Safe Natural Appetite Boosters for Dogs: Enhance Eating Without Meds

Most dogs are food-motivated and eat willingly, but others are finicky and are picky eaters. Getting the unwilling dog to eat is a challenge, especially if the dog is recuperating from illness. He might not have much appetite but needs to eat to gain strength.

If a dog with a normally robust appetite stops eating, check with the vet to diagnose the problem. Medications are available to stimulate eating, but for those who don't want to use drugs to increase dog appetite, a natural appetite stimulant for dogs might get your pet eating again.

Some dogs won't eat alone

If your dog is a picky eater or is leaving food behind when you leave the room, the issue might be psychological rather than medical. Some dogs don't like to eat alone and choose to follow their owner or caretaker around rather than eat. The solution to this issue is simple: keeping a dog company while he eats. When you praise a puppy for eating, you sometimes reinforce these dependency behaviors without realizing it.

If sitting with your dog for an entire meal is too much, try portioning out the dog's daily food rather than feeding it all at once. You'll spend less time watching him eat, and it might help fussy eaters find mealtime more interesting.

Human food as appetite stimulant for dogs

Dogs do best on high-quality diets designed specifically for them. However, dogs recuperating from illness might lack appetite, and for short periods of time, giving them baby food, cooked chicken, or broth can get them back on the road to a healthy appetite. However, do this with caution, as too often can mean your dog will hold out when given dog food, waiting instead for the tastier people food.

Pumpkin for gastric upset

If your dog is usually an active eater but becomes picky temporarily, it might be a gastric upset issue. Dogs are natural scavengers and often eat things they shouldn't from the ground. In these cases, the gastric upset is temporary. Signs are vomiting (only once or twice) and diarrhea. In this case, pumpkin puree high in fiber can help. Natural pumpkin puree — not pie filling — can help both diarrhea and constipation and get your dog eating again.

However, if the issue lasts more than 24 hours, you might have a bigger problem. Gastric reflux in dogs, a chronic condition, can cause difficulties with appetite. Only a veterinarian can make a definite diagnosis, which is done by conducting an esophagoscopy, or internal examination of the esophagus. If it turns out your dog suffers from gastric reflux, putting the food dish on a raised platform, such as a stool or box, will help with the condition and make eating more comfortable. Dietary changes, such as a low-protein and low-fat diet, are part of the treatment.

Herbs as a natural appetite stimulant for dogs

Many herbs used to stimulate human appetite are suitable natural appetite stimulants for dogs. Among them is the dandelion — the same yellow flower sprouting all over suburban lawns — which is considered a superfood. Dandelion is available in capsule form at health food stores (but consult a vet about dosage for the size of your dog) and can be mixed with food or wrapped in cheese as a treat.

Other herbs that aid digestion are chamomile in very low amounts, celery seed, and milk thistle. Check with the vet before giving herbs to a sick animal.

Vitamin B supplement to increase dog appetite

Vitamin B is a necessary vitamin for dog health, and there's anecdotal evidence that it can stimulate appetite. However, like all vitamins, it is best to absorb it by eating foods. Foods for dogs that contain vitamin B include pork, chicken, and oats. Vitamin B deficiency in dogs is rare.

However, if your dog is not eating and you are using vitamin B as a supplement to increase dog appetite, it's best to buy supplements from a vet or an over-the-counter version formulated specifically for dogs. Dosing will be more accurate. It is possible to overdose a dog with vitamin supplements. Most commercial foods have enough vitamins; homemade food, however, might be deficient.

Brewers' yeast is another good source of B vitamins, and the tablets can be given as a treat. It is also available as a powder that can be sprinkled on food. Pet stores offer all-around supplements for dogs that ensure they are getting sufficient vitamins and minerals even if they lack appetite.