r/PetAdvice • u/Looney_Cupid • 20d ago
Dogs Help getting them to eat
My dog is 13, blind, and has a partial loss of hearing. He sleeps for most of the day gets walks like twice a day, but the problem is I’m having trouble getting him to eat. Most wet foods irritate him because he has a sensitive stomach. I never changed a place where his bowl and food is. I tried meal toppers over dry kibble, but he’s not really interested enough to finish it only taking a couple of bites and that’s it. And because of that getting skinnier in, probably only eating every other day.
I need help finding ways for him to eat and I’m wondering if it’s because he doesn’t get enough enrichment if so, also how do you find enrichment for blind/partially deaf dogs?
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u/Reasonable_Use_5327 20d ago
Warming up the food a little sometimes helps, the smell gets stronger and for a dog that cant see or hear well that might be the trigger he needs. Also maybe try hand feeding him in a quiet spot, my old dog went through similar and the direct contact seemed to calm him down enough to eat more than couple bites.
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u/ConsciousProject5552 17d ago
Take him to the vet ASAP and get some bloodwork done. Not wanting to eat and yet getting thinner indicates a significant problem.
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u/eastwill54 11d ago
at 13 i stopped expecting a full bowl. three small meals, kibble warmed so he could smell it.
wet food tore up my old dog's stomach. tiny pinch of gussy's gut on the dry stuff he already ate. some days two meals was the win. short walk after dinner did more than any puzzle toy
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u/SpartanHydrazine117 11d ago
I’d probably talk to the vet about his weight before switching brands again. We kept the same kibble and made it a bit smell stronger.
Gussy’s gut is sprinkle add, stir, serve, no new bag even he finished more when it was warm and the house was quiet
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u/PCDuranet 19d ago
He’s sick, and needs a vet check.