One of the most common questions that dog owners have is Why Is My Vizsla Not Eating?
There are many reasons for this, depending on their age and overall health. For example, some dogs may have a medical issue that prevents them from eating, while others may be going through a stressful period in their life.
To find out why is your Vizsla not eating? It would help if you visited a Vet for health checkups to diagnose the cause and treat it. We hope this article has helped answer some of your queries about why your dog refuses to eat.
Why Is My Vizsla Not Eating?
Generally, skipping meals is not an unusual thing for most pets. But since Vizslas are enthusiastic eaters, it’s unique. Not to mention these dog breeds are more likely to be obese than slim.
There are several causes for the loss of appetite in your pet, but the most likely reasons are:
Vizsla Might NOt Be Eating Because Of Prenatal Stress
Prenatal stress in pregnant dogs can lead to puppies being born with low birth weight, and as a result, they might not have the appetite that their siblings do.
In addition, premature puppies might not respond to food stimulation when placing a bowl of food in front of them for 30 seconds because they cannot swallow at all.
Thus, this causes the puppy not to eat and being unable to maintain their weight.
Pregnancy Or Reproductive Disorder
One of the most common reasons, especially when pregnant, is that their body does not need as much food.
Vizslas can also stop eating due to a reproductive disorder such as pyometra or false pregnancy. The hormonal disturbance that arises during reproductive disease can make them not feel hungry.
Health Problems
Vizslas are prone to illnesses like Cushing’s Disease, Addison’s disease, diabetes, and hypoglycemia. They are also susceptible to heartworm or Lyme disease, Liver diseases such as cancer and fatty liver syndrome, Gastrointestinal problems like inflammatory, Kidney diseases, pancreatitis, and ear infections.
As a result, your Vizsla might be experiencing immense pain. So, they will have a lesser urge to eat.
Dental Issues
Since Vizslas are hunting dogs, they love to chew things around them. And due to their reckless hewing habit, fractured teeth, sore gums, and other dental problems are common.
So, if you notice your Vizsla has a different appetite, it could be a sign that the dog is experiencing pain from damaged teeth and sore mouth due to chewing on things around them.
Vizsla Might NOt Be Eating Due To Aging
As your Vizsla age, their metabolism slows down. Therefore, they will have less interest in eating, leading to less weight gain or even a loss.
Besides this, with age, your dog’s immune system weakens, and their body function slows down. As a result, Vizslas will have difficulty chewing, digesting, and absorbing nutrients. Consequently, they will feel full and satisfied without eating much food.
Moreover, with age, your pet’s teeth may wear out or get misaligned; this can make it difficult to eat when their mouth feels sore from a toothache or some other type of oral problem.
Change In Feeding Schedule
Generally, Vizsla prefers to eat its regular meal. So, when you make alternations in your dog’s diet and introduce new food in their meal, it will start to avoid that fresh food.
Vizsla is a dog that likes to eat everything and anything at any time, but still, it has its habit (time) of eating food. So if you change their schedule, then they will also avoid eating.
Side Effects Of Some Medications
The prescription medications may impact a Vizsla’s appetite, weight, and health. Usually, the side effects of the medication or even an interaction with other drugs that it takes change your dog’s food habit.
Usually, medications for thyroid diseases, antibiotics, treatments for heartworm, chemotherapy, and other medicines will cause bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting. Thus, your dog will lose interest in eating.
Vizsla Might NOt Be Eating Because It Is Sick Of Old Food
A Vizsla can get sick of the old food. Though it is unusual, still sometimes regular diet makes them bored.
Especially if you are giving your bland dog food to manage their health, your dog is more likely to get sick of the food soon. Thus, it will run away during mealtime, hide, or refuse to eat.
Stress
Emotional disturbance is probably the most common cause of Vizsla eating its food. It’s not uncommon for dogs to refuse food when they’re feeling stressed or scared. Several things could make your dog fearful:
- A new pet.
- Children- that are playing in the yard.
- Storms during when your Vizsla is alone.
- Anything else that might have escaped your dog feeling vulnerable.
Both dogs and humans refuse food under stressful situations about something, so it’s not surprising if Vizslas does the same thing. If this is happening to you and your pet, there are some things you can try to help him feel more relaxed.
Should I Worry If My Vizsla Isn’t Eating?
