How Do I Monitor My Pet’s Appetite Each Day? Let’s Discuss!

Did you know that one of the most common signs of a developing illness in pets is a change in appetite? Many medical conditions in our little ones will either lead to a decrease or increase their appetite, often enough for us to take immediate notice. Our team at Vetted knows just how much of an indicator appetite is to your pet’s overall health, which is why we want to make sure you know how to monitor it!

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In order to take notice when your pet’s appetite has changed, you must first know what is normal for your little one. The best way to do this is by keeping up with your pet’s standard appetite from week to week, and our Vetted weekly check in helps you do just that! To make the most of the information we discuss below, we suggest that you download the Vetted app, input your pet's basic information, and take a look at our weekly check in feature!

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Now, let’s discuss the most effective ways to monitor your little one’s appetite each day below. 

Why Should We Pay Attention To Our Pet’s Appetite?

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As we mentioned above, your pet’s appetite is a wonderful indicator of how they are currently feeling. A happy and healthy pet should be excited to dive into their food bowl each day, or at least have a general interest in their meals that does not often waver.  While appetite can certainly shift occasionally with age or vary from pet to pet, any abrupt changes in your pet’s appetite can point to an underlying medical concern. 

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Whether you have a canine companion or a beloved cat, so many of the most common health conditions are first detected due to a shift in their hunger. Some of these underlying conditions that impact appetite include gastrointestinal illness, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, general pain, and so much more. 

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Due to the fact that our pet’s mealtime is something we can monitor easily each day, this offers us the perfect opportunity to stay on top of their general wellness!

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Our team at Vetted is always here to offer guidance when it comes to your pet’s appetite, you can always download the Vetted app or email our team directly at love@getvetted.io! We have a team of skilled Vet Pros on standby to help you and your little one from the comfort of your home, so you can always find the help you and your pet need. 

How To Monitor Your Pet’s Appetite

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Most pets will be excited to dive into their food bowl at breakfast and dinner time, but just like in people, appetite can vary. This is why it is so important to be aware of what’s normal for your little one, as this will allow you to catch on if you notice any abrupt changes. 

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Since there is no one size fits all approach for general hunger in each pet, we have listed a few effective questions that will help you determine what is normal for your companion! Once you have determined what your pet’s appetite looks like from day to day, you can stay on top of any changes with the Vetted weekly check in. 

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Here is our Vetted question checklist for your pet’s appetite weekly check in!

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• Does your pet appear eager when you fill their food bowl each morning? Do they follow you to the bowl, offer a tail wag, or appear happy to see their bowl being filled?
• When you fill your pet’s food bowl, do they immediately dive into their meals and begin to eat?
• Is your pet known to lick their bowl clean, or are they more of a meal grazer throughout the day?
• Does your pet have a favorite treat that they simply cannot resist?
• When you do offer your little one a treat, are they easily excitable and ready to come enjoy the snack?
• If they do ever miss the occasional meal, do they typically have an appetite again by their next meal time?
• Does it seem like your pet is much more hungry than usual? If so, has this lasted for more than 48 hours?
• Is your pet known to stand by their empty food bowl and cry, beg for scraps of human food, or appear as if they are demanding food between meal times?

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These questions can offer you some general baselines when it comes to your pet’s appetite each day, but every pet will have their own unique personality that you can monitor as well. Both a decrease and an increase in appetite can point to underlying health complications in our pets, so it’s important to make note of any changes you may notice!

What If Something Doesn’t Seem Right?

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If you do notice any changes in your pet’s appetite, you may wonder what the next step should be. Due to the fact that appetite changes are so common in pets when they are not feeling like themselves, we always suggest reaching out to your veterinary team for guidance if your pet’s hunger seems off for more than 48 hours. This is especially true if they are experiencing any other symptoms outside of a change in hunger as well. 

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In addition to giving your veterinary clinic a call and asking for guidance, you can always download the Vetted app or email our team directly at love@getvetted.io, and we can offer you skilled guidance on what any of these appetite changes could mean for your little one. Our pet health chat is always available to offer you peace of mind!

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Final Thoughts

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Your pet’s appetite change can be the first indicator of a developing illness. Our team at Vetted wants to empower you to stay on top of your little one’s health, so we encourage you to review the appetite questions we listed above and keep them in mind when you are doing your weekly check in on the app!

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