Is your dog not eating? Dogs usually love mealtime, so it can be distressing to see them leave their bowl untouched. There are many potential reasons your dog could have stopped eating, but some reasons are more common than others.
Read on to discover eight possible reasons why your dog has suddenly lost her appetite.
Your Dog Doesn’t Like Her Food
Some reasons why dogs refuse to eat are easy to fix, like their food has gone bad or they don’t like the flavor of their kibble anymore. In those situations, you can make sure the food is fresh (not expired) or swap it out with a different brand.
Your Dog is Adjusting to New Food
Some dogs are divas in that they are picky eaters. It happens! If you recently made a switch to your pup’s food, it may take her a few days to get on board, simply because she may be caught off-guard by its new smell or texture. After all, it’s not like she can complain to the chef.
Wet vs. Dry Dog Food: Which Should You Feed Your Dog?
Your Dog is Experiencing Medication Side Effects
New medications can also make dogs lose their appetites. Some drugs have nausea as a side effect. A new prescription diet might be to blame, too. They aren’t always the tastiest. If you think that’s the case for your dog, consult with your vet about next steps. Maybe you can switch to another medication or prescribed diet or use a tempting treat to get your pup to eat.
Your Dog is Feeling Anxious or Sad
Dogs are also emotional creatures. They may stop eating if they’re anxious or upset. Changes like a move to a new home, going to a boarding facility while you’re on vacation, a death in the family, or even kids returning to school can make a dog feel blue. It might also be that they can’t stand eating next to other dogs in the home, which you can solve by separating your dogs during meals.
Your Dog Ate a Foreign Object
“Dogs often stop eating when they’re in pain,” Brennan says. This discomfort may be because your baby girl ate something she shouldn’t have, like a toy, bone, or sock, which will definitely need to be checked out to prevent a bowel obstruction. Eating a foreign object is especially common in puppies. “We certainly do far more surgeries to remove foreign objects from young dogs than from old ones,” Brennan says.
Your Dog’s Teeth Hurt
If your dog avoids chewing hard kibble but drinks water, she might have mouth or dental pain, which gum disease, a broken tooth, or an abscess can cause. Your dog may also just have sensitive teeth. In addition to regular teeth brushing, many veterinarians also recommend occassional dental cleanings for dogs, which are performed under anesthesia.
How to Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean
Your Dog Has a Parasite
Ugh, the “p” word. No pet parent wants to find out their sweet girl has an unwelcome guest. Parasites, especially of the intestinal variety, can cause dogs to have upset stomachs and diarrhea, which can both dissuade dogs from eating.
Your Dog Has an Underlying Illness
Senior dogs especially are more likely to stop eating entirely due to an ongoing illness that’s worsened, Brennan says. This could be anything from kidney disease, to heart disease, to cancer. It’s important to have your best pal—young or old— examined by a vet to find out what’s causing the problem and the best way to treat it.
How to Stimulate a Dog’s Appetite
The go-to for getting dogs to eat is to make their chow super enticing. That also means scaling back on treats so your pooch is hungrier when it’s mealtime. Make kibble softer and more aromatic by adding warm water or salt-free broth. You can also try offering your dog canned food if she normally eats dry food or cook her favorite dog-safe human foods and give them in small amounts.
“However, if you haven’t found out what’s wrong and corrected it, you’re fighting a losing battle,” Brennan states. “You should see your veterinarian to find out what’s really going on and how to get your dog’s appetite back to normal.”
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