, you can use a dog appeasing pheromone diffuser plugged into the room where your dog spends most of his time. Many boarding facilities now use dog appeasing pheromones in their kennels to help guests relax.
Behavior Modification
Increasing the amount of time your dog spends doing something enjoyable can help alleviate anxiety-related behaviors.
Examples include grooming or using Tellington Touch, a gentle massage method that helps your dog relax and strengthens his bond with his caregiver. Playtime and more frequent walks are also beneficial.
If possible, try increasing the intensity of your dog’s exercise by making him walk faster or even taking him for a jog. This can release endorphins, giving him the canine equivalent of a “runner’s high.” It also helps burn calories and may make him hungrier.
Using Drugs to Induce Eating
Certain medications can be useful in reducing anxiety and stimulating appetite in dogs. Valium (diazepam) is often prescribed to calm anxiety, while Xanax (alprazolam) is commonly used for canine anxiety issues.
Avanza (mirtazapine), a human antidepressant, has been shown to have a positive effect on a dog’s appetite.
In some cases, combining one of these medications with dog appeasing pheromones can help a stressed dog start eating again.
It’s important not to administer any medication to your dog without consulting your veterinarian first.
Is Your Dog Attention Seeking?
If your dog isn’t eating, it’s likely that both you and his caregiver are fussing over him, offering special foods, and monitoring whether he eats. This attention can reinforce the behavior, and some dogs will quickly learn that not eating results in more attention.
To rule out attention-seeking behavior, place your dog in another room with his food bowl, and leave him there for about half an hour. If he still doesn’t eat, take him out and try again.
It’s understandable to worry about your dog’s eating habits when you’re away, but rest assured that a healthy dog won’t starve when food is available. Dogs can go without food for several days without harm as long as they have access to water.
Start by trying these techniques when you’re away for just a day or two. This will help you discover what works best for your dog. As you find the most effective methods, you can feel more confident leaving him for longer periods without worrying about his food intake.
