Why is my healthy-looking dog losing weight? If your dog loses weight rapidly particularly more than 10 per cent, there may be an underlying condition. It is important to look at various dog weight loss cases and assess where he belongs.
Simple steps to evaluate if your dog is below his normal weight:
- Stroke your dog’s ribs. Ribs are easily touched with no fat cover.
- Look at your dog from above and the sides. Extreme waistline is visible with raised bones.
- Observe your dog’s muscle mass if they are obviously diminishing.
Dog Losing Weight but Eating and Drinking Normally
There are a number of reasons why a well-fed dog is losing weight. The most probable reasons are:
Parasitic infestation Dog worm infections are inevitable when rearing a dog. As dog worms are internal inhibitors, they compete for nutrients ingested by your pooch. As such, usual cases end up with the dog not getting the right amount of nutrients, hence the weight loss. They tend to eat and drink more than usual and typically have a swollen belly.
What to do
The easiest and best solution is having a careful clean-up in all potty areas. Egg worms develop in your dog’s stool. Further, deworming your dog helps a lot.
Diabetes mellitus Despite the normal food intake and excessive drinking of water, your dog succumbs to weight loss. With dogs that have type 2 diabetes, they tend to drink water more often, yet weight loss persists.
What to do
Be firm in following a nutritional meal schedule with the same amount and at the same time every day. It is best to monitor his diet to achieve a steady glucose level. Consider taking insulin injections that are to be given by the veterinarian.
Cushing’s disease or hyperadrenocorticism This is an endocrine disorder wherein there is an overproduction of certain hormones in the adrenal glands. Cushing’s disease may be caused by a benign or a malignant tumour in the pituitary gland and adrenal gland. Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications can also cause hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.
What to do
Visit the veterinarian for specific treatment options.
Hyperthyroidism It is one of the neuroendocrine diseases more prone to older dogs. This disease is caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones resulting in pets having an increased metabolic rate.
What to do
For older canine patients, regular monitoring of blood is recommended to detect an early sign.
Dog Losing Weight and Hair
Cushing’s disease In addition to the details above, this disease could cause weak coat quality.
What to do
Treatment depends largely on which type of disease. It is wise to bring your pooch to the veterinarian for medical assessment.
Low-quality diet A common cause of health problems is the lack of nutrients. It leads to an unhealthy dog as well as poor quality of coat.
What to do
90%–95% of dog’s hair is made up of protein and only 30% of ingested protein goes into the hair and skin. Following a proper dietary protein would help.
Hypothyroidism Contrary to hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism causes dogs to be lethargic and not have enough energy for activities. Signs include thinning hair with extreme shedding.
What to do
Once your dog is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the veterinarian will provide treatment options for him. The most common way is oral medication to support the lack of thyroid hormone.
Dog Losing Weight and Not Eating
Dental problems (periodontal disease) It is an infection that affects the areas surrounding your dog’s teeth. Your pooch may perceive eating as an agonising thing to do, thus contributing to weight loss.
What to do
Treatment is initiated after an exam, and X-rays are evaluated by the veterinarian.
Liver disease There are dog health problems that could lead to liver disease. Symptoms include decreased appetite, vomiting, weight loss, increased drinking and urination, and others.
What to do
The veterinarian would conduct diagnostic tests to evaluate specific malfunctions.
Older Dogs Losing Weight
Dogs are considered ‘seniors‘ when they reach the age of seven years old. However, for larger breeds, dogs at five to six years old are considered seniors because they have a shorter lifespan than smaller breeds. Senior dogs are usually prone to obesity; however, some senior dogs succumb to weight loss. Particular age-related health problems could cause weight loss in older dogs. Some older dogs also lose weight and muscle mass due to being picky because of a weakened sense of smell.
What to do
Weight loss in older dogs is mostly caused by weakened senses. The most important thing is that you are always there aiding your senior dog’s special needs.
Helpful tips to increase a senior dog’s appetite:
- Give soft foods rather than kibbles, and make sure your canine gets enough nutrition.
- Serve warm food.
- Stay with them when they eat. This will encourage your dog to eat more.
- Provide them a high-calorie diet.
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