An appetite stimulant for dogs can be a great way to restore your pup’s joy in eating and give him or her more good days. Learn about at-home strategies and several prescription medications from integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby.
When I talk with my veterinary clients about quality of life for their older or sick dog, we often talk about appetite in connection with “good days” and “bad days.” Many times, my clients describe the relationship between appetite and quality of life in one of the two ways:
“When my dog hears me open the bag of dog food and comes running, it’s a good day.”
Or…
“She used to love her food and treats. Now she just looks at it and walks away.”
Much like people, when our dogs have an appetite and enjoy food, it’s an indication of good health and happiness. So it makes sense that a good day almost always includes enjoyment of food and treats. But why does a dog suffer from appetite loss, and what are some ways to boost or maintain a dog’s appetite? Let’s look at both.
Why do dogs lose their appetite?
When appetite starts to fall, it is often due to a disease or condition such as:
- Cancer
- Kidney disease or liver disease
- Gastrointestinal (GI) disease (including pancreatitis in dogs)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Pain
- Surgical recovery
- Dental disease in dogs
- Tooth root abscess in dogs
Unfortunately, these and other common illnesses that accompany old age can cause an upset stomach as a side effect. This may be due to either the disease process itself or the medications necessary to manage the condition. Few things are worse than feeling forced to choose between life-extending treatment and your dog’s enjoyment of food. However, dog parents can rest assured that there are ways to help tempt a dog to eat. Often, the initial refusal to eat is easily overcome with the right tools.
What can I do at home to stimulate my dog’s appetite?
Some dogs just need a boost after a surgery, painful event, or stressful life change like a move to a new home or bringing home a new baby. For these cases, an at-home approach is often all the dog needs. The good news is that this usually includes some simple techniques and foods most of us already have access to at home. Here are four helpful tips for boosting your dog’s appetite:
1. Warm your dog’s canned food.
When something smells good it’s more tempting to eat. This is true for both humans and dogs. That’s why, if your dog eats wet or canned dog food, try warming it up slightly. How often does the mouth-watering aroma of dinner wafting out of the oven cause a sudden wave of hunger to hit you? The same goes for our pets!
2. Add something yummy to the food.
For dogs who eat dry food, try adding a small amount of canned dog food or even canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) to the bowl. Depending on your pet’s medical condition, it may be ok to also mix in small amounts of tasty foods like cooked lean hamburger, chicken, or cottage cheese (but check with your vet first). Some kinds of baby food can also tempt a dog to eat. However, be sure to avoid any baby foods with onion or garlic as those ingredients are toxic to dogs.
Adding some water to your dog’s dry food and allowing it to sit for a few minutes is another option. This creates a gravy effect that many dogs seem to enjoy. Particularly for dogs who are on a prescription or restricted diet, it can be a great way to make the food more appetizing without compromising any benefits of the diet.
It’s important to note that all of these options are best used to coat your dog’s regular food, so your pet gets a balanced diet of traditional dog food. With the exception of canned dog food, none of these mix-ins provide all the necessary nutrients for a healthy and complete diet.
3. Try hand feeding your dog and giving extra TLC at mealtime.
Sometimes our pets just feel better sitting with us and getting some Tender Loving Care—good old vitamin TLC! Consider hand feeding your dog to tempt him or her to eat. This can also help reinforce your bond.
4. Ask your vet about over-the-counter medications.
Some stomach acid reducing medications like famotidine or omeprazole may be enough to settle mild stomach discomfort. However, you should never decide to try this (or any other medications) without speaking with your veterinarian first. He or she can advise you on the correct medication, dose, timing, and frequency for your dog’s specific condition. Not all medications are appropriate for all dogs, so rely on your vet’s input.
What are some prescription medications that can boost my dog’s appetite?
In other cases, the at-home strategies aren’t quite enough to get a dog to eat. This is when your vet may decide to prescribe one of the following medications.
Mirtazapine
The anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties of Mirtazapine can help many dogs regain an appetite. Like most of these medications, it is safe to give every day. Veterinarians have been using Mirtazapine extensively for a long time, so is often a first choice.
Entyce
This is a newer product which is designed especially for dogs. Entyce is available as a liquid and is administered once a day. These qualities are rapidly making it a popular choice among vets and dog parents. Entyce works in a unique way when compared to most other appetite simulant medications.
