My Dog Is Not Eating, Why?

Many dog owners have this concern and ask us frequently “my dog is not eating, can you tell why?” People are usually accustomed to dogs eating down foods as fast as possible and then looking for some more. So,  when their pets stop eating or don’t eat food at all, they get upset and worried.

This lack of appetite is called inappetence or anorexia. It simply means that the dog has no appetite and won’t eat. There could be some other reasons for your dog not eating its food but most commonly it is this reason. Usually, the dog starts eating again after it skips a meal or two.

Reasons why your dog might not be eating its food:

If there is any change in the routine of the dog, it might stop eating. For example, if you change the feeding time of your dog, the time to go for a walk or potty, etc. it can mess up their routine and your dog might stop eating.

Sometimes taking your dog on vacation and back or moving to a new house can also cause the dog to skip its meals. Dogs are creatures of habit and like to stick to a routine. So, make sure to stick to a dog’s set routine and if you really want to change it, then do it gradually.

Gastrointestinal issue (might be temporary)

Dogs are usually known to be carnivores, however, that doesn’t stop them from eating whatever junk or garbage they find lying around the house or outside the house. Pet dogs get into the habit of stealing human foods from the counter, table, leftovers in the fridge, or from the trash.

Some dogs eat poop too. Do not let strangers offer treats to your dog in the park or somewhere else. It might mess up their digestive system.

It can cause your dog to have a temporary gastrointestinal issue. The common signs are vomiting and diarrhea. So if your dog is vomiting you can assume some gastrointestinal issue.

During this period, your dog won’t be eating much either. If there is blood in the stool, take your dog to the vet immediately for a thorough checkup. Just make sure that your dog does not get dehydrated.

Behavioral issues

It is possible that your dog not eating has nothing to do with any physical issue. A dog might react to a new change in the house that it doesn’t like. For example, a new pet or member that the dog is not fond of. To get your attention, your dog might stop eating.

Another reason could be that your other pet not letting your dog eat or your pet dog is scared to eat in the presence of another pet. The best way to counter this issue is to feed them in different rooms for a while.

Taste

You might not agree but some dogs would stop eating if you do not give them food that they like. Remember that dogs are not picky eaters, it is us who make them that way. We spoil them with tasty treats and cringe when they do not eat normal food. Do not feed your dog at different time intervals like just before their meal. Set up a routine for feeding your dog and stick to it. Do not overfeed as well.

Changing dog food more frequently is one of the main reasons why some dogs stop eating. If you feed them homemade food and they seem to like it, then stick to it.

If your dog is accustomed to branded dog food then stick to it. If you want to change your dog food then do it gradually. Remember, the more you change dog foods, the likelihood of them suffering from gastrointestinal issues is higher.

There are some of the major common reasons why your dog won’t eat. Apart from this, any kind of medical condition can also cause your dog to not eat. If your dog isn’t eating for over 24 hours, then take them to a vet for a thorough checkup.  It is always better to get your dog tested and looked at by a vet.