Appetite Stimulant for Dogs: How to Naturally Boost Your Dog's Cravings!

If you notice a disruption in your dog’s eating patterns, or you’ve seen noticeable weight loss, you might want to consider giving your pooch an appetite stimulant for dogs. As a dog owner, you know how important food is to your pup. After all, one of the absolute favorite activities of most dogs is eating a good meal, so it’s easy to become concerned or overwhelmed if you’ve noticed decreased appetite in your dog. But have no fear, we have some appetizing solutions for your dog’s troubles!

We put together this helpful guide to help you navigate this important topic. If you need a bit of a helping hand, read further, and you’ll feel confident soon enough on how to resolve your dog’s hunger issues!

Why Is My Dog Eating So Little?

There are various reasons why your dog might be eating less than usual. But not all of the reasons for this are severe, and with some help, you can help your dog quickly correct most forms of food aversion. Here are some of the most common reasons why your dog is eating so little.

Stress

A stressed-out dog is far less likely to have a healthy appetite. If a dog has had big changes to its daily routine, its appetite may be affected by the resulting stress. A caring pet parent should try to make their dog comfortable following these changes. By doing so, they’ll notice their dog regain its hunger in no time.

Diet

A change to your dog’s diet could be the cause if it refuses food or has decreased appetite. This could result from switching dog food brands or introducing dry dog food to a pup accustomed to eating wet food. In this case, try to give your dog some time to adjust, and it should eventually warm up to the new food. Adjusting to new food can take some time for your dog, so try not to worry, and be patient if it takes even a few weeks for your dog to fully crave food again.

Dehydration

When dehydrated, dogs will sometimes experience appetite loss. It’s essential to give your dog lots of fresh water every day, especially during the hot summer months.

Some common ways to identify dehydration in dogs include:

• Vomiting
• Sunken eyes
• Dry mouth
• Dry nose
• Panting

Medications

Just like humans, your furry friend can experience appetite changes following the introduction of a new medication. Visit your veterinarian to double-check if their medications are to blame for your dog’s lessened appetite.

Illness

In the worst case, if your dog seems to be in visceral pain, it could be a sign it’s suffering from a more serious condition like liver disease, kidney disease, or worms. However, this could also result from an upset stomach caused by a minor sickness, so try not to panic or jump to conclusions without proper advice from a vet.

What Are Some Treatment Options for Dogs with Low Appetites 

Dogs in need of some appetite stimulants have access to various forms of relief. Not all appetite stimulants need to consist of prescribed drugs, and most of the time, the best responses to a low appetite are simple remedies like the ones below.

Chicken 

Some chicken might be the perfect bribe for a sick dog with a low appetite. Hand-feeding small bits of fully cooked chicken or mixing some with your dog’s food can be great ways to encourage it to eat more.

Most dogs require a low-fat diet, so be sure to avoid feeding overly fatty chicken pieces. It’s also important for owners to avoid giving their dog any bone, skin, or seasoned pieces of meat to avoid potential choking hazards, digestive issues, or illness.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is full of fiber to help a dog digest food easier and calms an upset belly. Canned, pureed pumpkin is recommended for its soft, ready-to-eat texture and affordable price. Because of this, pumpkin is a common option for less serious cases of stomach problems which can cause reduced appetite. Relieving this discomfort can help your dog regain it.

Warm Kibble

Warming your dog’s food may also help stimulate their appetite. Not only will the warmth cause the kibble to give off an appealing scent, but when your dog is done eating, the warm water will help ease inflammation and reduce overall discomfort in your dog’s belly, resulting in an improved appetite.

Are There Natural Ways to Stimulate Your Dog’s Appetite?

There are various natural treatment options available for a dog with a decreased appetite. However, in many cases, the best choice for helping a dog eat can come from natural appetite stimulants and lifestyle changes. Here are some of the most popular ones.

Herbal Remedies

A potentially effective natural option for encouraging your dog’s appetite could come in the form of an herbal remedy. Herbs are efficient multitaskers in the health and wellness world, imparting various beneficial effects on those who consume them. Herbs can easily be mixed into dog food, making them adaptable and easy to introduce.

Some effective herbal remedies for an upset stomach or low appetite include:

• chamomile
• ginger
• celery seed
• peppermint

Known to reduce swelling, these herbs can help lower pain sensations and other physical factors contributing to your dog’s diminished appetite.

Dandelion

In nature, sometimes even the most inconspicuous options are the most powerful. Dandelions are a common lawn plant (so common some may call it a weed) with a secret status as a mega-healthy superfood!

This plant will help ease digestion, helping dogs with a diminished appetite to overcome stomach discomforts. Typically, dandelion will come in the form of a capsule, making it easy to administer to a dog. It is recommended to speak to a vet to determine your dog’s proper dosage.

