It can be very upsetting when your dog won’t eat. Dogs and puppies are typically hungry, active bundles of joy, and a dog without their appetite is like pie without ice cream: it’s just wrong. Whether you’ve had your dog for years or just adopted them, you’ll want to understand why they won’t eat.
Determining the cause is the best way to start a treatment plan. First, keep in mind how you’re personally viewing your dog’s appetite. Is your dog not eating as much as the product or veterinary guidelines, or is he not eating at all? A dog can be perfectly healthy and only eat 60% of the amount of dog food as listed on the packaging, because just like us, dogs have different appetites and preferences.
The problematic part is that a lack of appetite can indicate illness. If you believe there’s something wrong with your dog, you should take them to your local veterinarian immediately. Changes in your dog’s eating habits, especially a refusal to eat, are signs of an underlying issue.
Veterinarians recommend that your dog eat at least two meals a day, twelve hours apart. But if your pup joins in on the family’s eating schedule that’s also a great option as it’s easier to remember to feed them at these appropriate times. What’s most important is noting your dog’s eating patterns, how much they eat, and when they eat, so that you can notice if there’s an issue with their appetite.
Quick Action Guide: If your dog is refusing to eat and is vomiting, having diarrhea, or showing other signs of illness, contact your veterinarian within 8-12 hours.
When To Call Your Vet
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Contact your veterinarian if your dog remains uninterested in their food, if their loss of appetite lasts for more than a few days, or if you notice any other worrying behavioral changes. If your dog has a chronic illness or medical condition, contact your veterinarian immediately, especially if you have a puppy.
You should seek emergency attention if your dog has no appetite but is excessively drinking water. They could have an underlying medical issue, and you need to call your veterinarian for advice. Puppies cannot go long without food, and if your puppy is skipping meals it’s important to take them in for emergency care right away.
Potential Reasons Why My Dog Is Not Eating
Why is my dog not eating food? Here are some potential issues that might be causing your dog’s appetite change, including what to watch out for and signs of illness and disease. As always, contacting your veterinarian when you’re worried about your dog’s health is important.
It’s important to be aware of your dog’s general health and the timeframes of their eating habits. If your dog hasn’t eaten food for 24-48 hours, you should consider taking them in to see the veterinarian. A dog’s normal temperature is between 101° and 102.5° Fahrenheit, and you can routinely take their temperature as an indicator of their health.
Illness
The presence of an illness, or other medical issues, could be why your dog isn’t eating. Several medical conditions can decrease your dog’s food consumption, leading to anorexia (complete loss of appetite) or hyporexia (decreased appetite).
You should know your dog’s patterns well enough to notice behavioral changes. Signs of illness can include:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Sudden Weight Loss
- Diarrhea
- Changes in Drinking Patterns
- Trouble Walking or Climbing
- Bad Breath
- Respiratory Problems
- Abnormal Vocalizations
Illness can be the reason why your pup isn’t eating. Some medical causes of why your dog won’t eat can include:
- Gastrointestinal disease – Upset stomach, dietary indiscretion, stomach ulcers, constipation, or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Obstructions – Anything blocking the gastrointestinal tract, including foreign matter or a small toy.
- Dog vomiting – If your pet is throwing up, there could be a deeper issue.
- Systemic illness – Kidney failure, organ dysfunction, diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis.
- Dental diseases – Dental issues can cause immense pain for a dog.
- Cancer – Masses growing in the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, or throat, can affect a dog’s appetite.
- Arthritis – Any sort of physical ailment can affect your dog’s behaviors, making it tougher for them to eat or reach their food bowl.
- Diarrhea – Diarrhea in dogs is caused by many things, and sickness might be preventing them from eating.
- Medications – There are many side-effects to medications that can decrease your dog’s appetite, which is why it’s important to always discuss pet medications with your veterinarian
Dental Disease
Dental disease and related oral issues can prevent your pup from eating. Mouth issues can be extremely painful, preventing your dog from eating with enthusiasm. You must schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian so that they can examine the pup’s teeth. Your dog might not be eating because of dental pain when chewing, biting, or swallowing.
Signs of common canine oral or dental issues can include:
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Refusal to chew hard food
- Facial sensitivity
- Sneezing or swelling of the face
- Bleeding from the gums or mouth
Your local veterinarian can give your dog X-rays and regular teeth cleanings that will prevent the build-up of bacteria and stop widespread infections before they begin.
You can also take preventive measures to care for your dog’s teeth:
- Brush your dog’s teeth regularly, with daily brushings or even a few times a week.
- Take your dog to the vet; the AAHA recommends annual dental exams for all adult dogs, as vets can identify any dental or oral issues early and give them thorough teeth cleaning.
- Use veterinarian-approved dental products such as dental chews, toys, and prescription foods. Avoid using any human products on your dog.
- Keep your dog from biting or chewing on things around the home. You may need to babyproof your home to ensure they don’t chew or swallow foreign objects.
