Why Isn’t My Dog Eating?

Usually your pooch has a hefty appetite, sometimes even begging for handouts. But when you start to notice your dog not eating, it can be really concerning. There’s a lot of different reasons your pup won’t eat, but it’s important to find out exactly why so you can get a treatment plan set quickly.

It’s also good to remember to be mindful about how you are judging or observing your dog’s diet. Guidelines on food bags are averages, so it’s normal if your dog only eats about 60-70% of the amount stated. But if this is abnormal for your dog, loss of appetite can indicate illness or distress.

Reasons For Appetite Loss

Just like humans, dogs have various reasons for not eating:

Sickness

Decreased appetite is often associated with illness, especially combined with other symptoms. Loss of appetite doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a serious illness, but taking your dog to the vet as soon as possible to rule out cancer, infection, pain, and kidney or liver failure.

Dental

Your pooch’s mouth might be the cause of them not wanting to eat. There’s nothing worse than eating with tooth or gum pain, so make sure to get them checked for oral problems like a loose or broken tooth, gingivitis, or tumors.

Vaccinations

Although it is rare, there are some adverse effects dogs can face due to getting vaccinated. This issue usually is brief, but can cause loss of appetite.

Traveling or Unfamiliar Situations

If your pup was eating healthy before a trip, new location, or move, then their loss of appetite may be caused by stress, nervousness, uncomfortability, or motion sickness.

Behavior & Pickiness

Some dogs are just more particular about what they eat, they could just not like the food you’re giving them! But this conclusion should usually be a last resort to rule out any potential illnesses.

Dogs are also sensitive to different situations. So if you’re feeding them in a space or situation they’re uncomfortable, feeling unsafe, or can’t easily access their food, then they may refuse to eat.

Loss of Appetite Treatment

It’s important to first figure out where the loss of appetite is coming from. Your dog’s vet will likely recommend a plan of action that includes a prescription diet or medicine if your dog is ill. If your dog is already ill they may not want to indulge in their new unsavory diet, so don’t force them to only eat this as they may just start to starve themselves.

If problems continue to arise, your vet will likely recommend syringe-feeding or a feeding tube. But if your dog isn’t eating due to their behavior or distress at mealtime, then you can try:

• Limiting treats
• Start a feeding schedule
• Incorporate playtime with feeding, like using a toy that dispenses food
• Try different food, ask for recommendations from your vet
• Use a splash of warm water on their dry food

You never want to see your pup in pain, and not eating can be an easy indicator of this! So if you are in doubt of what’s wrong with your dog, don’t hesitate to take them in for a check up.