9 reasons why your dog has lost his appetite

Physiological changes

Estrus in dogs (estrus) is a natural physiological process.
Hormonal imbalances occur in the female's body. At the beginning of the cycle, a lot of estrogen is produced, which promotes conception. Then progesterone takes over, preparing for pregnancy. These hormones affect reproductive function, the activity of the brain and nervous system. Hormonal levels affect behavior. During the critical period, the female's attitude towards the opposite sex changes.

At the beginning of the cycle, the bitch behaves aggressively, growls and moves away from other dogs.

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In a week, the pet will begin to let suitors approach, but will not allow cages.

In a few days, estrus (sexual heat) will begin. Ovulation occurs. The egg is ready for fertilization. A male dog can calmly approach the object of desire. The female waits for mating and takes the appropriate position in front of the male. Spreads its hind legs, tail moves to the side. During this period, the dog breeder plans mating, which increases the likelihood of conception.

Some females are aggressive towards males throughout the emptying period. This does not mean that they cannot be bred and continue the pedigree. Contact a knitting instructor. The service will cost a certain fee. After the first mating and birth, the pet's sexual behavior will change.

The owner may notice that the animal urinates frequently before going into heat. This is how the pet marks the territory, giving a signal to the male dogs. Males use scent marks to find their beloved. The pet marks on the street and at home. This happens involuntarily. An animal cannot be scolded for such incidents.

During heat, the dog does not eat anything

During heat (estrus), the dog's behavior and taste preferences change. Often she, having an excellent appetite, may refuse to eat at this time. This should not cause any particular concern to the owner, but he should especially carefully monitor his pet to avoid problems with its health. During this period, the animal’s hormonal levels sharply increase, which also affects its appetite. Usually, with the end of estrus, all functions of the bitch’s body return to normal.

If the period of refusal to eat lasts for a long time and other atypical symptoms appear:

• Drinks a lot of water or refuses it;
• The animal is lethargic or, conversely, constantly runs around the house tirelessly;
• Overly affectionate or overly aggressive;
• The bitch has a hunched back;
• Trembling and breathing heavily;
• Gets tired quickly and wants to sleep all the time;
• The bitch has very abundant or too scanty discharge.

In this case, you need to sound the alarm and immediately show the dog to a veterinarian.

Behavioral manners

Appetite changes. The pet may refuse to eat or beg for additional portions. Feed the animal as usual. If the food is not touched, remove the portion until next time.

The dog develops a discharge that may leave a bloody trail. Some four-legged young ladies are clean and clean. Others stain the floor, furniture, and carpets. The wards wear panties.

The animal may suffer from nagging pain. The dog begins to whine, become restless and irritable. Dog owners have to take their pet to the veterinarian.

During the emptying period, females show disobedience, cunning and intelligence. A pet may refuse to relieve itself on the street until the leash is removed from it. As soon as this is done, she will immediately run off to look for a partner. During walks, the female does not obey commands, often stops, whines, calling the males. There were cases when pets chewed the leash, dug under the fence, and ran away as soon as they were released from the leash.

It is necessary to give up training, competitions, and trips over long distances. The bitch is capable of showing aggression towards people and other animals.

In addition to hormones, behavior is influenced by upbringing, breed, and environment.

During the critical period, the owner needs to be vigilant. A dog may run away during heat. Will return fertilized by different males. A puppy from such a mating will be born weak.

As soon as the signs of estrus pass, the animal will calm down and return to its previous lifestyle.

If pregnancy is not desired, it is better to spay or neuter the dog. You cannot constantly suppress the symptoms of estrus with hormonal drugs.

Dangerous cases

Most diseases of the reproductive system, especially tumors or oncological neoplasms, are practically asymptomatic at first. There are no strange discharges or convulsions, and the female can only tell about her poor health by radically changing her behavior.

The possible onset of the development of the disease and hormonal imbalance is indicated by a sharp change in behavior to the exact opposite of the usual. It is worth visiting a veterinary clinic and having an ultrasound of the genital organs done if during sexual heat:

• The appetite drops sharply , or the pet completely refuses to eat several times in a row, even when changing dishes.
• Hunger is increasing. A bitch who has not previously suffered from a passion for food begins to eat much larger portions and constantly demands more.
• Strong thirst appears. The female drinks constantly. This symptom is especially dangerous when coupled with a loss of appetite.
• Drinks little, reluctantly.
• He is constantly in a lethargic, depressed state , sleeps and does not respond to the owner, refuses any activity.
• She is too active , even aggressive, not only when walking and when meeting other representatives of her species, but also at home for an uncharacteristically long period of time.

