Why Your Pet’s Eating and Drinking Habits May Change
Monitoring your pet’s food and water intake is important, because changes in their eating and drinking habits can indicate a serious health issue. Read our Harbor Pines Veterinary Center team’s educational blog to learn what conditions can alter your furry pal’s appetite and thirst.
Why is my pet not eating?
If your four-legged friend turns their nose up at their food bowl, their decreased appetite could be the result of numerous issues, including:
- Diet change — Many pets are finicky about what they deem a favorable meal, and switching their food can lead to a hunger strike. If you need to change your furry pal’s food, do so gradually over five to seven days to help them adjust to their new diet.
- Dietary indiscretion — Some pets are notorious food scavengers, and dumpster diving or counter surfing can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) upset and decreased appetite.
- Illness — A decreased appetite is a common sign of many diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), certain cancers, heart disease, and tick-borne illnesses.
- Pain — Pain caused by issues such as dental disease, arthritis, and glaucoma can negatively impact your pet’s appetite.
- Stress — Your stressed pet may avoid their food bowl. Examples of stress include being bullied by another pet, a new pet being introduced to the home, construction in or around your house, and lack of proper mental enrichment.
If your pet loses interest in their food, contact our Harbor Pines Veterinary Center team, so we can diagnose the problem as soon as possible. This is especially important for cats, who are prone to a life-threatening condition called hepatic lipidosis if they go too long without adequate nutrition.
Why is my pet not drinking?
Sufficient hydration is critical to your pet’s health and wellbeing, but nausea, illness, pain, and stress can lead to decreased water intake. Tips to encourage your pet to drink more water include:
- Offering multiple options — Provide multiple water bowls throughout your home, so your pet can always easily access a drink.
- Cleaning frequently — Clean your pet’s water bowls and refresh the water daily.
- Preventing smelly water — Plastic containers can retain unpleasant odors, so use ceramic or stainless steel bowls to prevent smelly water.
- Packing water — On outings, pack bottled water and a portable water bowl, so your pet can drink whenever they get thirsty.
- Preventing discomfort — If your pet is arthritic, ensure they can easily access their water bowl and that they can drink comfortably by raising the bowl.
- Avoiding whisker stress — Cats may avoid their water bowl if drinking irritates their whiskers. Ensure your cat’s bowl is wide and shallow to help prevent whisker stress.
- Providing a fountain — Some pets are attracted to running water and may drink more if they can access a water fountain.
Why is my pet always hungry?
Many pets beg for treats, but if your furry pal’s appetite seems insatiable, potential causes include:
- Poor diet — A poor quality diet that provides inadequate nourishment can result in increased hunger, because your pet’s nutritional needs aren’t met.
- Intestinal parasites — Intestinal parasites can leach nutrients from your pet, causing them to feel hungry even when eating a proper diet.
- Diabetes — Diabetic pets can’t use glucose for energy, so they feel constantly hungry. Other signs include lethargy, weight loss, and increased thirst and urination.
- Cushing’s disease — Cushing’s disease causes increased cortisol production, which results in an increased appetite. Other signs include lethargy, a pot-bellied appearance, hair loss, skin infections, increased thirst and urination, and weight gain.
- Hyperthyroidism — Hyperthyroidism is most common in middle aged and senior cats and causes an increased metabolism, which leads to an increased appetite. Other signs include weight loss, unkempt appearance, increased thirst and urination, and hyperactivity.
- Medication — Certain medications, such as prednisone, can increase your pet’s appetite.
Why is my pet always thirsty?
As mentioned above, conditions such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and hyperthyroidism can lead to increased thirst and urination. In addition, pets with CKD and pyometra may increase their water intake. If your pet’s water bowl is constantly empty, they should be evaluated by our team to rule out a serious medical condition.
How can I prevent changes in my pet’s eating and drinking habits?
You cannot prevent every issue that changes your pet’s eating and drinking habits, but tips that may help include:
- Knowing your pet’s normal — Monitor your pet’s eating and drinking habits, so you know their normal. This will help you recognize changes as early as possible.
- Feeding an appropriate diet — Feed your pet a nutritious diet to ensure their dietary needs are met. Ask our team if you have questions about your pet’s nutritional requirements.
- Scheduling regular wellness visits — The best way to prevent changes in your pet’s eating and drinking habits is to schedule regular wellness visits, so our team can detect issues in the early stages before they cause your pet a problem.
If you notice a change in your pet’s eating or drinking habits, or if you would like to schedule a wellness visit, contact our Harbor Pines Veterinary Center team today.