My Dog is Losing Weight, What Can I Do?
Observing sudden and/or rapid weight loss in your dog can be upsetting and scary.
A dog that is eating less than normal, exhibiting a loss of interest in food, or not wanting to eat at all, is a clear indication that they are experiencing some sort of distress, and something is wrong.
The Most Common Causes of Weight Loss in Dogs
Illness
An illness is considered a period of sickness that is typically resolved with proper treatment.
Common illnesses in dogs include heartworm, canine influenza (kennel cough), certain viral and bacterial infections, as well any form of gastrointestinal problem that results in vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Disease
Unlike an “illness”, which is defined as a period of “sickness”, a “disease” is considered a condition that has a definable cause, is not curable, and needs to be managed.
Common diseases in dogs include cancer, diabetes, kidney, liver, and heart disease.
It also includes non-treatable types of infectious diseases, like parvo, rabies, and distemper.
Acute Pain
Whether due to illness, disease, or injury, a dog that is experiencing pain, may lose interest in food, and even stop eating altogether.
Parasites
Intestinal parasites like tape worms rob the body of necessary nutrients.
Stress
This includes any stimuli that may cause a dog to experience stress, including ANY changes in their daily routine.
Age
Just like us, as dogs age their body has a natural slowing of metabolism, resulting in a decrease in appetite.
Signs Your Dog is Not Receiving Enough Calories
When a dog is not taking in the appropriate number of daily calories, they will begin to lose weight, but that is only one sign of the problem. Inadequate nutrition effects all parts of the body.
Physical Changes
Weight Loss: This is the #1 indicator of a deficiency in calories and nutrition.
Muscle Loss: (Mobility Issues): Along with weight loss, your dog may also lose muscle mass, which can quickly lead to problems with mobility.
Itchy Skin: Excessive itching can develop due to dry skin, a very common condition in dogs often misdiagnosed as allergies.
Dull Coat: Inadequate nutrition will almost always be evident in a dog’s coat, making it dull, and rough to the touch.
Behavioral issues
In addition to physical symptoms, dogs that are suffering from a lack of nutrition due to weight loss, may also exhibit behavioral symptoms.
In some cases, people may recognize changes in behavior before they even realize their dog has lost weight. This can easily happen with dogs that have longer hair, making weight loss less noticeable.
Behavioral symptoms can manifest in ways that may include your dog losing interest in activities they typically enjoy, they may be lethargic, and they may even suffer cognitive deficiencies due to poor nutrition.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Losing Weight?
When a dog is rapidly losing weight, acting quickly to diagnose the underlying cause is extremely important.
But sometimes it can take time to get a vet appointment, especially now, as vets are dealing with unprecedented staffing issues, and closing their doors at alarming rates.
So, unless you have an acute situation, or an emergency, you may be forced to wait.
But what if your dog continues to lose weight, further compromising their health?
Don’t waste time, boost their caloric intake as quickly as possible!
Ready Cal High Calorie Powder Supplement
While already having an incredibly successful high calorie gel, we set our sights on creating an even more palatable form of the high-cal product, this time in a powder form!
What's Unique About Ready Cal Powder for Dogs?
“Everything! There is nothing on the market like this product, and we are confident it will save many, many lives, which is the entire reason we developed it.” -Founder and President, Kyla Sternlieb
Ready Cal High Calorie Powder for Dogs is a one-of-a-kind supplement developed to quickly provide calories and nutritional support when a dog is losing weight.
Malnutrition due to weight loss weakens the immune system, compromising your dog’s overall health. This is why it’s essential, and at times even critical, to quickly provide your dog with calories to prevent further weight loss and promote weight gain.
- Made with a savory rotisserie chicken flavor that entices dogs to eat, while stimulating appetite, and boosting energy.
- This highly palatable powder formula is so easy to use, just sprinkle over your dog’s food, or mix with warm water to create a delicious gravy. (Seriously, it’s as good as Grandma’s!)
- Contains 9 vitamins and 6 minerals to aid in restoring overall health.
- Contains 39 calories per scoop.
Under the Weather strives to create easy to use, vet-formulated products that address important pet health issues, using all-natural ingredients, free of artificial flavors and dyes.
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If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.
