Loss of appetite is one of the primary signs of illness in dogs, making it important for an owner to provide light and easily digestible meals to an uninterested canine patient.
Start off by warming up some bone broth, boiled chicken (including any meat that fell off during its preparation), white fish or vegetables such as carrots or sweet potatoes to help create more appealing aromas that could draw reluctant eaters in.
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Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice is an easy food combination for dogs to digest. The chicken provides protein and carbohydrates while rice can soothe an upset stomach. Make sure that any chicken pieces you serve your pup are unseasoned (seasonings can further upset their stomach), cut into bite-size pieces for easy consumption, and served in small servings – white is preferred, but basmati or jasmine varieties also work fine.
Try offering your dog some skinless, boneless chicken breasts or lightly scrambled eggs; both are extremely easy to digest while providing essential proteins, vitamins, fats and amino acids to their diets.
Bone broth can also be an ideal remedy for an ailing canine as its soothing digestive qualities and ample vitamins can aid recovery. Add it to their meals or use as a refreshing drink. It may even stimulate their appetite. Bone broth’s high calcium, magnesium, and potassium content helps promote strong bones, muscles, and nerves – essential elements that support good health in both dogs and humans alike!
Meat-Based Baby Food
When your dog is feeling under the weather, their appetite may decrease significantly and they may turn down regular meals altogether. Highly palatable foods may help in these instances; for example boiled chicken and turkey breast, lightly scrambled eggs cooked with low sodium broth, and meat-based baby food are all highly palatable and easy to digest for sick dogs.
Steamed and pureed vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin may help soothe an upset stomach while providing fiber to firm up loose stools.
Once your pup’s appetite improves, gradually introduce back their regular kibble. Don’t forget to provide plenty of water as well, to stay hydrated. If they again lose appetite though, be sure to consult with a vet as this could indicate serious medical conditions; ultimately the goal should be for them to eat enough so they can recover faster.
Fish
If your dog has stopped eating due to an upset stomach and has fasted for 12-24 hours (as per veterinarian recommendation), try feeding her these foods:
Salmon or white fish is an ideal protein-rich choice that is also gentle on digestion, so lightly poach it in water until all bones have been removed and give this dish to your sick pup. Scrambled eggs provide another great source of protein; add plain yogurt or cottage cheese as an addition for soothing their stomach, or include probiotic supplements like Open Farm’s FortiFlora into their diet to treat diarrhea while encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in her gut.
Be sure to provide your pet with plenty of fresh filtered or spring water, to stay hydrated. If they cease eating and show signs of dehydration or health concerns, immediately call your veterinarian.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is an easy-to-digest liquid made by simmering animal parts like marrow bones, skin and feet, tendons and ligaments for several hours in water or other liquid. Packed full of healing compounds like collagen, amino acids (especially proline, glycine and glutamine), glucosamine and trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium phosphorus silicon and sulfur; bone broth offers many health benefits to its consumers.
An nutrient-rich broth can help soothe an upset digestive tract. Studies suggest that gelatin from the broth can protect and heal the gut lining, and may even prevent future flare-ups.
Mass advises using bone broth as the foundation of any diet intended to soothe an upset stomach in your pup. She cautions that broth should never replace meals, and suggests gradually introducing it over time while monitoring their reaction. Poaching eggs also benefit greatly from using bone broth, providing protein and moisture. It should also be noted that feeding boiled, fatty meats could aggravate pancreatitis further by further upsetting their stomachs.
