Why Wont My Dog Eat: Understanding the Causes and Solutions
As a dog owner, seeing your dog suddenly lose interest in food can be concerning. While some dogs may occasionally skip a meal, persistent lack of appetite (known as anorexia in veterinary terms) could signal underlying issues. Dogs, like humans, might stop eating for a variety of reasons—ranging from behavioural changes to serious physiological conditions.
It’s never likely to be the food that’s causing a problem (I bet you’ve all changed the food a few times to get your dogs to eat)
Understanding the reasons why dogs stop eating is key to addressing the issue effectively. Here’s an in-depth look into the potential causes, along with possible solutions.
*This blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice but for educational purposes only*
1. Behavioural Problems
Stress and Anxiety
Dogs are sensitive creatures, and any disruption to their environment can trigger stress or anxiety, leading to changes in their eating habits. Common stressors include:
New environments: Moving to a new house or even rearranging furniture can cause temporary anxiety.
Loud noises: Thunderstorms, fireworks, or construction noises may make some dogs too anxious to eat. Even the sound of their own collar or tag on a bowl may be distressing.
Changes in routine: Dogs thrive on routine, and any alterations in feeding times, walks, or household dynamics (such as the addition of a new family member or pet) can result in decreased appetite.
Negative Associations with Eating
If a dog experiences pain or discomfort while eating, such as dental issues (discussed later), they may start associating mealtime with discomfort. Even if the physical problem is resolved, the learned behaviour can persist, leading to ongoing food aversion.
Solutions for Behavioural Issues:
Reduce stress: Create a calm feeding environment away from loud noises and distractions. If the dog is in a new home or surrounded by unfamiliar stimuli, give them time to adjust.
Routine consistency: Maintain a consistent feeding schedule and avoid sudden changes in your dog’s environment or daily routine.
Behavioural training: If anxiety or behavioural issues persist, consult a veterinarian or a trainer or dog behaviourist for targeted strategies.
How you’re feeding: If you feed from a bowl consider feeding from a flat surface so your dog is still able to see their surroundings whilst eating. Try feeding facing into a room instead of facing a wall so your dog is able to see what is going on around them.
2. Physiological Reasons
Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues
Digestive problems are among the most common reasons for a dog’s refusal to eat. GI issues could range from mild stomach upset to more severe conditions like gastritis, pancreatitis, or intestinal blockages. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy often accompany GI problems.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Dogs with IBD may suffer from chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, causing discomfort during and after eating.
Foreign Body Ingestion: If a dog swallows something that causes a blockage in their intestines, it may result in severe pain and loss of appetite.
Dogs may also typically refuse food in the morning because they have gone too long before meals and are experiencing pain similar to indigestion or heart burn in humans.
Dental Problems
Oral health is crucial to a dog’s ability to eat comfortably. If a dog suffers from tooth decay, gingivitis, or oral infections, they may find it painful to chew their food. Signs include excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or reluctance to chew hard foods.
Illness or Disease
Many underlying health conditions can lead to anorexia in dogs, including:
Kidney disease: Often marked by nausea and vomiting, kidney disease is a common cause of appetite loss mainly in older dogs but can be seen in younger dogs as well when there’s a genetic predisposition.
Liver disease: Liver problems can affect digestion and appetite, sometimes accompanied by jaundice or lethargy.
Cancer: Dogs suffering from cancer, particularly those with tumours affecting the digestive system, may show significant appetite changes.
Diabetes: Dogs with diabetes may experience fluctuations in appetite due to unstable blood sugar levels.
Pain or arthritis: Chronic pain from arthritis or other injuries may cause a dog to refuse food simply because they’re too uncomfortable to eat.
3. Medications and Vaccinations
Some medications, especially antibiotics, steroids, or pain relievers, can cause gastrointestinal upset or reduce appetite. Similarly, some dogs might feel temporarily unwell after vaccinations, leading to short-term appetite loss.
Solutions for Physiological Causes:
Veterinary checkup: If your dog’s appetite loss persists for more than 24-48 hours or is accompanied by other symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy), a veterinary consultation is crucial to rule out any serious health conditions.
Dental care: Regularly check your dog’s teeth and gums for signs of decay or infection. Brushing their teeth and providing dental treats can help maintain oral health, while professional cleaning may be necessary for severe issues.
Dietary modifications: For dogs with digestive or metabolic disorders (like kidney or liver disease), your vet may recommend a specialised or anti-nausea medication to help stimulate appetite
Feeding Times: Keep feeds no more than 10 hours apart, this might mean feeding breakfast earlier and giving a snack between 9-10pm at night.
4. Food-Related Issues
Spoiled or Stale Food
Dogs have a keen sense of smell, and they can detect if their food has gone bad even if it looks fine to us. Food that has been improperly stored, exposed to moisture, or left out for too long can lose its freshness, leading to refusal.
Low Palatability
Not all dog foods are created equal, and some may simply not taste good to your dog. Certain prescription diets that are lower in fat may be less palatable to some dogs
Solutions for Food-Related Issues:
Check food freshness: Ensure the food is stored in a cool, dry place and used within its expiration date. Avoid leaving food out for extended periods.
Increase palatability: Warming food through with warm broth or water can help increase palatability as the majority of dog’s taste buds are located in their noses. If feeding a cooked food you can heat through in a pan
5. Age-Related Factors
Senior Dogs
As dogs age, their metabolism slows down, and they may require fewer calories, leading to a natural decline in appetite. However, senior dogs are also more prone to chronic illnesses (like arthritis, dental disease, cancer or organ failure) that could impact their eating habits.
Puppy Anorexia
Young puppies may refuse food due to teething, digestive upset, or an aversion to new foods. Additionally, puppies may struggle with portion sizes, overeating at one meal and then refusing food later.
Solutions for Age-Related Issues:
Senior diet: Offer senior dogs a diet formulated for their age and health needs. These foods are typically easier to digest and more palatable.
Puppy feeding schedule: Puppies should be fed smaller, more frequent meals to accommodate their growing bodies and developing digestive systems. If you are worried about your puppies nutrition you can join the canine code for a puppy nutrition guide
Conclusion
There are a variety of reasons why dogs might stop eating, from behavioural factors to serious medical conditions. If your dog skips a meal or two but shows no other concerning signs, it may be a temporary issue. However, if the refusal to eat continues or is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or signs of pain, it’s important to seek veterinary care to rule out any underlying problems.
Whether the solution involves dietary changes, medical treatment, or behaviour modification, addressing your dog’s specific needs can help get them back on track to a healthy, balanced diet. Join The Canine Code now for the “fussy eater guide” or book in a zoom consult with The Canine Dietitian to come up with a plan.