Read About Small Pet Not Eating

Small pet not eating? This can be a sign that your pet may be suffering from a serious illness. Though it does not necessarily mean the worst, it is advisable to keep a close eye on your pet if he begins exhibiting a loss of appetite. When you have a small pet not eating, it is, at the very least, a clue that you must not ignore that something unusual is going on with your animal.

Small pets should eat and drink something at least every eight hours. Therefore, if you have a small pet not eating, it should alert you right away to a potential problem. It could be nothing more than a strange mood on your animal's part, but if this is the case, then your pet should resume eating again within a twenty-four hour period. If your small pet not eating issues extend beyond that point, then you should eliminate any minor possibilities to explain away his behavior, and begin examining him closely for any other signs of ill health. Other signs of ill health may include lethargy, crying, runny nose, sudden weight loss or gain, swollen joints, and bleeding. Though this is not an exhaustive list of possible ailments, it does hit on the major symptoms that your small pet may exhibit should he become sick. If your pet suffers a loss of appetite due to an injury, then there will probably be some more noticeable symptoms, such as hobbling, lameness, or extreme sensitivity when touched.

Small pet not eating issues will frequently develop due to respiratory or intestinal illnesses. All of these types of sickness generally cause small animals to experience a loss of appetite. Look for other signs of distress from your pet, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or a change in stool. If you notice or suspect any other symptoms within your pet, then it is likely that he is suffering from a virus, infection, or other disease. In any event, you should contact your veterinarian right away if your small pet goes for more than about eight hours without eating. Remember that this is not normal behavior under any circumstances, and the longer you put off taking your animal to the vet, the more likely it will be that his illness will progress to a more serious level.

The best protection that you can offer your pet is to be aware of his eating habits and behaviors. At the first sign of anything unusual, such as your small pet not eating, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet examined.