The Best Way to Feed a Dog Dying from Cancer
- 1). Determine the dog's interest level in food. Provide the dog with a tempting meal, either canned food or home-prepared fare such as slightly warm chicken and rice, and gauge his reaction to the food. If he ducks his head, swallows, begins to drool, or hides his head, he isn't interested in eating and the meal should be removed immediately. Do not pester him or overly encourage him to eat, as this might be counterproductive. If the dog does show some interest, sit quietly with him and stroke him gently. Dogs tend to prefer to eat with their pack mates and your presence may encourage him to eat.
- 2). Warm the food in the microwave. No matter what you are feeding your dog, warming it up makes it more aromatic, which in turn stimulates the dog's appetite. Of course, this works best with canned food. Make sure that the food is well mixed after heating to avoid hot spots that may scald the dog's mouth. This technique may be counterproductive in animals that have begun to associate food with feeling unwell. In these instances, chilling the food to reduce the aroma of the meal may help. Once again, mix the food thoroughly to make sure that no sections are frozen.
- 3). Divide the meals into smaller, more frequent offerings. This tactic increases the chances that you will offer food at a time that the dog will be most receptive. Also, smaller meals keep the dog from becoming overwhelmed. Be satisfied with a bite or two at several feedings rather than one large meal a day. Avoid feeding the dog after giving treatments, especially uncomfortable ones. This will keep him from associating eating with negative feelings.
- 4). Talk to your veterinarian about medications that may help. There are a variety of medications out there that can stimulate the dog's appetite as well as reduce nausea and pain. These medications may be the ticket to getting your dog eating again. You may also need to talk to your veterinarian about using a feeding tube, which is used for dogs that have been unable to overcome their eating inhibitions.
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