What are your top tips for getting a sick dog to eat?

[OblivionAndBeyond]

The pup is currently on antibiotics and anti inflammatories for an anal gland infection. He's drinking fine but not eating at all. He last ate on Sunday night!

He's just been back to the vets who drew bloods for testing and gave him an anti nausea jab because there are signs the dog feels sick, possibly due to the anti inflammatory meds he was taking.

Vet has said to keep trying to get him to eat little and often and given him the green light to be fed pretty much anything he wants within reason. But the dog is turning his head from all of the usual delicacies like steak.

Anyone have any super tips for encouraging a sickie dog to eat something?

Mine absolutely loves Chicken Soup.
I have given him that after 2 operations and he hasn't been in the mood for eating anything else.
Just half a tin seems to kickstart him into eating.

We buy cheap pate (Tesco or Aldi, human grade stuff not doggo) and hide antibiotics or meds in. Our dog laps it up.
Our dog had an operation recently and wouldn't eat or drink, but we offered her full fat milk (blue top) and she drank some of that and it seemed to spark her appetite.
Good luck 🍀

I would go with bland foods if possible - chicken for example. Steak might smell too rich if he's nauseous.

Mine always manages some scrambled egg even when she’s not well.

Is he drinking plain water or have you tried Oralade or Bone broth?
The former will keep his electrolyte balance in check. Especially if it’s hot where you are.

Nausea and / or pain could be killing his appetite. Try some scrambled egg ( no butter) or some boiled chicken/ rice. White fish if he likes it. Avoid rich foods like steak.

If it continues ask to discontinue the anti-inflamatories and move to paracetamol. My bitch gets very sick on NSAIDs, especially on an empty stomach.

Ooh I've never tried that..sounds good. Our dog is due another operation soon so I'll introduce chicken soup to her diet, thanks for the tip.

chicken and rice. Steak and delicacies are likely too rich.

Hand feeding? Eating a bit yourself to show it’s safe? Don’t just plomp it in a bowl - when dogs are sick they want love and TLC IME.

When my old girl (who’s only actually 11) is sick I chew it first (no swallowing) then regurgitate like a mother bird does for her babies. No idea why, but she absolutely devours it if I’ve ‘eaten’ it first - maybe because then she knows it’s safe to eat as I’ve had it? And yes (before anyone comes at me) I know it’s grim but I’d do anything for that dog, so if I have to masticate some chicken for her, then I will.

White fish, scrambled egg (just egg) or tinned fish in oil work a treat here

He doesn't have it often, just when under the weather.

He's had 2 operations and has suffered ripped paw pads. They all left him feeling really sorry for himself and off his food. My vet suggested it after the first op because he needed medication and wouldn't eat his normal food.

Not a lot though, because it is salty etc.

A little bit of liver pate? Or tinned sardines,or salmon, I’ve never known those to be
refused.
Try giving him a little pro biotic paste that sometimes will nudge them to eat after an hour or two to settle the stomach. I use this which I always keep in stock.
https://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-supplements-cat-supplements-dog-diarrhoea-cat-diarrhoea-c-5_145/vetuk-probiotic-kolin-paste-for-cats-and-dogs-p-20356

@Hellohah (by introducing the chicken soup to her diet) I just meant after her operation or when under the weather and she won't eat, sorry I wasn't clear. I wouldn't feed all the time, as you say it's quite salty.

Human food? Ddog has never refused handfed human food

Thanks everyone.

So far we've been using pate to get his meds down but he won't take it voluntarily. It just means he accepts the 'pushed to the back of his mouth' method more readily than dry tablet.

Won't take toast - his favourite.

Won't take roast chicken. Or the steak, as I said.

Won't take pilchards or salmon.

Won't take cheese

All hand fed and all offered as a titbit off my plate while I eat some of the food first - all met with a sniff and head turned away. God this is worrying. It's just so long for him to be without any food at all.

He's been taken off the anti inflammatories but I think it'll be tomorrow be the time they are out of his system. I may try the suggested chicken soup then.

I am just so worried that this is going to turn out to be something really serious. This dog is my buddy and my shadow.

Ps he has always scorned scrambled eggs so I haven't tried those.

Maybe plain rice might an option for tomorrow also? In normal
times he likes it.

Is he drinking plain water or have you tried Oralade or Bone broth?
The former will keep his electrolyte balance in check. Especially if it’s hot where you are.

Thanks. He's being tested for electrolytes levels so I'll keep him with plain water until we get the results back but something to consider if they come back low - which they may well do. As you say, he's had the bad luck of being sick on some of the hottest days of the year!

@Darklane thanks for the recommendation of probiotics. I may get some in, just in case they help.

i do boiled chicken
or scrambled egg
or plain rice
but i have never had the situation, only fed for upset stomach.
hope you can manage op@OblivionAndBeyond

I have a friend who swears by a doughnut for a dog that won’t eat.

mine likes yoghurt
also likes cucumber,

@Wolfiefan - at least if I am going first the 'eat a bit first myself' option then I might enjoy i- doughnut! So far eating a bit of all these foods is leaving ME feeling a bit queasy!

Yoghurt, Primula, scrambled eggs, jars of baby food (the chicken and squash one goes down well ). Tuna, sardines, the pouches of cat food, Butcher's tinned tripe. If you can bear to, hold food in your hand so the smell develops.

Similarly, mine will always go for a bite of croissant even when refusing everything else. It's my last-resort for coaxing into eating.

I know that feeling of despair. Have you got Amazon Prime? If not, start a free trial and get these delivered for tomorrow. Order some syringes or a dropper too, because if he's not taking any nutrition you'll need to help him. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Variety-straight-Collagen-Digestion-servings/dp/B0BNLBNYX6/ref=sr_1_7?crid=31KDID9YP40RP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J2u-7so1ty_d_vefU_by_tMgvHw_kPGIGign5zI7XdpzJaiJREzFdHgwVsH046UVwuK7khQF4lhP8nY7UJOGUylenNShMlxYHdlg0YImNVX4IXpBKXfpe-RVgWd0px1ou732dmCBCN3EvzgaPS-rJeQ9GnCuflJBMzDsd1wN4OTTRkt6Lti6Xo6MZ2EuUFzW7jsSqXMy6haRnaiPOaYUloSak0O0XvNumBSb-hgFGPIgCYOMyxGjpzM-Wt54L23fgteLNaBmlmzvdEVRyaCTJrP-BHTHV628lQ5TiraJ8F4.7KERDxuf-zB6IY_gqUcfr1wFarLf7vg5T0fXSCXTlOY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Bone%2Bbroth%2Bfood%2Bdog&qid=1722446587&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=bone%2Bbroth%2Bfood%2Bdog%2Cpets%2C88&sr=1-7&th=1

Oh God. The vet just called with the blood results. Everything fine except he is anaemic and yet showing very strong signs of there being loads of "baby" red blood cells in his blood. So, for whatever reason they are not making it to maturity or sticking around.

Back in first thing for a scan of his spleen. What the hell could that mean?!?!

Oh God. What if this really IS serious?

I'd be tempted to pull out the big guns as a one off and offer biscuits / doughnut / cake. Something delicious that you wouldn't normally offer a dog! Just to see if he will have a nibble

Hope it turns out to be something treatable - everything crossed!