How to get my sick puppy to eat and regain appetite?

I am very sorry to hear that Nova is experiencing these problems, I am sure it is very unsettling for you both. There are a number of potential causes of such clinical signs, including dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, parasite infestation, infection, and ingestion of a toxin or poison. I would believe the most likely cause is a dietary indiscretion, as puppies are known for getting into things they shouldn't. Because you have only noticed one episode, I would continue to monitor Nova at home. Rest Nova's gastrointestinal tract by holding back food for a few hours. Then you can continue with a bland and easily digested food of the boiled chicken breast and white rice diet and provide plenty of fresh water. I also find that boiled, mashed skinless sweet potato is helpful for diarrhoea if it were to begin. If Nova does not improve, has profuse vomiting or diarrhoea, you notice fresh blood, Nova seems lethargic, in pain or depressed I would advise a trip to the veterinarian. Here are some links to helpful resources for you if diarrhea starts; https://www.petcoach.co/article/most-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea/ I hope that answer was helpful and more importantly that Nova feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Diarrhea can be caused by many things such as diet, intestinal parasites and viral infections. I would recommend initiating a bland diet as outlined below. However, with the symptoms you have described, it sounds as though he may also be dehydrated. I would recommend taking him in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. He may need fluids administered under the skin for hydration and further testing (parvo testing) since he is so young and still has the potential to come down with parvo if he has come in contact with it. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. TRANSITION BACK TO A NORMAL DIET Never transition back to a regular diet rapidly. Transition back to the regular diet over a 1 week period. Start by adding 25% of the regular diet to 75% of the bland diet and feed that combination for 2 days. If stools continue to be firm then continue substituting the regular diet in 25% increments and feeding the combination in 2 day time intervals until the diet is 100% regular diet. Minimize treats for 1 week after moving the diet back to 100% regular diet.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Alex. He needs to eat to have enough calories to support his immune system. Ask his veterinarian to prescribe anti-nausea medication. If the nausea can be stopped, his appetite should improve. I hope this information helps!

If your dog is recovering from parvo you should not be offering any foods other than his regular diet or bland meals of boiled rice and chicken as the other foods may cause the already irritated intestinal lining to become worse or prolong the irritation. If he is not eating his food there may still be some underlying pain or GI upset. You can offer a bland meal of boiled rice and chicken for a day or so, however if the lack of appetite continues or he does not begin to eat his food it is best to seek veterinary care.

This could be distemper but could also just be a little upset tummy or parasites. There are a lot of different things that can cause loss of appetite. I would try to offer him some plain boiled boneless skinless chicken and white rice to see if this entices him to eat and settles his tummy. If he is still not eating then I would have your vet take a look at him. These little puppies can get dehydrated really quick so I don’t recommend waiting to see a vet for too long. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better soon!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Orioz! Once Orioz has stopped vomiting, gently start syringe feeding a well balance canned puppy food (purina proplan puppy, royal canin, Hills, etc). Syringe small amounts several times per day. Add water to the canned food to make it more liquidy so it can pass through the syringe. Skip a feeding if he vomits. Continue syringe feeding until he starts to eat on his own. This can take several days. I hope this helps and I wish Orioz a speedy recovery!

The Royal Canin Giant Starter is a balanced diet on it's own. You do not need to, nor should you, feed anything else. Fruits are not good - too high in sugar. The egg and cottage cheese are probably fine but really not necessary. I understand you may be vegetarian but please understand that dogs are not and they need meat in order to survive. My recommendation is to only feed the Royal Canin. He doesn't appear to be too thin in the photos.