Dog Not Eating? Here’s What Causes Loss of Appetite in Dogs
A dog that stops eating is most often dealing with something short-term, such as stress, a change in routine, a new food, a recent vaccine or a mild stomach upset. But loss of appetite can also be a sign of illness, dental pain or a reaction to medication. If your adult dog skips meals for more than a day, or a puppy skips more than a meal or two, or your dog also has vomiting, diarrhea or low energy, call your vet.
It can be alarming when your dog isn't as hungry as usual, especially if they normally have a strong appetite. Below we cover the signs of appetite loss, the most common reasons dogs won't eat, when it's an emergency, and what you can do at home to help.
Call your vet right away if your dog is not eating and
- is a young puppy, a toy breed, a senior or has a medical condition
- is vomiting, has diarrhea or blood in the stool
- is very tired, weak, or hiding
- has a swollen or painful belly, or is trying to vomit without bringing anything up
- is drinking much more or much less than usual
- might have eaten something toxic or a toy or bone
- hasn't eaten in more than 24 hours (adult dog)
Symptoms of Loss of Appetite in Dogs
Sometimes it's obvious: your dog refuses to eat anything. Other times it takes some detective work. Signs your dog's appetite has dropped include:
- Eating less than normal or not finishing meals
- Not eating at all
- Not interested in treats or favorite foods
- Weight loss
- Lethargy or less activity
- Depressed or unusual behavior
Vets sometimes separate a dog that can't eat (for example, because of mouth pain) from a dog that won't eat. Watching whether your dog approaches the bowl, sniffs and walks away, or tries to eat and stops can give your vet useful clues.
Before we go further, a quick note on fuel: if your dog needs more strength and energy from the bowl, a meat-based, high-protein food is the simplest place to start.
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Top Reasons Your Dog Won't Eat
Illness
Illness is one of the most common reasons a dog isn't hungry. Just as a cold or fever can kill your appetite, the same is true for dogs. Causes range from a mild stomach upset to infections, pancreatitis, kidney or liver disease and other serious problems.
Keep a close eye out for other symptoms, such as:
- Changes in behavior
- Stiffness or trouble walking or climbing stairs
- Excessive sleeping
- Coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea, vomiting or an upset stomach
- Red or cloudy eyes
If your dog shows signs of illness, do the safe thing and take them to the vet.
Medication
Has your dog started a new medication? Antibiotics and other prescriptions can cause stomach upset and loss of appetite. Sometimes it just takes a couple of days to adjust. Ask your vet whether the medicine should be given with food. If your dog's appetite doesn't bounce back in a few days, call your vet before you stop or change any medication.
Dental Problems
A broken tooth, gum disease or a sore mouth can make chewing painful. Signs include dropping food, chewing on one side, drooling, bad breath or pawing at the mouth. You can look in your dog's mouth, but many problems are hard to spot, so have your vet check if your dog's appetite doesn't improve in a day or two.
Recent Vaccination
It's not uncommon for dogs to eat less for a day or so after vaccines. These side effects are usually mild and short. Call your vet if your dog seems very unwell, has facial swelling or hives, or isn't back to normal within a couple of days.
Travel and Unfamiliar Surroundings
New places can stress dogs out. If you've just moved, boarded your dog or traveled, that could explain why your dog won't eat. Some dogs also get motion sick on long car rides. Cracking the windows a few inches and avoiding a big meal right before the trip can help. Ask your vet about motion sickness options rather than giving any medicine on your own.
In a new place, keep routines familiar and give your dog a quiet spot to eat. As long as the appetite loss is brief, most dogs return to normal quickly.
Absence of Owner
Does your dog only refuse to eat when you're gone? Some dogs simply prefer to eat with their people around, and some have separation anxiety. Leave your pet sitter with something extra tasty to offer. As long as your dog eats normally when you're home, this usually isn't a worry.
A topper is a simple way to make a regular meal more tempting. Crumbling freeze-dried raw beef over the bowl adds real meat and extra protein without changing your dog's main food.
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Add real beef, extra protein, and nutrients to any meal. Serve it as a topper, treat, or rehydrated meal.
If your dog goes more than a day or two without eating, contact your vet. If anxiety is the cause, your vet can talk with you about treatment options. See our guide to separation anxiety in dogs.
Picky Eating and Behavior
Some dogs are just fussy. Others learn that skipping their kibble brings table scraps or treats instead. Unfamiliar dogs or people at mealtime, or a busy, noisy feeding spot, can also put a dog off food. Rule out medical causes before you assume the problem is behavior.
Time of Day
Some dogs prefer to eat at certain times. That's normal. Try feeding at a different time and see if your dog eats better. A consistent dog feeding schedule usually helps most.
Food Preferences or a Recent Food Change
Have you recently switched foods? Your dog may simply not like the new one, or the switch may have been too fast. Manufacturers also change recipes from time to time. Check the bag's date and smell the food: stale or rancid food can put dogs off.
When you change foods, do it gradually over 7-14 days. Each day, add a little more of the new food and reduce the old food by the same amount.