Exercise

Keeping a proper exercise schedule can help your dog keep its metabolism in check. This will allow your dog to feel naturally hungry, making the entire process that much easier. For optimum benefits, try keeping your dog on an exercise routine for an extended period if possible. The longer your dog is committed to a workout program, the more it will experience benefits relating to its diet.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may benefit dogs suffering from ailments that result in decreased appetite. While the jury is still out on the efficacy of acupuncture, it can still be a good natural option for helping your dog get some relief and a natural alternative to veterinary medicine. Consult a veterinarian to get in contact with a certified and pet-friendly acupuncturist before you decide to use acupuncture as an option for your dog’s appetite troubles.

Can I Give My Dog CBD as an Appetite Stimulant?

Yes! CBD may be one of the best holistic appetite stimulants for dogs due to its well-tolerated effects and widespread availability. CBD is beneficial for dogs and humans alike, so you can rest easy knowing your dog is consuming a good product.

Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. CBD is extracted from hemp flower using a highly technical process called CO2 extraction, resulting in a clean and pure product. The resulting extract is used to make various products containing CBD.

There are many therapeutic benefits associated with CBD, which could potentially be useful for stimulating your dog’s appetite. CBD interacts with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is an internal network of cellular receptors found in mammals that is partly responsible for regulating various homeostatic processes.

Some of the processes CBD can help regulate include:

• Sleep
• Mood
• Libido
• Appetite
• Immune response
• Memory

What Are the Benefits of CBD for Dogs?

There is no better holistic option than CBD when it comes to helping to stimulate your dog’s appetite. But CBD’s benefits aren’t just limited to solving your dog’s hunger issues.

The many ways CBD may benefit your dog include:

• Calming aching stomachs
• Soothing muscle discomfort
• Promoting natural sleep schedule
• Stabilizing mood
• Helping calm nervous behavior
• Calms aggressive behavior
• Promotes healthy skin & coat

Does CBD Have Any Side Effects on Dogs?

It is rare for dogs to experience any negative side effects following CBD consumption. If side effects are felt, they will typically be short-lived and mild.

Below are some potential side effects of CBD for dogs:

• Dry eyes
• Lowered heart rate
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Upset stomach

If these effects persist, we recommend speaking to a licensed medical professional. Owners need to follow dosing guidelines when giving their dogs CBD to help lessen the chances of any of these side effects occurring.

Which CBD Products Are Best as a Dog Appetite Stimulant?

Several CBD pet products exist that can help stimulate your dog’s appetite. Here are some of the best CBD products available from Cheef Botanicals that are worth giving your dog!

CBD Oil Tincture for Dogs

Tincture is a highly effective way to get a dose of CBD quickly and easily. Cheef makes its CBD tincture for dogs by combining pure CBD extract with hemp seed oil, a highly nutritious and all-natural substance, to help increase your dog’s ability to absorb CBD properly. Highly versatile, you can incorporate tinctures into your dog’s food or place a few drops in your dog’s mouth.

CBD Dog treats

What dog doesn’t jump at any opportunity to be fed a treat? It’s easier than ever to get CBD in your dog’s system and help improve their appetite with some CBD dog treats. At Cheef, we make our treats using high-quality, all-natural ingredients specially formulated to provide wellness to your dog. Our dog treats are packed with other beneficial ingredients like pumpkin, turmeric, blueberry, and sweet potato to satisfy your dog’s hunger and have it asking for more!

CBD Soft Chews

Soft chews bring the power of CBD to dogs in an easy-to-chew treat. Our soft chews have the same high-quality ingredients found in the dog treats but are instead formulated to carry a distinctly soft texture. Dogs of any variety will enjoy these treats, but owners with older dogs enjoy this product because it is easy on sensitive teeth while still being a tasty snack!

CBD Shampoo

CBD shampoo is a great way to clean your dog, treat skin discomfort, and give them CBD! This shampoo penetrates deep to treat the ECS receptors under your dog’s skin, providing deep relief that only the cannabinoid can provide. After a refreshing bath, your dog will not only feel clean but a little bit hungry, too!

How Much CBD Should I Give My Dog?

How much CBD you can give your dog depends on its overall health, activity level, and reasons for taking CBD. But there is a rule of thumb you can use to approximate a good dose: administer 0.25 milligrams of CBD for every 1 pound of bodyweight. If you need to increase the dosage, do so slowly. To administer a large dose, double the dose to .5 milligrams per 1 pound of body weight, and your dog should be all set!

Start low and go slow with CBD. This is especially true for dogs who have no experience with CBD. Try to only provide gradual increases to the dose to avoid giving your dog too much. These doses are not absolute and serve only as a starting point, so practice caution when figuring out a proper dose of CBD.

Final Thoughts – Appetite Stimulant for Dogs

No one likes to see their dog uncomfortable or in pain, and a dog without appetite can be one of the sure signs your pup isn’t feeling too hot. Various medications can help improve your dog’s appetite. But several natural remedies exist, too. CBD is one of the best appetite stimulants for dogs.

CBD can be the perfect way to reinvigorate your pup, kickstart its appetite, and get it back to living its best life. All you need to experience these great benefits is the power of plants and your friends at Cheef Botanicals! So what are you waiting for? Head over to our shop and grab some CBD dog products to improve your dog’s wellbeing! Learn more about CBD and pets here.