If the dog is experiencing the empty state for the first time, then such symptoms may simply be its peculiarity. However, you still need to see a doctor just in case, since often after the first ovulation it is possible to identify and correct defects in the reproductive system.

If such behavior suddenly appears in an adult or even an old dog, but this has not been observed before, then this is an important signal that a serious illness is beginning; in this case, it is not worth delaying a trip to the clinic even until the end of estrus.

False heat and other surprises for a beginner

Young bitches have false empty spots.
It is so called because there are all external manifestations, except for the main thing - ovulation. This condition is not dangerous. Sometimes it is interrupted for several days and then resumes, but now with ovulation. There are hidden (dry, white) estrus. The difference is that follicles are formed in the normal manner and eggs are released. There are no external signs - a swollen genital loop, blood secretion. Dry heat is not a deviation; a female dog can still become pregnant and produce a healthy litter.

Prolonged discharge is a cause for concern. If they are observed for longer than 30 days, contact your veterinarian. This is all the more necessary to do if yellowish or greenish inclusions appear in the secretion, decreased appetite, or increased body temperature.

Often, new dog breeders, due to lack of knowledge, cannot distinguish estrus from diseases. The dog is ready to mate 1-2 times a year, and the rest of the time any discharge is an anomaly.

Estrus and its features

Estrus or estrus is the period when the dog is ready for fertilization, the time of physical maturity. This usually occurs once or twice a year and lasts for about 20 days. The duration of the cycle is approximately the same for all breeds. It may fluctuate slightly due to changes in the environment or in the animal's body. At this time, the animal may behave a little strangely, not listen to the owner, its behavioral and even taste preferences change. The pet often walks “small”. On the street he can run away in search of male dogs and often disobeys his owner.

At this time, owners are advised to walk their pet only on a leash to avoid accidents. Do not bathe in ponds, as at this time the dog is susceptible to infections; limit attendance at exhibitions or competitions.

During this same period, the animal may behave differently, not as usual. For example, there are often cases when a bitch does not eat or, conversely, her appetite increases. Such phenomena should be treated calmly, but with due attention, so as not to miss the onset of the disease.

Signs of heat

How does estrus manifest itself? You can determine when a dog is in heat by its behavior, and it changes significantly. The female becomes more active, becomes overly playful and may ignore commands. This is all the result of a hormonal surge. Among the main signs of estrus are:

• The dog begins to sit down to urinate more often (it marks its territory so that potential suitors are aware that it is ready to accept advances);
• Bloody discharge oozes from the noose;
• She often licks the area under her tail;
• The bitch begins to flirt with the males, they show active interest;
• Estrus is preceded by molting.

At first, dogs do not allow members of the opposite sex to approach; they may even show aggression when courtship is too intrusive; their body is not yet ready for mating.

After one and a half to 2 weeks, the structure of the dog’s discharge changes; it will look like yellowish mucus. During this period, the female feels a strong sexual desire, especially if she notices males nearby, her tail moves to the side, and her body takes the stance necessary for sexual intercourse. The loop increases significantly in size.

The bitch can remain in this excited state for 5 to 7 days. If the owner wants to breed a dog, then he must mark these days. The right time for mating animals is between the 9th and 17th days, less often on the 21st. Everything is individual and depends on the breed of the pet.

Is it possible to take a dog during heat to competitions and exhibitions?

First of all, have pity on the male part of the dog tribe. After all, all their knowledge and skills disappear instantly from their heads. And surrounding females sometimes react aggressively to ladies in this state. In general, chaos and angry abuse from the owners against you are guaranteed.

It is extremely inappropriate to take your pet to all public events during this period.

