Your dog suddenly stops eating. As an owner, you should be very careful. In order to solve the problem of dog anorexia, the first thing we need to solve is why the dog is anorexic. Only by knowing the condition can we eradicate it!

Regulation of food absorption

​1. The thalamic center of hunger and boredom.

The hunger or feeding center is in the lateral thalamus

2. Other mechanisms for controlling feed intake

① Nutritional adjustment

When nutrient storage is insufficient, dogs are prompted to eat

Excessive nutrient storage leads to a feeling of fullness

② The role of glucose and amino acids

When glucose concentration is high, food intake is inhibited

High amino acid concentration inhibits feed intake

③ Negative feedback effect of fat metabolism

④ Regulation of digestive organs

⑤Gastrointestinal dilation

Diseases of the liver, stomach, small intestine and abdominal cavity are often accompanied by anorexia

⑥ Factors related to feed intake

Chewing, salivation, swallowing and tasting

​Causes of anorexia

​1. Primary

Factors such as fear, anxiety and depression may cause anorexia

Pain in any part of the body may cause anorexia

2. Secondary

① Pain

② Digestive disorders

③ Inflammation of abdominal visceral organs, pelvic organs or visceral peritoneum

④ Unlike vomiting, inflammation of the liver, pancreas, small intestine and stomach is the most common cause of anorexia

⑤ Pyometra or rapid uterine expansion in late pregnancy

⑥ Toxic substances in the uterus

⑦ Endogenous or exogenous toxic substances are common causes of anorexia and nausea

⑧ Organ failure (uremia due to renal failure, hyperammonemia due to liver failure, ketosis due to insulin deficiency, etc.)

⑨ Endocrine disorders (glucocorticoid deficiency caused by adrenal insufficiency)

Hyperkalemia and hyperammonemia will aggravate anorexia caused by glucocorticoid deficiency

⑩ Tumor diseases

⑪Heart failure

⑫ Long-term malnutrition in animals suffering from ketosis

⑬ Motion sickness

⑭Inner ear diseases

3. Weather changes

Changes in weather can cause anorexia in dogs. In a hot and humid climate, owners often see that their dogs only order and taste the food they usually like.

​4. Feeling depressed

Dogs don’t like to eat when they are low-tempered and depressed, and may even be the source of hunger strikes. It can be said that a dog’s mood typically determines its appetite!

​5. Healthy growth

Before a dog reaches adulthood, in order to ensure that it gets sufficient nutrition for growth, it almost opens its mouth when food comes, and will not refuse anything that can be stuffed into its stomach. When dogs reach adulthood, their skeletal and muscle growth is basically completed, and of course the amount they eat will be reduced.

6. Little exercise

After the dog becomes an adult, if the owner continues to provide exercise as a puppy, the dog will naturally be very dissatisfied. Without enough exercise, dogs naturally do not need the amount of food. They can get the energy to sustain life by eating a few mouthfuls.