While other medications largely rely on reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting to increase desire to eat, Entcye works by directly mimicking the hormone ghrelin. This is a substance the body naturally produces to create the feeling of hunger. As an added benefit, Entyce can safely be combined with other appetite stimulants since it works differently.
Cerenia
You may be familiar with Cerenia if you have a dog who gets carsick or has experienced bouts of vomiting. It is primarily an anti-nausea medication. If a pet is not eating because of nausea, sometimes simply removing the nausea may help improve appetite. After all, we all know how it seems impossible to eat when your stomach doesn’t feel good! Often a low dose of Cerenia works well if given daily.
Cerenia also helps eliminate visceral pain. This is the pain our body doesn’t always know how to tell us is pain, because it comes from inside our bellies. Blocking this discomfort can make our patients much more likely to eat as well make them more comfortable. Conveniently, Cerenia can be administered in your vet’s office as an injection so your dog doesn’t need to take a pill or liquid for it to start helping.
Meclizine
This is another anti-vomiting medication that is especially helpful for treating lack of appetite due to old dog vestibular disease. Vestibular disease interferes with a dog’s sense of balance, which can lead to dizziness. Affected dogs may be unable to stand and may not want to eat because their world is spinning. The vertigo, or spinning sensation, makes them nauseous. Meclizine can relieve the nausea and associated loss of appetite.
Dronabinol
Cannabinoids such as dronabinol are a synthetic form of THC. Although there is some possibility of adverse effects like incoordination, cannabinoids can still be worth trying, especially in pets where none of our other choices are helping anymore. There’s been some discussion about other CBD products for dogs which are coming on to the market, but they don’t currently appear to be useful as an appetite stimulant.
How am I supposed to get medications into a dog who won’t eat?
How many times have I heard clients laugh when I suggest a pill to get their dog to eat? I get it! Most of us are using food to hide medication. If you have already tried all the suggestions in my blog Your Dog Won’t Take Pills? 5 Easy Solutions for Uncooperative Pooches (and read the comments because there are some great ideas there too), then it might be time to think about compounded medications.
These are prescription medicines that a specialty pharmacy has made into formulations that are not commercially available. This makes the medicines as palatable and easy to give as possible. Sometimes this means the pharmacy will make a liquid or chewable flavored formulation of the medication. A few of the more popular flavors are chicken, beef, or marshmallow (yes, our pets love marshmallow flavor!).
In other situations, the compounding pharmacy may be able to formulate the medication as a cream that you apply to hairless skin, usually on the inner ear. This is known as a transdermal formulation, and relies on the medications being absorbed through the skin. Transdermal medication is especially helpful for a pet who won’t eat in the first place.
To learn more about compounded medications, check out the AVMA’s compounding FAQs for pet owners.
Do appetite stimulants for dogs actually work?
I firmly believe that when the loving attention of a pet parent is coupled with the diligence of a committed veterinarian, the appropriate medication or combination of therapies can bring back enjoyment of food and a healthy appetite. Finding the right approach can sometimes take time and often changes as a disease progresses. But, it can be done!
The proof is in the (empty) dog dish
One of my favorite patients receiving hospice care was a much beloved older Dachshund with a host of chronic medical concerns. His owners were willing to change and adapt both his and their routines and medications as he progressively changed his very particular old dog habits. Initially, we used just mirtazapine every other day and that was enough to have him back to his meals. That first success phone call was a joy for us all!
When his owners noticed that he was picking out just his favorite treats and leaving his real meals again, we increased his dose to daily use. When that too failed to keep him emptying his dish, we spoke at length about the benefits of using the human medication dronabinol which did gift him some extra happy time with his family.
Your veterinarian is here to help
As a vet, it is so gratifying to give a pet back something that gives him or her joy. Hearing from a dog parent that a previously uninterested, not hungry, and sad dog is once again happily licking the bowl clean is one of the most rewarding parts of hospice and older dog care.
If your dog is losing his or her appetite, talk to your veterinarian. There are so many options that can help your dog regain an appetite (and so many reasons dogs lose their appetite). Your vet can help get to the bottom of the problem so your dog can start getting to the bottom of the food dish again.
