Why is My Dog Not Eating?

Is your dog not eating? Occasional appetite loss for a day or two is not too much of a problem to worry about. However, if your dog stops eating for over 2 or 3 days, it may be an indication that he has stress or is suffering from some health problems. Read on and learn about the possible causes of dog loss of appetite.

Dogs usually love to eat and they seem hungry all the time. It is therefore natural for dog parents to get worried when they see their dog not eating their food.

There are lots of possible reasons why a dog is not eating. It may be due to the hot weather, the occasional stress that the dog may have, or he may simply not like the food he is eating, especially if he is a fussy eater.

If your dog stops eating for a couple of days, but is otherwise active and alert, there is probably nothing to worry about. Dogs are absolutely fine to go without food for one or two days. Sometimes, when a dog is feeling a bit under the weather, he will instinctively stop eating to give the digestive system a rest.

However, dog loss of appetite can also be a symptom of some underlying health problems. Be sure to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian if he is:

not eating for over two days
starting to lose weight
showing signs of weakness, lethargy, or depression

Below are some possible health problems that can result in a dog not eating.

Dog Not Eating - Possible Health Problems

Mouth or Throat Problems
Problems in the mouth (such as peridontal problems, tooth abscess, mouth tumors), or problems in the throat (such as pharyngitis) may result in a dog not eating because of pain. Sometimes, a dog stops eating because there is a foreign object stuck in the mouth or esophagus. If your dog is suddenly not eating, the first time to do is to check inside his mouth for any signs of dental problems, growths, or foreign objects caught in the mouth, tongue, gums, between the teeth, or in the throat.

Digestive Problems
Problems with the digestive system that result in diarrhea and vomiting can also cause a dog not eating. If your dog has diarrhea and stops eating, let him. In fact, it is a good idea to fast the dog for 24 hours even if he wants to eat! However, you should make sure that he has sufficient water intake to prevent dehydration.
Canine stomach ulcers can also bring about appetite loss in dogs. The classic symptom of stomach ulcers in dogs is chronic vomiting, even with an empty stomach. There may be blood in the vomit and the dog is usually lethargic and weak.
Another problem in the digestive system that may cause appetite loss in dogs is fecal impaction, which is a mass of hard stool that has got stuck in the rectum and colon. Other signs associated with this problem include constipation despite forceful straining, lethargy, bloating, and vomiting.

Infections
Bacterial or viral infections (such as distemper, coronavirus, leptospirosis) are possible causes of dog appetite loss because of fever as a result of the infectious diseases. Temporary appetite loss caused by infections is actually a good thing because the body can spend more energy for disease fighting instead of to food digestion.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritris causes dog appetite loss as well. This form of arthritis occurs primarily in toy breeds and other small breeds of dogs at about 4 years of age. Other symptoms associated with rheumatoid athritis include lameness and stiffness, swelling of the joints, and fever.

Other Diseases
Other diseases that can result in a dog not eating include diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, pancreatitis, kidney failure, liver failure, and some forms of cancer.

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Other Possible Causes of Dog Not Eating

Old Age
Just like people, dogs lose their appetite when they become older due to lower metabolism and a lack of exercise.

Stress
A dog may stop eating when he experiences stress (boarding at a kennel, moving to a new house, etc.). If you suspect stress is the cause of your dog not eating, spend more quality time with him. Take him out for long walks and play his favorite games at the park.

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My Dog Is Not Eating - What To Do?

For temporary dog appetite loss (and if the dog is active and alert), you may want to try some of the following to coax him to eat:

Warming the Food
Dogs love to eat foods with strong smells. Warming your dog's food can bring out the aroma and may wake up his appetite.

Adding Some Spices
Another way to add more aroma and flavor to your dog's food is to add spices to his food. Dogs usually like the tastes of dried herbs. Nutritious herbs such as parsley, alfalfa, dill, and fennel can be sprinkled on your dog's food to entice him to eat.

Changing the Food
Sometimes a dog may just be tired of eating the same food day in and day out! If your dog is not eating, try adding something new to his food. For example, try adding some boiled vegetables to his dry food.

Cutting Down On Snacks
Is your dog not eating his food because he eats a lot of snacks in between meals? If so, restricting the number of snacks or withholding snacks altogether for a while may make him eat more eagerly at mealtime.