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Senior dog with kidney disease won't eat or drink. What can I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Male | neutered | 14 years and 2 months old | 10 lbs

My 14 year old chiweenie has stage 4 kidney disease. He has really declined this weekend after having a seizure on Friday evening. He won't even allow me to open his mouth to put give him almond butter. He is not able to drink water. He got sick to his stomach yesterday and had very messy stool. Since then he has been extremely wobbly and unsteady, and he is unable to stand or walk well. He is on Sub Q fluids, cerenia, appetite stimulants. What can I do to help him get food or water in him?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 26th, 2018

I'm sorry Boomer is so sick. The SQ fluids will be keeping him hydrated, but IV fluids would be better in that they are absorbed faster. The drugs he is being given are supposed to stop the nausea and stimulate him to eat, but it sounds like they aren't helping at the moment. Unfortunately I don't think there really is much you can do to get him to eat or drink. I'd recommend taking him back into a vet immediately. In my opinion, it sounds like his quality of life is quite poor at the moment, and in all honestly, it may be time to let him go via humane euthanasia. You say yourself he has really declined over the weekend, he can't stand or walk well, and he won't eat or drink. That's a very poor way for a dog to live, and kidney disease is not something that can be cured. I would be afraid you've reached all you can do with him. It's worth taking him into a vet now to discuss his quality of life. I imagine this isn't an answer you want to hear, but honestly is best in these cases. Again, I'm sorry.

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    Answered By Ana M, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 20th, 2018

    Thank you for submitting your question regarding Boomer. He will need to see his veterinarian. You can be taught to administer fluids to him at home if you are willing. The fluids can go under his skin between his shoulder blades. This will rehydrate him and help his kidneys to work better. He will also likely be prescribed an antacid and anti-nausea medicine. There are prescription appetite stimulants as well. You can try baby food. Most dogs will take the meat flavors. However, this is a high protein food and can potentially cause more stress to the kidneys. It becomes a balancing act as he obviously need to consume more calories. I would start with these options and hopefully they help him to eat more. His disease sounds very advanced though. I hope this information helps.

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