Eating is probably one of your dog’s favorite things to do, so it can be disconcerting if they suddenly refuse to eat. While this can be a sign of illness, there are many other reasons your dog could be turning their nose up at food, such as behavioral or environmental factors.
Continue reading to discover the most common reasons for your dog’s refusal to eat, along with the symptoms of each. Learn when you should start to worry about this behavior and your options for addressing it.
1. Medical Problems Can Make Eating Less Appealing
Dental disease is the most common health problem in dogs. It can be caused by a number of factors, including plaque and tartar buildup, tooth decay, gum disease, and injury to the mouth. Dental disease can cause a dog to be in pain, affecting their eating ability. A dog’s teeth are essential for chewing and breaking down food. If the teeth are not in good condition, they may not be able to chew or break down food properly, leading to dental disease.
Nausea is a common side effect of many medications. Dogs can have different reactions to feeling nauseous. Some may refuse to eat, while others will not be able to keep anything down. The best thing that you can do is to take your dog to the vet and get them checked out.
It is possible that your dog may have an infection. Infections can cause the mouth to be sore and make it difficult for the dog to eat. The most common infections that will stop a dog from eating are dental infections, stomach problems, and kidney disease.
Other medical reasons for a loss of appetite include intestinal parasites, fever, inflammatory bowel disease, congestive heart failure, and cancer.
2. Stress or Anxiety Can Discourage Eating
Dogs are creatures of habit and like their life to stay the same. When something disrupts their routine, they may feel anxious or fearful of what is happening in their surroundings. Dogs also react differently when they are in a new environment. They may feel more uneasy if there are unfamiliar smells, sights, sounds, and people around them. If a routine changes, they may stop eating or start acting out.
Dogs are very sensitive to our emotions; if you are stressed or anxious, your dog will pick up on it. This is because dogs have a better sense of smell than humans. They can also pick up on your body language, making them anxious. A dog’s natural response to anxiety is to stop eating and other behaviors that might cause stress for the animal.
If stress or anxiety is why your dog has stopped eating, the behavior should only last for a day or two while adjusting. If your dog does not start eating after a couple of days, you’ll need to book an appointment with your vet to check if any medical treatment is required.
3. The Problem Could Be the Food Itself
When your dog refuses to eat one specific type of food, it’s a good sign that you have a fussy eater on your hands, and nothing is seriously wrong with them.
Dogs often develop into picky eaters if given too many treats or a large number of table scraps. This behavior can also develop in dogs fed on an irregular schedule at varying times. Still, some dogs are fussy eaters regardless of what their owners do.
Puppies may be particularly susceptible to picking issues with their food. At this age, it’s a good idea to experiment with different types of food to find out what they do and don’t like. This way, you can find out which foods, textures, and smells are the most appealing to your dog.
Identify Why Your Dog Isn’t Eating
If your dog refuses to eat for more than two days, you must take the problem seriously and examine the cause of this behavior.
Begin by observing your dog; try different types of food to see if it is one item in particular that they are refusing to eat. Pay attention to other elements of their behavior; is anything different from usual? Is their routine the same, are they still engaged in play sessions? Are they as active as usual? And check for any signs of illness, such as lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The next step is to check your dog’s teeth, mouth, and body. Start by observing the teeth and gums. Can you see any inflammation or breakages? Also, check their skin and fur for any signs of parasites, lumps, or injuries. If you suspect your dog has developed a medical condition preventing them from eating, don’t hesitate to call your vet.
Check the food itself to ensure it is still in date and smells fresh; if the food seems spoiled, get rid of it, and try a new packet of food. Also, check the surrounding environment; is there anything your dog could have eaten that has upset their stomach? For example, a houseplant or human food item.
Tips for Helping Your Dog Eat Again
If your dog’s refusal to eat is caused by illness, you’ll need to talk to your vet, who can recommend a prescription diet along with treatment to address the underlying cause. If food refusal is behavior-based, there are some tricks you can try to encourage your dog to start eating again:
- Reduce the number of treats you give to your dog.
- Change the feeding behaviors; if you usually feed your dog alongside other pets, try feeding them alone. Also, try swapping their bowls for plates or placing them at different heights.
- Keep their schedule consistent; feed them at the same time each day (twice daily feeds work well for most adult dogs).
- Make mealtimes fun by introducing a new toy that dispenses food or use food as a reward when your dog performs a treat.
- Take your dog for a walk before mealtime so that they can work up an appetite.
With some experimentation, you can get closer to identifying why your dog won’t eat and how to address it. If you ever have concerns regarding your pet’s health, consult their vet.