Old Age
Appetite often decreases slowly with age, especially if a dog is less active. Older dogs may also have a weaker sense of smell and taste. Warming the food, adding water or a topper, and keeping your dog active can help. A sudden drop in appetite in a senior dog should always be checked by a vet. See our guide to the best senior dog food.
Dog Not Eating but Drinking Water
A dog that skips food but still drinks is often dealing with a mild stomach upset, stress or a food it doesn't like, and is usually less urgent than a dog that refuses both. Still, it can also be an early sign of illness. If your dog is drinking much more than normal, that is a reason to see your vet, because increased thirst can be linked to conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes. A dog that stops drinking, or can't keep water down, needs a vet the same day.
What to Do When Your Dog Is Not Eating
Knowing why your dog won't eat tells you how to address it. If the appetite loss is brief and your dog has no other signs of illness, it's probably nothing to worry about. If it's been more than a day for an adult dog, or your dog has any of the warning signs above, call your vet to rule out a more serious problem.
If Your Dog Is Sick
Take your dog in to get checked out. Your vet may prescribe a special diet while your dog recovers, or medication to help with nausea or appetite. Some dogs don't like prescription diets. If that's the case, tell your vet rather than switching foods on your own. While you wait for your appointment, you can try:
- Warming the food slightly to make it smell stronger
- Hand feeding
- Adding a little warm water or low-sodium, onion-free broth
- Offering plain cooked rice with a bit of plain cooked chicken, if your vet says it's okay
If It's a Behavior Issue
If your vet has ruled out illness, these habits help most fussy eaters:
- Feed at the same times every day. Two meals a day suits most adult dogs.
- Put the bowl down for about 15-20 minutes, then pick it up until the next meal.
- Cut back on treats and table scraps so your dog arrives hungry.
- Exercise before meals to build an appetite.
- Feed in a quiet spot, away from other pets.
- Use part of the meal for training. Many dogs eat more when they work for it.
- Try a more tempting food or topper, such as a wet dog food or freeze-dried raw.
If your dog has lost weight from eating too little, our guide on how to fatten up a dog explains how to get it back safely.
Dog Loss of Appetite: FAQ
How long can a dog go without eating?
Healthy adult dogs can skip a meal or two without harm, but you shouldn't wait it out. Call your vet if an adult dog hasn't eaten in 24 hours, or sooner for puppies, small breeds, seniors, dogs with health conditions, or any dog with other symptoms.
Why is my dog not eating but acting normal?
Common reasons include a recent food change, too many treats, hot weather, stress, or simply not being hungry. If your dog is otherwise normal, monitor them for a day. If the appetite doesn't return, call your vet.
What can I give my dog to stimulate appetite?
At home, try warming the food, adding warm water, broth with no onion or garlic, or a meaty topper, and hand feeding. Prescription appetite stimulants are available only from your vet, who will check for an underlying cause first.
Should I switch my dog's food if they won't eat?
Not until your vet rules out illness. If your dog is healthy but picky, switch gradually to a food with real meat first and a taste your dog likes, so you don't trade one problem for an upset stomach.
Try a Tastier, Calorie-Dense Food
There are a lot of reasons dogs lose their appetite. If your dog stops eating for a day but quickly goes back to normal, it's usually nothing to worry about. Stay calm but watchful, and call your vet if the appetite doesn't return or other symptoms appear.
If you decide to try a new food, a calorie-dense recipe helps a dog with a small appetite get more nutrition from every bite. Remember to switch gradually over one to two weeks.
TRY BULLY MAX 30/20 HIGH-PROTEIN DOG FOOD
Fuel strength and energy with meat-based nutrition, 30% protein, 20% fat, and 535 calories per cup.
Bully Max 30/20 High Protein dog food is meat-based with 535 calories per cup, so dogs with small appetites get more from every bowl. For an extra-tempting meal, try 26/12 Instant Wet Dog Food: just add water for a wet food with real chicken first. In our customer survey, a picky eater that finally eats is one of the most common reasons owners give for choosing Bully Max.
18 comments
I’ve tried everything, please help.
I’m in the process of trying different food as I’ve got 4 dogs two whom won’t eat and I’m concerned I’m trying different foods but there hooked on treats not sure what to do
Am a new mom to a puppy .can’t get her not to due nothing at all .this kinda helps
we recently moved to a new apartment and my dog started to lose weight very fast within 3 weeks she has lost over half of her body weight, we took her to a vet and they ran a blood panel, and took x rays, her tests came back and she had no cancer, no parvo, everything came back good only showing an irratied stomach,we took her outside and she passed worm eggs we called the vet and asked could she have worms the vet said I never thought of that , so I went to tractor supply and bought wormer aand gave it to her she has passed worms and eggs, she looked better acted better I bought Bully Max kibble and Bully Max supplement and she will not eat it she is an American Staffordshire terrior/ American bully mix we fed her hills science diet she use to eat anything , and everything she is an emotional support dog she means everything to us
My dog stopped eating hard food and only canned meat should I take him to his vet? But he doesn’t eat alot of it he was as put on medication for losing hair would that have some thing to do with this he doesn’t seem to be ill