Things You'll Need
Instructions
Ensure that the animal's environment is appropriate. Many animals stop eating as a result of environmental stress. Reptiles may go on a hunger strike if they are cold, while amphibians may stop eating if the humidity is too low. Dogs tend to stop eating when they are not getting enough exercise, during a move or at times of family stress. Cats who are allowed to hunt for food outside may refuse to eat cat food when they're inside.
Correct problems in the animal's habitat. Returning the animal and its environment to a healthy state will greatly depend on the specific needs of the animal. Consult a care sheet, veterinarian or book to learn precisely how to improve your animal's environment. A reptile's cage temperature can be raised with a quality heat bulb and humidity levels can be increased by misting cage glass with water or using a fogger. To eliminate stress and depression in dogs, work to create stability and routine in the animal's environment and provide the dog with lots of exercise. Cats who are accustomed to eating outside may actually thrive eating wild-caught food, but consult your veterinarian to ensure that your cat is getting adequate nutrition by hunting.
Add more variety to the animal's diet. Reptiles and rodents in particular are especially likely to go on hunger strikes when fed prepackaged food. Insectivorous reptiles should be fed a variety of worms and insects rather than just one prey item. Herbivorous and omnivorous reptiles should be fed fresh vegetables rather than pellets, and rodents should be offered a variety of seeds and nuts as well as some fruits and vegetables. Consult your veterinarian for species-appropriate diet recommendations. Conversely, dogs and cats may go on hunger strikes when fed a new food. Gradually incorporate the new food into the animal's diet by mixing it with the old food, eliminating the old food over the course of a week.
Mix something delicious in with the animal's normal food. The smell and appearance of the favorite food may induce the animal to eat. Many animals enjoy certain "junk food" items that are not particularly nutritional. Most turtles and tortoises are attracted to red items, especially fruit like raspberries and strawberries. Dogs and cats enjoy foods with a strong and meaty smell, so give them bacon or ground beef. Rodents enjoy a variety of soft and chew fruits, and chinchillas are especially partial to raisins. Birds love an occasional sweet and crunchy treat like yogurt or banana chips.