If your dog suddenly stops eating, there can be a variety of reasons: from medical factors to stress and tiredness with treats. Now it is important to clarify whether there is a medical cause or whether your furry friend just lost interest in the food for a short time. We tell you how you can stimulate your dog’s appetite again.
My dog is not eating – should I be worried?
There are various reasons why your four-legged friend refuses his food. A possible cause can be upbringing: Too much variety in the bowl simply makes Bello choosy. If your fur nose now and then puts off a meal, but otherwise eats normally, you don’t have to worry about that. After all, it’s similar with us humans: We don’t always have the same appetite and sometimes the evening meal just tasted better for us a few days ago.
But there are also reasons that the veterinarian will clarify should. If your four-legged friend has not eaten for two to three days, a visit to the doc is due. This is all the more true when there are other side effects such as diarrhoea, vomiting, exhaustion and sleepiness.
Possible reasons why your dog is not eating Stress upsets your stomach As with us humans, stress can lead to a loss of appetite. Have you recently moved? Have new people or animals moved into your home? Do you travel a lot? Or were you on holiday alone or with your four-legged friend? If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, stress could be the cause of the lack of appetite.
Teeth problems and pain when chewing Dog teeth problems can lead to pain – and it’s really nasty when chewing. Inflammation in the teeth or gums very often leads to a loss of appetite. Puppies that are going through a change of teeth are particularly vulnerable and downright spurn their food during this time. Help from the vet is required here, because puppies in particular need more rather than less food.
Illness, exhaustion, excessive sleep? Diseases can also trigger a loss of appetite. Have you noticed any other changes in your dog? For example, does he sleep a lot or does he seem listless? If you notice any such changes, you should have your pet checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Digestive problems – diarrhea, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems? Digestive problems can also lead to your four-legged friend refusing his food. Problems peeing or defecation indicate a digestive disorder. The typical grass eating also speaks for problems in the gastrointestinal tract. So off to the vet!
Loss of appetite due to frequent food changes Frequent food changes can lead to your dog suffering from a the food does not taste good or no longer tastes good and he therefore refuses it. Try to avoid frequent changes and always take your own food with you when you visit or go on vacation.
Better alternatives: treats, leftovers, chewing bones
Do you often give your dog treats, chewing bones or particularly fine leftovers? off the table? Then maybe your four-legged friend is simply waiting for a better supply of food. Why eat the despicable food when mum or dad will come around the corner with a pig’s ear anyway? Even! If such a clever little fellow lives in your home, one rule will help: First the food, then the goodies! Always feed treats and co. after feeding or only as a special reward.
Age of your fur nose – puppy, puberty, senior Is your dog going through puberty and trying to test you? Do you have a puppy that is currently going through a change of teeth and is therefore eating less? Or is your paw friend already senior and doesn’t need as much food anymore? Yes, age also decides which feeding habits your four-legged friend has at the moment. You can find special food for every age on the market.
Recent vaccination Fortunately there are vaccinations for many serious ones and contagious canine diseases. Although these injections have saved the lives of millions of pets in the last 100 years, sometimes they have undesirable effects. Most of these are minor and brief, including a temporary loss of appetite in dogs.
Psychological causes – separation anxiety Eats Your dog not when he’s home alone? One reason could be separation anxiety. Keep an eye on your dog’s behavior. If your furry friend freaks out when left alone, you may want to research separation anxiety treatment options. One possibility would be to give our natural and gentle tranquilizers.
Of course it can also be the case that your dog is simply not used to eating when he is home alone – or he is a bit sorry when you’re gone.
5 steps to find out why your dog won’t eat
Step 1 – Observe your dog’s behavior First you should observe your dog’s behavior to check if your dog is not eating or certain types of food wants to eat.
Check if your dog is behaving normally or if there are any changes in the daily routine. Also, keep an eye on your dog’s bowel movements and urine. If your dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, is lethargic, and dehydrated, talk to a veterinarian. If you suspect any changes in your dog’s behavior, don’t hesitate to see a veterinarian. This way, you can clarify a possible problem and get help in no time.
If, in addition to a reduced appetite, your dog also hides, sleeps all day or loses interest in play and other usual activities, it can this may be a sign of canine depression.
Step 2 – Check your dog’s teeth and body Broken , loose or bad teeth or inflamed gums can all be a reason why your dog is not eating. Examine your dog’s body, looking for parasites, changes in the coat and skin, as well as lumps or injuries. If you find anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call a veterinarian.
Step 3 – Check for food problems Check your dog’s food. Maybe you accidentally gave him the wrong food. Make sure there are no problems with the feed. Check the label for the expiration date, check the color and smell. If you suspect the food has gone bad, dispose of it immediately and offer your dog something else.
Step 4 – Check the area If your dog has stopped eating, it could be because he has ingested something harmful. Check your houseplants, carpets, your dog’s toys, and any items your four-legged friend has access to. Be especially careful when medication or chemicals are within your dog’s reach. If anything is missing and your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, you should see a veterinarian immediately.
If your puppy or a recently moved dog won’t eat, it may be because of the new environment. Ditto if you’ve recently moved.
Step 5 – Review your actions Have your dog given lots of treats or leftovers? If so, that may explain the lack of appetite. Or maybe your dog is just waiting for something tasty – like pieces of your dinner or dog treats.
Tips for stimulating appetite: How to get your dog eating again
No medical problems? Then these tips can help to revive the bowl love:
Put the bowl in another place: If you previously fed in the kitchen, place the bowl in the hallway or in the bathroom. Sometimes dogs no longer feel comfortable in the familiar place. Test out a new bowl: Je Depending on the nature and material, food sounds different in certain bowls or the floor reflects it. This can be unsettling or even frightening. Try out a new bowl to give your dog a sense of security. Limit the food availability: Let Give your dog enough time to eat, but put the bowl away again after ten minutes. In this way, your dog learns that you determine when the dinner takes place – and whoops the food becomes more attractive again. No Treats: If your dog refuses his food, there should be no treats, let alone sweets from the table. Who wants cauliflower when you can have a pig’s ear? Try new food: If If you’ve been using the same type of dog food for a long time, switching can increase your dog’s appetite. As already said, you shouldn’t change too often! Gassi makes you hungry: Plan ahead take a long walk with a game or training session after feeding. Exercise is a good appetite stimulant as it boosts metabolism. You can also integrate feeding into training as a reward. Warm up the food: Heat up the contents of the bowl by adding a dash of warm water to the bowl or putting it in the microwave for a moment. This makes the smell of the food more intense and therefore more attractive for your dog. Attention: The lining must only be warm, not hot! Brewer’s yeast tabs : Brewer’s yeast boosts the digestion of your four-legged friend and is a great appetite stimulant. Lack of appetite – when to the vet?
There are many possible reasons why your dog does not want to eat his food. It is important to pay attention to whether there could be a medical reason. If your dog is still not eating after three days, you should go straight to the vet. If your dog does not drink anything either, please go directly to the doctor in any case. Depending on the time of year and temperature, dehydration can be reached quickly and is very dangerous.
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