Q. My 13-year-old dog needs to take medicine for his arthritis and it should be taken with food, but he isn’t eating very much. Is there something else he can eat that I can make at home?
A. Although older dogs often have a variety of ailments, including arthritis, lumps and bumps, dental issues, or signs of senility, loss of appetite is considered a sign of serious underlying disease, if it continues.
In general, most dogs maintain a healthy appetite despite other geriatric problems. The next step is to visit your veterinarian for a physical exam and blood tests. If your dog’s teeth are healthy, there might be something else going on to explain his loss of appetite.
Some dog owners are reluctant to have diagnostic tests done because they fear bad news. Rest assured that in most cases, there’s a treatment plan that will help your dog feel better and get his appetite back.
Please follow up with your veterinarian to help your dog get his appetite back.