A dog not eating and losing appetite is alarming since most dogs love food. Discover the common and not-so-common causes of appetite loss in dogs and the different ways to remedy this problem.
Why Is My Dog Not Eating His Food Anymore?
Typically, a dog not eating and lethargic is a sign that he may be ill. Medical issues are one of the common reasons why dogs refuse to eat.
Illnesses such as parasite infestation, dental problems, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory issues can make dogs lose interest in food. A trip to the vet may be necessary to address this problem.
Why My Dog Won’t Eat but Drinks Water Excessively
- Addison’s disease
- Cushing’s disease
- Diabetes
- Hypercalcemia
- Kidney disease
- Kidney failure
- Liver disease
Other Potential Causes Why a Dog Won’t Eat
Health problems are not only the reason behind your dog’s refusal to eat. Here are other possible factors that cause loss of appetite in dogs:
Dog Not Eating Cause #1: Vaccination
A puppy not eating after getting vaccinated is normal in most cases. Vaccines significantly help in boosting the immune system of dogs. However, it also comes with a few side effects, and loss of appetite is one of them.
Fortunately, dogs not eating due to this reason is only temporary and will disappear within 36–48 hours. If your puppy has a decreased food intake after this duration, contact the vet for advice.
Dog Not Eating Cause #2: Medications
Appetite loss is also a potential side effect of certain medications. If your dog isn’t eating and is on medication, consult the vet if other alternative medicines are better for your furry friend.
Other medications such as antibiotics can sometimes cause stomach upset in dogs. Speak to your vet to ask for a medicine that is easier on the stomach.
For instance, medications can be mixed into a dog’s food to lower the chances of digestive upset.
Dog Not Eating Cause #3: Gastrointestinal Issues
Dogs not eating due to tummy problems commonly happen when they ingest something they are not supposed to, such as trash or inedible objects. This dog behavior problem is called indiscriminate eating.
Indiscriminate eating can lead to diarrhoea, difficulty in eliminating, lethargy, or worse, stomach obstruction. Consistently training your dog and keeping items he may want to consume out of reach should be done to avoid these problems.
Is your pooch gobbling grass? A dog not eating food but eating grass may be trying to remedy his upset stomach by getting rid of what he has consumed. Ingesting grass can make him vomit it out.
You may also like: Gastroenteritis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Dog Not Eating Cause #4: Sudden Change in Environment
Canines are creatures of habit. When their daily routine is abruptly altered, dogs may stop eating. The sudden change can cause stress and anxiety, leading them to lose appetite.
This behaviour is quite common in newly adopted dogs as well as pooches who have just moved to a new home with their owners. Making them feel safe and secure in an unfamiliar place will significantly help bring back their appetite.
Dog Not Eating Cause #5: Has Taken a Liking to Human Food
Do you love to share some of your food with your 4-legged friend? A dog not eating his dog food may have preferred the tasty table scraps you gave him.
This does ruin not only your dog’s appetite but also his health. Most of the table scraps’ ingredients can contribute to the development of canine health issues. For this reason, food leftovers should be kept away from your dog’s bowl.
Dog Not Eating Cause #6: Overfeeding
Are you wondering, “Why is my dog not eating but seems fine?” Your dog not eating might simply be experiencing fullness in his tummy that he needs to skip his next meal.
To avoid overfeeding your dog, portion control is needed. Make sure to split his meals into small servings every day. Moreover, do not let him graze. Remove his dog bowl after giving him 10–20 minutes of mealtime.
Do you spoil your dog with treats? Much like table scraps, they can make him lose interest in eating his dog food. Thus, it is also wise to reduce his dog treat intake.
You may also like: Dog Feeding: How Often Should I Do It?
Dog Not Eating Cause #7: Feeding Stale Dog Food
What causes loss of appetite in dogs? A dog not eating his regular food might be because his meal is spoiled or stale.
Always check his dog food’s expiration date to ensure that you feed him fresh food. If you have a toy-bred dog, his food consumption is lower than bigger dogs. So avoid buying large bags of dog food.
Do not feed him meals that are left out overnight too. It would likely have absorbed moisture which affects its taste and smell, making it unappetising to your dog. Serve him fresh dog food instead.
Dog Not Eating Cause #8: Picky Eater
Many dog owners scratch their heads thinking, “Why my dog isn’t eating but acting normal?” Some dogs are naturally picky eaters.
This is often observed in certain breeds, including the Bichon Frise, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, and Yorkshire Terrier. Dog owners may need to let their dogs try out different types of food to find out which one works for them.
When doing this process, gradual switching of dog food should be done. Avoid sudden changes in their diet as this can result in an upset stomach. Here is a guide that you can follow:
- Days 1–3 – 75% current food, 25% new food
- Days 4–6 – 50% current food, 50% new food
- Days 7–9 – 25% current food, 75% new food
- Day 10–100% new food
You may also like: Best Dog Food Ingredients
How Long Can Dogs Go Without Eating?
