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It is a natural phenomenon that weight changes with age, and the same can happen in dogs. There are different factors that can affect dogs, such as age, breed, diet, and other health problems, and the result is weight loss in dogs. But if everything seems fine with your dog but he's still losing weight, see your vet as soon as possible.

As you know, dogs can lose weight, and there are different factors involved in it, but losing weight is never normal until it is done with the planned diet. If you think your dog is losing a lot of weight but is eating a healthy diet, take your dog to the vet so the problem can be diagnosed and your dog can live a happy and healthy life.

In this article, we will look at five common reasons why your dog is losing weight and how you can cope with these issues.

5 Common Reasons Why Your Dog Is Losing Weight

1. Food Issues

The most common cause of weight loss is the problem of diet. If there is any sudden change in the diet of our puppies or if the food formula has been reformulated, problems will occur. Most dogs are picky eaters, and when they adapt to a diet, it is challenging to change it. Dogs have very sensitive noses, and if you change any ingredient in their diet, they will notice it immediately and turn their faces due to this strange taste.

Dogs also behave differently in stressful situations. For example, if you bring a new dog home and an aggressive dog is already present in the house, the submissive dog will be fearful and will not eat properly.

In the same way, if you have changed apartments, it may be that the taste of the water is what bothers your puppy since he was adjusted to the previous place.

2. Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites affect a dog's health very severely. Although this problem is not as common as it once was, there is still the possibility that it can cause serious harm to your dog's health. Typically, pet owners use a monthly deworming treatment that offers protection against heartworm and other intestinal parasites, but dogs can still suffer from this problem. For example, whipworms have problems where most treatments are ineffective, and dogs can easily contract this infestation through contaminated soil and water.

The main problem with these intestinal parasites is that they eat all the necessary nutrients and therefore deprive the dog of all the essential nutrients that they get from food. So intestinal parasites may be the cause if your dog is eating and losing weight.

In addition to weight loss in dogs, the following symptoms are due to a parasite infestation..

• Diarrhea
• Increased gas
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Abdominal swelling

The good news is that these intestinal parasites can be easily diagnosed by fecal exams and can be treated with specific dewormers. The best way to get rid of this problem is to use monthly treatment programs.

3. Pain problems

Any type of physical pain can cause your dog to stop eating and lead to weight loss. For example, if your dog has a broken tooth, it will be difficult for him to eat something. Similarly, if there are any abscesses or lesions present on your dog's tongue, the kibble can hurt him when he chews, so dogs avoid eating anything.

If any harmful ingredients present in your dog's food can cause digestive problems like cramps and bloat. The dog will feel uncomfortable after eating such food and will not eat that food next time.

If your dog has eaten some of the garbage and it causes an intestinal blockage, it will not allow the food to pass through and results in a disturbance of the digestive system.

Here are some signs of why your dog is suffering from a painful problem and causing your dog to avoid food.

• Crying when stomach is touched
• Abdominal pain
• Drooling or panting
• Vomiting
• Anxiety or lethargy
• Strange breathing sounds

You should take your dog for a veterinary exam if you see any of the above signs in your dog. Aside from digestive issues, any foreign objects, tumors, or simple allergic reactions can prevent your dog from eating anything and result in weight loss.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the common problems in older dogs, especially females. The first sign that will appear in dogs suffering from diabetes is weight loss, as the body cannot get its energy from glucose and instead converts protein or fat into energy.

If your puppy is losing weight but is eating and drinking a lot of water and food, take him to the vet. It is seen that those dogs that suffer from diabetes can lose weight quickly and lose muscle mass. Diabetes also causes increased thirst, and your dog will urinate excessively, leading to accidents around the house.

The main symptoms of diabetes in dogs are

• Excessive thirst
• Weight loss
• Excessive urination
• Cloudy eyes
• Increased appetite
• Chronic urinary infections

If your dog suffers from any of these symptoms, a visit to the vet is necessary immediately. Your vet will perform different tests, such as blood glucose tests and other urinalysis tests, to determine diabetes in your dog. When the diagnosis is made, insulin injections are given on a regular basis.

5. Cancer

Loss of appetite and sudden weight loss is also a sign that your dog is suffering from cancer. Cancer changes the way the body uses nutrients, and the first and most common symptom to appear is a sick pet.

• Coughing
• Bad odors from dog
• Shortness of breath
• New cysts or swollen spots
• Limping and other mobility issues
• Skin sores that don't heal
• Urination and defecation changes
• Eating problems
• Excessive drool
• Exhaustion

Dogs with cancer can feel a significant change in their personality. If you see any of the above signs, a visit to the vet is necessary. After a complete diagnosis of your dog, a veterinarian can advise you on the best treatment plan.

Conclusion

Weight loss in dogs is a severe problem, and it is important to be aware of it. If your dog is losing weight due to any of the above causes, see your vet and treat these issues so your puppy can lead a healthy life.