Buy the best nutritious food when your dog gets sick

Being a pet parent can both be rewarding and challenging. Your pets can be a source of joy and a constant companion, which is why taking care of them can be quite rewarding. However, when dogs get sick, it can be challenging to get them to eat so they have the proper nutrition to recover.

This article lists some ways to help you find the most nutritious food when your pet gets sick.

Visit your vet

When your pet gets sick, go to the vet. Your vet can diagnose what’s wrong with your dog and recommend the proper treatment and food they need to eat. For instance, your dog may be diagnosed with diabetes because of specific symptoms, such as wounds that take a long time to heal or excessive thirst.

In this case, you may need to transition into a diet for diabetic dogs to help your furry friend manage his underlying medical condition. You would also be advised to closely track your dog’s caloric intake in case he has diabetes.

Explore online sources

Another way to find the most nutritious food when your pet gets sick is to explore online sources. Keep in mind to be wary of unverified sources of information over the internet. As much as possible, confirm that the information came from reliable sources to ensure your pet’s safety.

You can save money for pet food by searching for coupons in magazines, newspapers, and pet store brochures, as well as online. Online couponing sites can provide excellent pet food deals, such as 30% off your first pet food order and affordable raw dog food selections. They also offer coupon stacking, such as free shipping, pet food item discounts, and reward points.  

Furthermore, buying the best nutritious dog food online can also help you gain more knowledge about your furry friend. Many veterinarians collaborate with prominent brands and share expert insights about dog diet, training, and the best care for sick dogs.  

Rest assured that some of the most renowned vets already have a solid online presence to cater to people who need immediate answers to their pet queries, including nutrition. They also provide helpful articles, tutorial videos, and podcast interviews to educate online users on managing sick pets at home.

You will most likely find forums and groups in social media channels dedicated to taking care of pets. This is where you can connect to other pet parents who will give you sound advice on what to feed your pet to ensure they get the best nutrition they need when they get sick. Besides other pet parents, you will likely find some vets who are members of these groups.

Seek the help of family and friends

Finally, you can also seek the help of your family and friends to find the best food for your pet when they get sick. They may know someone in their network who experienced the same problem. They can also connect you to someone who knows what to do. Sometimes, they may have also experienced the same problem with their pets.

Feel free to contact your family and friends whenever you encounter any trouble finding the best food suitable for your sick pet.

Don’t forget to create a list of your dog’s needs. It would be best to provide specific care instructions to your friend or family member willing to take good care of your pet while at work or on an important business trip. 

It’s worth noting that sick pets must be stress-free as much as possible. Therefore, ask your friend or family to stay at your house to take good care of your sick dog. If this isn’t possible, bring your dog’s favorite toy, cage, and bed to your friend’s house. In addition, you can include one of your clothes for your dog to smell your scent. In doing so, your pet will feel more comfortable and secure while you’re away.

How to get your sick pet to eat

When dogs get sick, it can be challenging to get them to eat. Ensure you give your dog the most nutritious food to help them recover.

Once you determine how to find the most nutritious food for your pet, the next challenge is to get your dog to eat it. Often, a sick pet doesn’t have the appetite to eat anything you prepare for them.

Fortunately, there are different methods to get your pet to eat, but the most appropriate one still depends on your pet.

Wait

One of the first things you can do to get your sick pet to eat the food you prepare for him is to wait. Give them some time because certain animals can go for a few days without eating anything, even dogs. However, you need to ensure they are adequately hydrated and have food available to consume when they begin to feel better. 

Change brands

Another thing you can do to get your sick pet to eat changes the food you serve him. For instance, if you deem that your pet is having difficulty eating dry food, you may want to switch or mix some wet food into their diet. This may stimulate your pet’s appetite as wet foods are generally easier to munch on than dry foods.

Offer a treat

If your pet refuses to eat because he is sick, offering a treat may encourage him to eat a few bites. Just try to give a small amount first to see whether your pet will eat or not. If they do eat, try mixing the treat with their usual food.

Use a syringe

If your pet refuses to eat even after switching from providing dry to wet food, you may be forced to use a syringe. While this can be a more drastic measure for feeding your pet, sometimes, there is no way to get your pet to eat other than by using a syringe. Remember that you should only resort to this method after exhausting different ways of getting your pet to eat.

Only use a syringe to force-feed your pet when he hasn’t eaten for a few days. When you use a syringe, try only to feed your pet liquids such as bone broth or watered-down, pureed wet food.

Talk to your vet before trying this method because force-feeding using a syringe may have various adverse health impacts when improperly done.

Work with your vet to find the most nutritious food

When your pet gets sick, one of the first things that you need to do is visit the vet because they are the ones who are in the best position to help you. While searching for information online, be sure to use reputable sources.

Your ultimate goal is to ensure you get the most nutritious food for your pet when they feel under the weather.

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