If your dog stops eating for more than 2 days, get in touch with your vet to figure out the problem.
How Can I Stimulate My Dog’s Appetite?
So, what do you do when your dog doesn’t eat? One of the best ways is to mix an enticing topper into their food.
It can be in the form of plain boneless and skinless chicken, boiled butternut squash, or salt-free chicken broth.
Warming up his dog food is also a good option since it enhances the smell and tastiness. Ensure that it is not too hot to avoid scalding your dog’s mouth.
Other Ways to Entice Your Dog to Eat Food
1. Give your dog plenty of exercise before mealtime.
Exercise makes dogs hungry because they have burned calories and need to refuel their energy. So make sure to engage your pooch with fun games and activities before eating.
Some dog owners state that walking your dog 45 minutes or longer before mealtime is very effective. This method is especially recommended for pawrents with active dogs, such as Dalmatians and German Shepherds.
Wait for 30 minutes before feeding your dog to allow his stomach to settle. For large and giant dog breeds, it is recommended to feed them a minimum of 40 minutes after exercise to avoid the risk of dog bloat.
2. Consistently follow a feeding schedule.
Some dogs feel safe when they follow a regular routine. Give him his food at the same feeding time every day and give him the same amount of food. Avoid moving his bowl to a new location as it can affect some dogs’ eating habits.
3. Consider switching from dry food to wet food.
Wet food tends to be more appetising than dry kibble because it is rich in protein. It tastes better and gives it a flavourful aroma that appeals to your dog’s sense of taste and smell.
Another benefit of wet dog food to your pooch is it has high water content than its dry kibble. Thus, it’s a good supplement to his water intake and prevents him from becoming dehydrated.
However, do mind that wet food also has its downsides. It tends to be on the pricier side and easily gets spoiled. You may also need to monitor your dog’s teeth and gum health as it can cause dental issues.
4. Make sure that your dog is drinking ample amounts of water.
Never forget to check your dog’s water intake. Dogs can survive a couple of days without food.
However, it only takes around 3 days for dogs to succumb to dehydration or aspiration pneumonia if they fail to drink enough water.
5. Administer prescription appetite stimulants to your dog.
If the other methods fail, you may want to consult the vet about giving your dog prescription appetite stimulants.
As its name implies, these medications are designed to enhance your dog’s appetite. Some of the well-known prescription canine appetite stimulants are Mirtazapine and Entyce.
If you want to go on the natural route, adding celery seeds, chamomile, or ginger to dog food is found to be effective. In this case, speak to a holistic vet before administering medicinal herbs to your pet.
Home Remedies for Sick Dog Not Eating
If your dog is sick and refuses to eat, here are some tips for you to bring back his appetite:
- If your sick dog is experiencing gastrointestinal upset, let him fast. This will help his digestive system rest and recuperate.
Fasting can last up to 12–24 hours or longer, depending on your dog’s size and age. It would be best to consult the vet first to choose the right duration for your dog.
- Dogs with fever and upset stomachs, are highly at risk of dehydration. Give your dog a small amount of water by letting him crunch on small-sized ice cubes.
But do not allow him to drink excessive amounts of water as it can trigger more vomiting. You can also mix a teaspoon of glucose monohydrate into his drinking water.
This helps prevent dehydration and gives your dog an extra energy boost. Glucose monohydrate can be bought at the local pet shop or online.
- Feed him bland food. Fatty food should be excluded as it can contribute to his stomach upset.
White rice or cooked pumpkins combined with boiled lean meat such as chicken or turkey is the most common recommended meal for sick dogs. You can also add a tablespoon of yoghurt as it can help soothe his digestive system.
- A dog not eating his meals can be coaxed into consuming them by hand-feeding. This process gives comfort to unwell dogs. Be patient as hand-feeding will take some time to accomplish.
Once your sick dog can eat the pieces of food from your hand, encourage him to eat from the bowl. Do not make hand-feeding a habit, as this can become troublesome for you and your dog.
Feed your dog his food in small amounts to prevent upsetting his stomach. Giving him 1–2 spoonfuls every hour is a good idea. You can increase the serving size gradually if he can ingest it without a problem.
If your dog refuses to eat or drink for 24 hours, take him to the vet without further delay.
- In rare instances, a dog not eating or drinking may need a feeding tube, this should only be done with the vet’s recommendation. Your vet will help you to choose the type of feeding tube and dog food to use.
Depending on your dog’s condition, the feeding tube may be hooked into his body from a couple of weeks to a few months. It should also be noted that even when your dog is already eating on his own, he must still use the feeding tube for 10–14 days.
The purpose is for the wound caused by the feeding tube to heal. Premature removal of the feeding tube can cause food leakage in his stomach.
