What should you do if a Chow Chow refuses to eat?
Nowadays, many families treat their dogs like precious children. The Chow Chow's adorable appearance makes it especially easy to spoil, which is exactly why owners can become very worried when it refuses food.
When a Chow Chow stops eating, the first step is to determine whether the dog is sick. If it has contracted a disease such as parvovirus, it may show symptoms like loss of appetite, lack of energy, vomiting, and weakness, and in that case treatment should begin as soon as possible. Hot weather can also reduce a dog's appetite. Apart from illness, another common cause is pickiness. If a Chow Chow is regularly fed snacks and especially tasty foods, it may gradually become selective and stop wanting regular meals. Some people recommend temporarily withholding food for a day so that when the dog becomes truly hungry it will accept what is offered.
Feeding dog food is usually a good choice. If the Chow Chow refuses dry food, owners sometimes soften it with yogurt, since many dogs are attracted to milky flavors. Another trick is to mix several kinds of dog food together so the dog does not become bored with only one taste. Some people also use a mild sense of competition by letting another pet appear to receive the food first. Because dogs can be possessive and jealous, this may motivate the Chow Chow to rush over and eat. Still, it is important not to let the dog develop a habit of picky eating. From a young age, it should learn to eat on schedule. Feeding only until it is about eighty percent full may also help it eat better at the next meal.
What if a Chow Chow refuses all food?
Chow Chows do not usually stop eating without a reason. If it happens, there is a fair chance the dog may be ill. There are many possible reasons for appetite loss, so the owner should examine the dog carefully.
If the dog is lacking certain trace elements, anorexia may appear. Zinc deficiency is a classic example: one of its most typical signs is noticeably reduced appetite. Zinc plays an important role in regulating taste, and when the body is deficient, taste sensitivity decreases and the metabolism of the oral mucosa is affected, which significantly weakens appetite. In such cases, supplementing appropriate trace elements and improving digestive function may help restore appetite.
When the dog refuses food, try softening the kibble with yogurt. The lactic acid bacteria in yogurt may help improve appetite. You can also prepare rice mixed with some meat broth, since Chow Chows are often more interested in meat-based flavors than plain dog food.
Feeding should always be done on a fixed schedule, and owners should avoid allowing bad picky-eating habits to form. If the dog is refusing to eat purely because of pickiness, some owners let it go without food for a day while still providing water. In many cases, the dog will return to normal eating the next day. But if the appetite loss is caused by disease, the dog should be taken to the hospital for examination and treatment.