Stress or depression
Dogs are emotional creatures, just like us. They can feel stress and the effects of depression, and may exhibit familiar symptoms such as lethargy and loss of appetite. If your dog is not eating food, it could be caused by an emotional issue.
Common changes in a dog’s life can cause depression, such as:
- Changing locations
- The loss of an important human
- Missing a canine companion
- Reduced mental stimulation
- Changes in a major schedule
- A new human or pet in the home
If your dog is in pain they might refuse to eat. Your local veterinarian can give you insight into your dog’s behavior.
Problems With Your Dog’s Food
Dogs routinely eat the same food day in and day out with little issue. If your dog is suddenly disinterested in their kibble, it might be a sign that there’s something wrong with the food itself.
If your dog is not eating food, there might be something wrong with the food itself. Check the food’s expiration date, storage, and flavor. Look through the ingredients and see if the manufacturer has made any unlisted changes. When your dog’s food changes, it can be dramatic for them. When you change your dog’s diet it needs to be done gradually over days to avoid upset stomach and decreased appetite.
Ensure that your dog isn’t being fed by other members of your home, and that your pup isn’t getting too many treats throughout the day. Treats and human food can interfere with your dog’s diet and cause disruptions during mealtime.
Monitor Water and Food Intake
If you believe that your dog isn’t eating, it’s important to monitor their intake of nutrients. Continue measuring their food during feeding time as normal, whether by weight or using a measuring cup, and then frequently check their feeding bowls over a period of hours. It’s also important to make sure they’re drinking enough fresh water—if your dog is not drinking water or eating food, you need to contact your veterinarian right away.
Age
Dogs of different ages have different caloric requirements. For instance, a healthy senior dog requires fewer calories than young, exuberant pups, and you might notice a decrease in appetite as your pup ages. When you train your puppy, they can become fairly excitable, which might decrease their appetite.
Age itself isn’t the reason your dog is anorexic. When a significant change occurs in your senior dog’s appetite, it’s important to contact your veterinarian right away.
There are a few ways to support your senior dog’s eating habits, including:
- Providing them with a raised food bowl.
- Putting a nonslip mat around their food and water bowls.
- Offering your senior dog softer foods.
- Feeding them consistently and reinforcing schedules to prevent cognitive decline.
Unfamiliar Environments
Moving, traveling, or unfamiliar environments can cause a decrease in your dog’s appetite. Your dog might not be eating because of the stress of traveling, or the overwhelming interest in new and unfamiliar surroundings. Animals can also get motion sickness, while others become withdrawn or nervous when introduced to new places.
Recent Vaccination
Veterinarians have made vaccinations available for many serious and contagious dog diseases. While vaccinations save the lives of millions of pets, they have adverse effects. Side effects are minor and brief, but can include a loss of appetite.
If you have questions about vaccine side effects you can read up on the AAHA’s Postvaccination adverse events and reactions, or talk through your concerns with your trusted local veterinarian.
Pickiness or Behavior Issues
Dogs can be picky just like people. Refusal to eat might be caused by feeding them in environments that make them uncomfortable, such as around another dog. Their food bowl could also be an issue—depending on the size of your dog, they might need an elevated food bowl so that eating doesn’t hurt their neck and shoulders.
Decreased appetite can be caused by illness, and it’s important to investigate all possibilities before making an assumption. Taking your dog in to see your local veterinarian can help rule out possibilities and get to the root of the problem.
How to Encourage Your Dog to Eat?
Your veterinarian can help you determine the best course of action if your dog refuses to eat. Every dog, and situation, is unique—it’s important to not become overly frustrated, because your dog needs your help.
If your dog’s loss of appetite is caused by illness, the veterinarian will prescribe a specific diet to help meet your dog’s nutritional needs. The underlying disease will need to be addressed, and in some cases, these special diets are not tasty or fun. Don’t force your dog to eat the prescribed food. Talk with your veterinarian about alternatives, because in more extreme cases the vet might prescribe medications that stimulate appetite. If your dog continues to refuse eating, they might need a liquid diet or feeding tube.
Pickiness, discomfort, and other outlying issues might be causing a behavior problem that prevents them from eating. This isn’t a medical condition, and there are things you can do to help encourage your pet to eat.
Help your dog’s diet and appetite by:
- Giving them less treats.
- Feeding them on a regular schedule.
- Making mealtime fun.
- Adding rewards to mealtime.
- Take your dog on a walk before mealtime.
- Change their environment or feeding situation.
- Try different kinds of food, such as canned/dry.
- Add warm water to their kibble to make it more appetizing.
Conclusion
We all want our dogs and puppies to eat so they can have happy, healthy, full lives. It’s worrisome when our pets do anything out of the norm, but it’s important to note the difference between a dietary change and a full refusal to eat.
If you’re ever worried about a change in your dog’s behavior, it’s important to take them to a veterinarian you can trust. Paoli VetCare has over three decades of experience helping to treat dogs with behavioral problems, and their knowledgeable staff cares enough to get to the bottom of your dog’s dietary issue. Let’s work together to ensure that your dog is eating like normal and growing strong!
