PET WILL NOT EAT AFTER SURGERY

What can be done ?

Dogs

• Most pets will not eat their regular dog food after surgery, especially if it is kibble.
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• 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 sprinkle a very small amount of garlic powder or chicken or beef broth. Try 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 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.

Cats

• Offer smelly foods that contain fish such as tuna or smelly cat foods.
• Try 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 7 days a stomach tube should be placed to provide nutrition so that a serious liver problem (hepatic lipidosis) does not develop.

Posted in: pet,veterinary