Step-by-step passage of heat

The entire animal cycle is divided into 4 stages:

1. Proestrus (or called proestrus). Duration 1-1.5 weeks. At this time, the process of blood circulation in the genital area increases significantly, the loop swells, and the first, initially scanty, bloody discharge appears. During this period, the dog is not yet ready for mating; ovulation has not yet occurred. But external signs are already evident - she becomes playful, may not obey the owner, and run away. When walking, he spends more time sniffing out the surroundings and constantly crouches down to leave marks. Males are already experiencing increased interest; when trying to copulate, the bitch growls and snarls.
2. Estrus (active sexual hunting). During this period of time, more precisely the first 2 days, the process of ovulation occurs. But the bitch can keep the gentlemen away for a few more days. A little later, when she sees a potential suitor, the female raises the back of her body, tightens the noose and moves her tail to the side to facilitate the penetration process. She freezes and patiently waits for action from the male dog. The discharge from the loop will vary; normally, the appropriate period for mating occurs when it is light pink or disappears completely. The vulva swells significantly.
3. Metaestrus (the final stage of estrus). The duration of this period is several days. The discharge stops, the noose returns to its previous size, and the bitch again does not allow gentlemen to approach her. If fertilization does not occur, then the female again becomes calm. The dog still experiences hormonal changes - the level of progesterone increases, which is not without reason called the pregnancy hormone. This happens regardless of whether the female becomes pregnant or not. This condition becomes the cause of such a phenomenon as false pregnancy, which mostly passes without outside help and consequences.
4. Anestrus (phase of sexual tranquility). The duration of this stage is approximately 100-150 days and allows the animal’s body to recover before the next heat.

The frequency of estrus varies among dogs due to several associated factors. For example, in domestic dogs it happens 2 times a year - in autumn and at the end of winter. Sometimes flow is limited to once a year.

Dogs that are kept outdoors, pets from the north, breed once a year in early spring to give birth to puppies in the warmer months.

When to contact a veterinarian

• Estrus occurs more often than 2 times a year. Or lasts more than a month. It is better to write down the start and end dates of “such days” in a special notebook. Analysis of these dates will help in the prevention of genital diseases.
• temperature increase. Read how to measure a dog's temperature here. These days, the pet’s immunity is weakened, and the likelihood of catching an infection increases.
• vomit. Vomiting often occurs immediately after eating. The veterinarian will conduct tests and help with hormonal adjustments.
• discharge of the “wrong” color (green, black, yellow) or smell (putrefactive). Such discharge indicates a genital tract infection.

We wish your pet good health. If you suspect a problem in your pet’s health, go to a veterinary clinic and get a consultation. Don't be afraid to appear funny in front of the doctor.

PS The article uses the work of a young Polish photographer Alicia Zmyslowska. They remind us that, despite all the difficulties for owners, for dogs it is a time of spring and love.

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How to avoid mating

This question is most often asked by owners of dogs who do not plan to breed. But it is not alien to people who keep breeding dogs, because an unplanned mating will be an unpleasant surprise.

The main condition is to keep an eye on the dog while walking, do not let it off the leash and do not allow strangers to get too close.

You can purchase a special product at veterinary pharmacies or pet stores that eliminates the odor that attracts male dogs. It is used to treat the back of the pet’s body before each walk.

The dog has diarrhea and won't eat anything

If a dog has not eaten for more than two days and has diarrhea, then it is likely that he has:

1. Acute inflammation (enteritis) of the intestines. It has a viral/infectious nature. Characteristic of puppies and teenage dogs. Difficult to recognize and treat within several days.
2. Intestinal volvulus is a torsion of any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Characterized by bloating.
3. Intussusception (obstruction) of the intestine - one segment of the intestine enters the lower or upper lumen of another segment of the intestine.
4. Renal, liver, pancreatic failure. It entails severe intoxication in the dog’s body, forcing it to refuse food.
5. Teeth, gums hurt, or there is an injury in the oral cavity.
6. There is a foreign object in the throat.

Good luck everyone, see you in the next article.

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Care features

On the eve of the first estrus, the female may experience discharge from the loop, juvenile vaginitis containing a small amount of pus. There is no need to worry, this phenomenon is normal. Everything will return to normal as soon as the heat passes. If this does not happen, then it is worth undergoing an examination to identify various pathologies.

To make the estrus period more hygienic (especially for estrus in dogs kept in an apartment), you can purchase elastic panties for one-time use. They will prevent your dog from leaving bloody spots around the house. But still, you should not wear them all the time; veterinarians advise allowing the female to remove the discharge on her own by licking it.

