Why the dog does not eat and what to do about it

Lately your dog doesn’t want to eat and you don’t know what to do about it. You ask yourself what happened and how to deal with it. Read this article to find out why your pet won’t eat and how to help him.

Stress

Temporary refusal to eat can be caused by stressful situations and changes in the environment. Has anything changed in your pet’s life lately? It could be a significant event. For example, moving to a new home or starting to attend classes or dog shows. The reason for this may be insignificant – for example, the departure of one of the family members for the weekend. Such changes in a pet’s life can disrupt its eating habits. Stressful situations and changes in the environment can cause great anxiety, but they are usually temporary. If the refusal to eat lasts too long or the dog shows other signs of stress and anxiety, such as urinating around the house or damaging furniture, contact your veterinarian.

Feed change

The reason for refusal to eat may be a change in food. Just like humans, animals have food preferences. Sometimes a dog won’t eat anything simply because he’s boycotting food, especially if you’ve recently changed flavors or brands. Do not rule out the possibility that the food you give your pet has gone bad. Be sure to check the expiration date on the package. If your dog is a picky eater, here are some tips to help you.

Disease

Loss of appetite can be a serious symptom that something is wrong with your pet’s health. Your dog may have dental problems that make it hard to chew and swallow. Medical problems can range from infection to liver failure or even cancer. If your dog is not eating due to illness, make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.

In addition to not eating, look for other signs that may indicate health problems. If your four-legged friend has diarrhea or, on the contrary, has no stool for a couple of days, he may have an upset gastrointestinal tract. If the dog is not eating and is lethargic, it could be a symptom of a health problem. If the pet is active and joyful, this usually indicates that he is healthy. Perhaps he just does not like what he is fed. It is important to remember that not eating, combined with other signs, can be a symptom of a health problem. In this case, you should take your dog to a veterinarian for a checkup.

Be sure to check if your pet is drinking water. If your dog is not eating or drinking, call your veterinarian immediately. Dogs should not go a day without drinking water.

Another potential reason why a dog does not eat food is medication. Medications and vaccinations help keep your dog healthy, but they can sometimes cause side effects. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the pet after taking the medicine and call a veterinarian if the loss of appetite persists for more than 24 hours.

How to make a dog eat

If you were able to determine why the dog did not eat, consider that half the battle is done. Fixing the underlying problem can get your pet back on a healthy diet. If the problem persists, take a few steps to get your dog back to eating. First, do not feed her leftovers from the table or treats in excess of the norm. Healthy eating starts with regular meals, not snacking at odd times.

Second, changing the dog’s feeding routine can help. For example, if your furry friend is suffering from anxiety, you should feed him away from other animals. If your dog is bored eating, make dinner time more fun by using a puzzle or food dispenser toy.

Finally, if you haven’t figured out how to get your dog to eat healthy food, your best bet is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Fasting too long can lead to exhaustion or dehydration. The specialist will help determine the cause of the loss of appetite in the dog and tell you how to get him to eat again.