If a dog does not eat or only eats a little, there can be many reasons. In addition to illnesses and stress, the bitch’s heat can also be responsible for the loss of appetite. Below we explain why this is the case and what you can do about it.
Key facts at a glance
- Stress and hormonal fluctuations can lead to a loss of appetite in bitches on heat.
- Temporary loss of appetite without physical symptoms such as fever is usually not a problem.
- If a bitch in heat eats poorly for a longer period of time or if other symptoms occur, a visit to the veterinarian is advisable.
- When in heat, bitches are often particularly clingy and require a little more attention and stroking.
- If necessary, particularly tasty treats can help to counteract the loss of appetite.
The heat is very stressful for bitches
Be aware that being on heat is extremely stressful for your bitch. On the one hand, she has to deal with the fluctuations in her hormone balance and, on the other hand, she is sometimes harassed by male dogs when going for a walk.
All of this can really upset the stomachs of many a four-legged friend. Sensitive bitches in particular not only tend to become particularly clingy when in heat, but also often eat noticeably poorly.
Loss of appetite during heat is usually harmless
If your dog eats poorly when she is in heat, this is usually not a cause for concern. In most cases, this is a temporary phenomenon and it doesn’t take long for your four-legged friend’s appetite to return to normal.
When the lack of appetite becomes a problem
The whole thing is different, however, if other problems arise in addition to the loss of appetite and your dog, for example, gets a fever or suffers from diarrhea, she has an unusual vaginal discharge or you notice a strange smell in her.
Because in this case your bitch is probably not eating badly because of her heat. Instead, the loss of appetite is most likely a symptom of an illness and you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Occasionally there is an inflammation of the uterus behind the discomfort, which, if left undetected, can lead to life-threatening suppuration.
The situation is similar if your dog, who is in heat, hardly eats anything over a longer period of time. Because while refusing food for a few days is not a problem for the body of the four-legged friend, fasting for weeks without any further symptoms can have serious consequences for the health and trigger various deficiency symptoms in your dog.
Support for bitches in heat
Apart from the fact that you have to prevent unwanted mating during heat, you should also make sure that your bitch is as comfortable as possible during the strenuous phase of her cycle.
Give your four-legged friend enough relaxation and rest breaks and also give him a little more attention than usual. Some bitches are very sensitive by nature and therefore seek to be close to their owner, especially when they are in heat. If this is the case with your four-legged friend, stroking is of course particularly important.
In order to counteract the loss of appetite during heat, there may well be one or the other special treat. Maybe your dog will at least be inspired by a tasty piece of meat or her favorite treats.
However, refrain from providing your four-legged friend with unsuitable food. After all, some foods that are perfectly harmless to you can be highly toxic to dogs.
Our conclusion on the subject of loss of appetite during heat
As you can see, it is not uncommon for a bitch to eat poorly while on heat. In most cases, it doesn’t take long for your four-legged friend’s appetite to return to normal. There is only cause for concern if the refusal to eat lasts for a long period of time or if you notice other obvious symptoms of illness in your dog.
Otherwise, you should mainly focus on supporting your four-legged friend in his cycle during this stressful phase and giving your dog a little extra attention.