During the first heat, the dog may not understand how to behave, so it is worth teaching it to remove spots. And to do this you need to remove carpets and rugs from the floor.

During the period of heat, the dog requires care:

• You should avoid long walks in winter to prevent your pet from catching a cold;
• There is no need to take her out to places where other dogs gather;
• Walks are strictly on a leash.

If suddenly it was not possible to prevent an unwanted mating, then it is forbidden to give the dog drugs to help terminate the pregnancy. This will cause significant health problems for the pet, which lead to infertility in the dog.

An important factor is keeping the dog during heat. If you do not plan to breed a dog and get puppies from her, at the first sign of estrus you need to start taking precautions:

• Keep a close eye on your dog while walking and avoid all contact with dogs of the opposite sex.
• Walk your dog on a short leash: even the most well-mannered and docile pet can run away during heat, not paying attention to any commands.
• Do not allow your dog to mate - it is impossible to separate the animals during intercourse.
• Do not take your dog while in heat to competitions or shows. This will cause anxiety among the male dogs present at the show. During heat, a dog does not respond well to commands and can be disobedient.

Bad food

Your pet may simply not like the food you give him. Therefore, it is imperative to check the quality of dog food. If it has spoiled, then it is not surprising that your pet refuses to eat it. Before giving any food to your four-legged friend, make sure it is fresh.

A decrease in appetite can also be observed with a sudden change in diet. If you decide to switch your dog to another food, it is best to do it gradually. We need to let her get used to the new diet. It should also be understood that you should only change your diet if absolutely necessary. Most often this is done as prescribed by a veterinarian. If you yourself decide to accustom your dog to a different food, and as a result he has lost his appetite, then it is better to abandon this idea, since the new food most likely seems tasteless to the pet. Start giving your dog his favorite food again. It is likely that this will work and he will stop refusing to eat.

No heat

With good general health and the state of the reproductive and hormonal systems, the first estrus occurs at the established normal times and then repeats with a certain cyclical regularity. If the dog is older than 18 months, and the first heat has not come, you should consult a veterinarian to find out the reason for this delay.

Reasons for delay/absence of first heat:

• Poor living conditions, improper or insufficient feeding;
• Violation of hormonal regulation of the reproductive system;
• Congenital disorders in the development and structure of the genital organs;
• Ovarian dysfunction (hypofunction, lack of appropriate hormones during the appropriate period);
• Dysfunction of the pituitary gland and/or thyroid gland;
• Tumors and/or other neoplasms, cysts of the pelvic organs or on the ovaries;
• Endocrine pathologies;
• Chronic inflammatory processes in the uterus;
• Hermaphroditism (for example, when underdeveloped testes are found instead of ovaries).

How to avoid the difficulties of estrus

To cope with the symptoms of estrus in dogs, breeders and dog owners advise using drugs to regulate sexual heat.

Drugs from the CounterSex Neo brand are hormonal drugs for regulating sexual desire and preventing unwanted pregnancy in case of accidental mating.

Many breeders and dog owners use CounterSex Neo for the following reasons:

1. High efficiency. With the help of CounterSex Neo drugs, it is possible to effectively correct a dog’s behavior, solve problems of aggression, marks in dogs during heat; prevent unwanted pregnancy.
2. Safety. CounterSex Neo is a new generation bihormonal drug. The drug is safe due to the minimal content of 2 modern active ingredients.
3. Convenience. The drug CounterSex Neo is available in the form of drops and tablets. Each owner can choose the most comfortable form of the drug for his dog, in which it will be convenient for him to give the drug to the animal.

Old dog refuses to eat

As dogs get older, they experience health problems. To improve the quality of life of an aging dog, his owner should be caring and observant towards him.

If your old friend refuses to eat, he may be obese. In this case, you need to adjust your diet. It should be varied and consist of low-calorie, quality foods. Minimize your carbohydrate (cereal) intake. Let the predominant foods in your dog’s diet be foods containing fiber (vegetables). Walk your dog as much as possible. Even if she doesn't play or jump , quiet walks are also very beneficial.

Carefully examine the animal's mouth; the problem may lie in a sore tooth, gum or wound in the oral cavity. If your dog has no other warning signs other than refusing to eat, then these tips will help your pet. Otherwise, you should take him to the vet for a full examination.