What has worked to give your dog’s appetite a boost?
Please comment below. We can learn so much from each other.
I like herbsmith kibble seasoning to add a boost
Our goldendoodle used to be content with his kibble. Now that he’s 13.5 he reminds me iof my 100 yr old dad who only wanted to eat carvel. Our strategy with our senior dog is chicken soup and rice. i pour chicken broth into the kibble now, and he usually waits for the mixture to soften before he eats it. I might also mix in some clean proteins like chicken, or tuna, or offer cottage cheese or yogurt in another bowl . If he has loose stool, which is often I’ll put rice in there too. He also likes Buzby’s movement supplements.. Sometimes a treat is enough to remind him that food is good. Huge thanks to you Dr Buzby for this wonderful forum, and your generous wisdom..
Dear Maxine,
I appreciate the kind words! I am glad you have found some foods your senior guy likes that help to encourage him to eat. I love that he looks forward to his Encore Mobility supplement. ♥ Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Wishing you nothing but the best!
My almost 1yr old dachshund has not got a good appetite- I think I may have spoilt him with cooked chicken as a pup but was never one for wet dog food.If anything he will eat tiny bits of wet cat food.I have tried every brand of dog & cat food from the most expensive to the economy brands. Sometimes he can go 4/5 days hardly touching food.He does like bread & butter so I relent & give him chicken sandwiches ( I know,but what can I do) I’ve tried salmon oil on dog/cat food which worked a few times but not interested now. I’ve cooked minced beef ( doggy beef burgers) which sometimes will eat & almost enjoy! But anything I do he tires off eventually.I’m literally pulling my hair out as I don’t know what to do ! Any information/ideas would be extremely appreciated 🙏🏻
Hi Debbie,
I can only imagine how frustrated you must be trying to find a food your pup will reliably eat. While this picky appetite could be behavioral, I always recommend you make sure nothing medical is contributing to the issue. It would be a good idea to have your Dachshund examined by your vet and maybe even do some blood work to make sure everything is normal. If no abnormalities are found, then you can focus on this as a behavioral problem. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t give specific conclusions. But I have seen my own clients create problems with their dogs’ eating habits by offering extra foods and toppings as incentives to finish their meal. Dogs are smart and they will quickly learn that if they don’t eat their food, you will add something extra special to it. They can quickly train us to give them special treats this way. Also, your pup’s daily calorie needs may be fairly low. So, it is possible he can get what he needs from a very small portion of what you are offering. I truly feel like you need to talk to your vet about this situation. They can calculate what your pup needs to be eating and help you tailor a diet to meet these needs. I am worried that even though your dog likes what you are feeding (bread & butter) it is not nutritionally complete and is greatly lacking in essential vitamins and nutrients. This could potentially lead to many developmental and systemic issues. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choices for you and your sweet boy. Best wishes and good luck!
My 1 and 3 months old half lab half aspin suddenly loss his appetite this morning, what probably may cause of it? what can I do to bring back his appetite? I am so worried for my baby dog.
Hi Joan,
I understand your concern for your young dog and this recent loss of appetite. Without examining him, myself, there are just too many possibilities to consider. I highly recommend you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. I hope you can get some answers quickly and Aspin will start to feel better.
My 12year old Maltese terrier has stopped eating for 4 days and vomits water after a drink
Took him to the vet who did a blood test and his white cell count was extremely high plus his LFT s were pouting to the high side as well. He is very limp and just sleeps. List all muscle strength in his legs
He can still do a pee and drinks water but will not touch food I am worried but can’t get a proper diagnosis from my vet
Just want to know what my next step is please help if you can. Olga
Hi Olga,
I am sorry your little pup is having so many issues. I understand you are concerned and need to find some answers. Unfortunately, without examining your dog myself, I can’t make specific recommendations. Did your vet prescribe any medications? Is there a plan for a recheck? If you feel like things are not resolving, your dog needs to be examined again and probably pursue further diagnostics. It is always ok to seek a second opinion as well. Sometimes, dog’s with more complicated cases need the expert opinion of a specialist. I hope you can find the help your sweet boy needs to restore his quality of life. Praying for a positive outcome.
