As your dog ages, his/her behavior, locomotion and appetite can change. If he/she leaves out half his/her bowl, or on the contrary develops an insatiable appetite, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
1. Your companion has difficulty accessing its food
As mentioned above, as your pet ages, it can become very difficult to move. A recent study shows that over 92% of geriatric cats (over 12 years of age) have osteoarthritis, and as many as 40% of dogs under 4 years of age already have osteoarthritis visible on x-ray! If this osteoarthritis is at an advanced stage, your dog/cat may be hungry, unable to reach its bowls, or to remain stable for the duration of its meal. Don't hesitate to put non-slip mats in front of feeding points to see if this improves your companion's appetite.
2. Your pet suffers from dental pain
Dental problems affect 80% of dogs and cats over 3 years of age. You can lift your companion's lips to get a quick idea of the state of his teeth.
Unlike cats and dogs, we humans brush our teeth every day. After 5 or 6 years of age, they often develop large amounts of tartar, which can lead to gingival recession (the gum tissue pushed back to the base of the tooth) and even loosening of the teeth.
Their survival instinct is strong, so they continue to eat until the disease is advanced. However, when the disease is too severe, the pain is too great and your companion will stop eating.
3. Your pet is cognitively impaired
Cognitive disorders are a group of disorders associated with aging. They are similar to Alzheimer's disease or dementia in humans. Over 50% of senior cats and dogs are affected.
They bring together a range of symptoms: loss of appetite, loss of spatial reference points, confusion, desocialization, altered sleep-wake cycles, dirtiness, anxiety...
Although common in geriatric pets, modifications to your home or certain treatments can help.
4. Your pet suffers from another pathology
As with us, our companions' appetites diminish as soon as they are unwell.
The risk of certain diseases, such as kidney failure, liver failure, heart problems, diabetes and cancer, increases with age.
A change in appetite, whether too little or too much, is an early sign of many pathologies.
If it's accompanied by weight loss or excessive drinking, it's a sign to be taken into consideration. Contact your vet for a weight curve and general check-up.