A Vizsla’s appetite fluctuates depending on their age and how active they are. Therefore, it is important not to overreact if your dog spends a day or two without eating much, as it does not necessarily mean they’re sick.
You should only become concerned if the lack of appetite lasts for more than two days if your Vizsla has a fever or is lethargic. In general, it’s not necessarily something to worry about unless the lack of appetite persists over time and other symptoms go along with it.
However, if you see the following symptoms that you must worry about your Vizsla:
- Lethargy or reduced activity
- Fever
- Weight loss is more than ten percent of their body weight in one week or less appetite for three days.
- Loss of appetite (for more than three days with a fever or nausea.)
- Vomiting after eating food or drinking water
Should I Force Feed My Vizsla If He Won’t Eat?
Quite often, a dog’s appetite will naturally come and go. However, when your Vizsla doesn’t eat for three days or more, you should be concerned. Some things could cause this to happen, including:
- The occurrence of an injury in which the animal can’t find it delicious to chew on food because he’s in pain.
- A dental infection makes chewing on food painful to the animal, preventing him from eating.
- The presence of a fever or other illness causes nausea and vomiting in this type of breed, making it difficult for them to have an appetite.
- A change in routine may cause your Vizsla not to have an appetite.
- The ingestion of a toxic substance may lead to vomiting or diarrhea, affecting the animal’s appetite.
Thus, it is wiser to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible if this continues past three days to receive any treatment that you could need than forcing your pal to eat.
What To Do If Vizsla Has No Appetite?
Since lack of adequate food declines your Vizsal’s immunity, your pet will be vulnerable to diseases. Thus, it would help if you did something to increase your dog’s appetite before it is too late.
Usually, the first and foremost thing to do is figure out the underlying cause of this issue. Besides this, other things you can do when your Vizla has lost his appetite are as follows:
- Offer your Vizsla favorite food items and snacks.
- Add variety to their diet by mixing wet and dry food
- Mixing in some fresh-cooked chicken, canned pumpkin, or pureed veggies can make for a special treat.
- Feed your Vizsla smaller portions more often to avoid overfeeding them – they don’t need as much energy when there is no appetite.
- Emphasize more on moist dog food filled with nutrition and small chunks of meat.
- Add fibers to your dog’s diet to help them deal with stomach problems or constipation.
- If you have recently changed anything in the feeding routine, try eliminating it from the diet for a few days.
- Provide plenty of fresh water to your Vizsla. What are some ways to do this?
- Try different food items and flavors until you find the right one, which will make him willing to eat again.
- Add an easily digestible protein source, such as a boiled egg or small pieces of cooked chicken breast, into his diet.
- Give a digestive supplement, such as small pieces of pumpkin or mashed banana.
- If your pet has lost appetite because of another illness, consult with a veterinarian to ensure no underlying medical condition.
What Should I Feed My Vizsla With No Appetite?
Some other foods might contribute to improving your Vizlas’s digestion and encourage him to eat. So, some of these foods are:
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Papaya
- Yogurt with live cultures (lactobacillus) or probiotics and prebiotic fibers like psyllium husk, oat fiber, or soybean hulls; help to improve the intestinal flora
- Aloe vera juice
- Probiotic supplements
- Pumpkin (for constipation)
What Shouldn’t You Feed Your Vizsla With No Appetite?
Vizslas and humans have different digestive systems and metabolism. Thus, foods beneficial to humans can obstruct digestion and be toxic to your dog.
Vizslas owners must know what foods are toxic or beneficial. So, some foods that are harmful to your Vizsla are:
- Onions, garlic, and leeks
- Chocolate
- Alcoholic beverages
- Grapes and raisins
- Caffeine
- Raw eggs
- Macadamia nuts, walnuts, and other tree nuts
Conclusion
Summing up, the most popular reason why your Vizsla has stopped eating seems to be that our dogs have a sense of taste and smell that we cannot even comprehend in comparison. So if they don’t like what’s on their plate, it doesn’t matter how much we beg them or try to coax them into taking another bite; there’s nothing for us to do but respect their wishes and find something else more appealing for them.
In addition, they may not feel well due to an underlying illness such as diabetes or heart disease, which can cause a lack of appetite. So, the best option is to consult with Vet when you notice your dog acting abnormally.
We have explored these possibilities and offered tips in this article, so you know what steps to take next time you find your Vizsla not interested in food.
