My pet had surgery and will not eat. What can be done?
• Dogs
- Most pets will not eat their regular dog food after surgery, especially if it is kibble.
- Offer a cooked diet having a 1:1 ratio of a protein source and carbohydrate source. The protein source can be any meat (example: chicken breast, turkey breast, lean hamburger) that is low fat and should be cooked and any residual fat skimmed off. The carbohydrate can be pasta, potato or white rice.
- Try canned dog food; to enhance the flavor mix it with chicken or beef broth (no onion in broth)
- Try Gerber strained meats for babies such as the chicken, beef, turkey, or veal
- Try Hill's A/D diet available at most veterinary hospitals
- Hand feeding; place a small amount of food in the mouth so that they get the flavor
- Warm the food slightly in a microwave as the food will be more aromatic; remember to stir the food before feeding and test the temperature on the bottom side of your wrist; it should only be luke warm.
- Remember that most pets will not eat the first day or two after they get home from surgery
- Offer smelly foods that contain fish such as tuna or smelly cat foods
- Try Gerber strained meats for babies such as the chicken, beef, turkey or veal
- Hand feeding; place a small amount of food in the mouth so that they get the flavor
- Warm the food slightly in a microwave as the food will be more aromatic; remember to stir the food before feeding and test the temperature with your finger; it should be only luke-warm.
- Some cats will only eat dry food, try kibble if your cat normally has been fed that food
- Petting and stroking your cat frequently will help to stimulate appetite
- Remember that most pets will not eat the first day or two after they get home from surgery
- Appetite stimulants such as cyproheptadine may be helpful
- If your cat refuses to eat anything for 5 days she/he should be seen immediately. An esophagostomy tube may need to be placed to provide nutrition so that a serious liver problem (hepatic lipidosis) does not develop