Hi,
My 6 year old Morkie has kidney disease and takes enalipril once a day. She all of a sudden developed redness all over her underbody and inside ears with a few welts on her belly. Her underbody was hot to touch. She was scratching, pacing, restless so her vet gave her a steroid shot and the welts went away but she was still red and scratching. The next day he gave her a injection of Cyptopoint and she was lethargic but still eating, drinking water and urinating/pooping regular. The day after the Cyptopoint injection she threw up her food from two meals and has continued to throw up clear bile and white foam. Now she won’t eat anything even from my hand, has diarrhea and her stomach is making gurgling noises. She can’t take her regular enalapri which treats her kidney disease because she won’t eat and she has dry heaves and diarrhea. It’s Sunday and my vet is closed. Do you have any suggestions until I can get her to the vet Monday morning?
Dear Amy,
You are right to be concerned about your little pup. These symptoms definitely sound like they could be an emergency situation and should be addressed as quickly as possible. Were you able to get her to the vet yesterday? I am hoping that your vet was able to examine your dog and find a treatment to help resolve these issues. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best.
My senior chihuahua had a gradually decreasing appetite. Bloodwork revealed a 1.4 CRE level; early stage 2 kidney disease. Like others have said, he would NOT eat the kidney diet food. The vet gave us 3 doses of Entyce and the results have been DRAMATIC. I wish he could take this every day forever!! I am also cooking some food for him, reducing his protein, and low phosphorus foods. At this point, I was told to put him back on his senior food, use Entyce, and get him eating again. We are early into the process, but the Entyce has been a lifesaver for my senior boy.
Hi Chandra,
That is such good news! I am glad the Entyce worked for your little guy and has been such a game changer. I know how daunting it can be facing a new diagnosis of kidney disease, but I am hopeful that your boy will respond well to treatment. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers as it may help someone else in a similar situation. Praying for many more happy years ahead with your little pup. Bless you both!
My 10 year old chihuahua started eating a new dog food and now has experienced severe acid reflux. Took her to the vet and was prescribed Cerenia. It was too much for her and made her very lethargic. Before the med administration from the vet, she would try to eat, now she won’t even try things. We’ve been feeding her probiotics with liver in a liquid form. Hopefully this works, but would like any suggestions as to how to get her appetite up. Thanks and God bless.
Hi Jocelyn,
I am sorry your little pup is having so many GI issues and is struggling with loss of appetite. Since I haven’t examined her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. Have you talked to your vet about your concerns and told them about this new lethargy and anorexia? Cerenia does not typically cause side effects like you are describing and has me concerned that something else may be happening that has not been diagnosed yet. It might be a good idea to contact a veterinary internal medicine specialist and schedule a consult for your senior girl. I hope you can find the answers you need to restore her quality of life. Praying for a speedy and full recovery.
My 11yo dog had ear ablation in August 2021 resulting in severe vestibular symptoms. Luckily the worst of it resolved after about 2 weeks and she was able to walk again and stand to eat.
( I had been hand feeding her) Then in Jan she began to drink copious amounts of water and urinate large volumes much more frequently. Off to the vet. Diagnosed with kidney disease with elevated creatinine and BUN but we don’t know why. She hated the kidney diets. Her appetite was almost gone. Back to hand feeding. We tried Cerenia and Entyce but both are VERY expensive and they did not really help. Her labs got much worse ( cr 12.6 at its worst) …our vet offered little hope. Added subq fluids daily. More hand feeding with anything she would eat. We tried mirtazapine, meclizine and CBD oil and gradually her appetite picked up as did her energy level. We are continuing them daily but have decreased fluid admin. Still won’t eat kidney diets so we cook for her, limit her protein and have added a phosphorus binder. She does eat about one can of dog food daily. I don’t know how long this will work but at least she seems happy and we get to have her a bit longer.
Hi Sherry,
I am glad you were able to find a combination of treatments that are working well for your senior girl. She is very lucky to have you advocating for her quality of life and cooking meals for her. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I hope your sweet girl can continue to feel good and find joy in every day. Wishing you both the best.
Entyce really works for our dog. Mixed with a teaspoon of cottage cheese or yogurt, it is readily taken and begins to work in about an hour.
Hi Andy,
Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. Cottage cheese and yogurt are great ideas!