While it is possible to treat a dog with distemper, one of the downfalls is that they don’t have a regular appetite. When you are seeking treatment for a dog suffering from distemper, it may take up to 2 months for them to recover. In the meantime, you will need to figure out which foods you are able to get your dog to eat.
It’s very important that you make sure the dog is hydrated and well-nourished while they recover. Keep reading to learn what food you should give a dog with distemper.
Table of Contents
How To Get A Dog With Distemper To Eat
When dogs are suffering from distemper, they feel nauseous, which is why they have trouble eating. A safe and easy way to calm the dog’s stomach so they can eat is by using Karo syrup. If your dog is still drinking, mix 1 tablespoon of Karo syrup with 8 ounces of drinking water and let your dog consume it before their meal.
However, if your dog is finicky and won’t drink the water with syrup in it, you can put a small amount of Karo syrup on the roof of their tongue. Karo syrup is a type of corn syrup that has been derived from the starch of maize. This ingredient can be found in the baking aisle at most grocery stores.
Karo syrup works to calm the dog’s stomach down so they no longer feel nauseous, which helps them get their appetite back.
What Food Should You Give A Dog With Distemper?
Making sure your dog is well nourished is crucial for their recovery. They likely won’t consume dry kibble as frequently as they would when they are in good health. It’s important that you feed your dog food with more moisture.
These are some of the foods you should give a dog with distemper:
Soft Canned Dog Food
Soft food has more moisture, and it’s easier for a dog to digest when it isn’t feeling well. Your dog will have an easier time getting nourished and staying hydrated if you feed them canned food.
Liver
Liver is a great food to give a dog with distemper. It’s soft enough for the sick dog to consume easily, and it’s rich in vitamins. When your dog eats liver, they are consuming a healthy amount of healthy essential fatty acids, iron, copper, and zinc.
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is a great way to get nutrients into a dog with distemper, which isn’t eating very much. If your dog is in the stage where they aren’t eating very much, you can feed them chicken broth with a syringe.
However, if the dog’s appetite is beginning to come back, you can begin feeding them boneless chicken and boiled potatoes with chicken broth. When your dog has distemper, soaking any food you give them in some chicken broth first will make it easier for them to consume.
Canned tuna
If your dog enjoys fish, you should try to feed them canned tuna. The fish oils will be beneficial to your dog. Some people mix the tuna with cooked rice, allowing the rice to soak up the fish oils.
Milk
Milk is a great way to give your dog more vitamins and nutrients when they aren’t eating. Some dogs prefer the milk warmed up first. If your dog isn’t eating any solid foods, it is recommended to give them milk for infants.
Baby Food
A lot of people don’t even consider baby food when treating a dog with distemper. There are many baby foods that dogs enjoy and are safe to feed them, like chicken or turkey. Since this food is already pureed, it’s easier for the dog to eat.
Everyday Foods That Can Help Prevent Distemper
When you want to help your dog stay safe from distemper, you need to feed it immune-boosting foods. While there is a vaccination for distemper, it only prevents the most common strains. To help prevent your dog from catching a rare strain of distemper, introduce these foods into its diet:
Bone broth
Bone broth is easy to make, and it’s full of nutrients that can help boost your dog’s immune system. This style of broth is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and Vitamin D. The broth is also known for its strengthening proteins to keep the immune system strong.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a powerful herb that’s packed with nutritional content. Only a small amount of rosemary contains a healthy dose of Vitamin B6, iron, and calcium. It’s also known to contain anti-inflammatory properties.
Yogurt
Yogurt is great for a balanced diet because it is essential for balancing good and bad bacteria. Dogs love yogurt because of the delicious creamy taste, but yogurt is also a great source of good bacteria (probiotics) which are necessary to stay healthy. Make sure you only give your dog plain yogurt because the additives could make them sick.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is one of the healthiest treats you can give to your dog. This is because it has a high amount of fiber and a bunch of vitamins and minerals. It’s recommended to give your dog pumpkin to help strengthen their stomach, which is where distemper strikes.
Blueberries
One tiny blueberry is packed with antioxidants, which is why they are known as a superfood. Letting your dog eat a few blueberries is good because it’s a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, folate, copper, manganese, and beta-carotene. There are many nutrients in these berries to help protect the immune system.
Want To Train Your Dog With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your dog properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, that you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your dog completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Final thoughts
When your dog is suffering from distemper, you will need to make sure you help it stay nourished. It’s important that they stay hydrated and you feed them foods with more moisture. If your dog is having difficulties eating, it is recommended to give them 1 tablespoon of Karo syrup to ease their stomach.
It may take a bit of testing to figure out which foods your food will want to eat when they have distemper. However, one rule of thumb is that the softer the food, the better.
