5 Potential Reasons Your Dog Isn't Eating and What to Do About It

Most pet parents don't need to worry about dogs not wanting food. Most of the time, our dogs are quite happy to see their meal being put down and will happily accept a tasty treat, although some dogs can be pickier eaters than others. If you've got or have ever had a puppy, you'll know that they can eat like they haven't been fed for days, even if they only had their last meal that morning, and most adult dogs will have a wagging tail when they realise that it's mealtime. However, there are times when a dog might go off his food no matter how excited he normally gets for dinner time. The reasons can vary depending on the dog, but it tends to be caused by some common reasons. 

As a pet parent, you're never going to be happy if you feel that something is causing your dog to go off her food, so getting to the bottom of it is important. Here are some of the main reasons why your dog might have lost his appetite. 

Illness:

Just like humans, dogs who aren't feeling very well might not be too enthusiastic about eating a meal. There are various types of health conditions and illnesses that can lead to a dog losing his appetite, from viral and bacterial infections and urinary tract infections to more serious problems like pancreatitis, kidney failure, and even cancer. If your dog isn't interested in their food all of a sudden and this has been going on for a couple of days, it's worth taking them to be checked by your vet. This is especially true if they are also not drinking very much water as this is a common sign that something is wrong. Bear in mind that while many causes of appetite loss can be treated at home, it's always best to get the opinion of your vet who can prescribe medication to treat the underlying cause if needed. 

Injury:

If your dog has been injured, this could also be a reason why he isn't as interested in his food as he once was. This could be due to the type of injury that he has sustained, the intensity of the pain, or any medications that they have been given for pain. Some dogs can exhibit symptoms of depression when they are injured or in pain, which can also lead to a loss of appetite. This is particularly common in dogs who have been injured in a way that is preventing them from being active and doing the things that they usually enjoy. Tasty, high value treats and tantalizing food can help your injured dog work up more of an appetite and show some interest in their food. Check out these tips for dog not eating from Bella & Duke at https://www.bellaandduke.com/guide/dog-not-eating-8-methods-to-try/ and try some of the methods to see if they make a difference with your dog. Bella and Duke sell a wide range of appealing raw food meals and natural treats that your dog will find hard to resist. 

Eating Something They Shouldn't:

Most pet parents have had or known a dog who'll happily eat anything. But sadly, this can often lead to them eating something that they definitely shouldn't be putting in their mouth. And a loss of appetite in your dog can be caused by the stomach upset that occurs as a result of them chewing something that they found while exploring or foraging that wasn't very good for them. It can also be a result of getting into human foods that are unsafe for them to eat, so don't leave items like chocolate around where your dog could potentially get to them. Dogs will often happily eat anything that smells appealing to them and they can't tell the difference between something that's OK for them to eat and something that's poisonous. So as a responsible pet parent, it's important that you keep your dog away from tempting foods that are going to end up making them sick. 

Stress:

Even the most laid-back and happy-go-lucky dogs can get stressed from time to time and suffering from stress can cause a dog to lose their appetite, much like in humans. Dogs tend to react stressfully to sudden changes in their surroundings because they like to be used to everything in their environment. Changes such as moving house, getting a new dog or another pet, or adding a new human family member to the family dynamic can all be massively stressful for the dog, which could lead to problems eating as they try to adjust to the changes and feel at ease once again. If you are planning a significant change that might cause your dog to react stressfully, it's important to gradually get them used to the changes. For example, if you are expecting a baby, start a few months before your due date to get your dog used to some of the new items that are going to be around the house and training your dog to stay out of the room that will belong to the baby once they arrive. You can also help them adjust to their future new surroundings by inviting family and friends with small children around so that your dog can get used to them. 

Aging:

If your dog is getting on in life, it's likely that you're going to see some differences in her eating habits. Just like humans, an older dog may go through some physical changes and experience health conditions that can have an impact on your dog's appetite. An older dog may get less exercise since they are less active, meaning that they burn off less energy and will naturally need to eat less than they once did. Feeding your older dog less might be a simple solution to try if they are not eating as much as they used to - they simply may no longer need meals of that size anymore. In addition, it can also be helpful to switch to a food that is specially formulated for senior and more sedentary dogs. 

What to Do if Your Dog is Off Their Food:

In most cases, a loss of appetite in dogs will be caused by them eating something dodgy and will usually pass with the stomach upset. However, if you suspect that your dog has eaten something that is dangerous for them such as chocolate, it's important to take them to the vet as a matter of urgency. If your dog's appetite loss lasts for longer than a couple of days and you've noticed that they're also drinking less water than usual, this could be a sign of an underlying health condition and you should get veterinary attention as soon as possible in order to determine the root cause and provide your dog with the appropriate treatment. If you know why your dog is off their food, you can gently encourage them to eat more by feeding little and often and offering appealing foods that smell too good to resist. 

Most dogs are happy to wolf down everything that you put in front of them so a loss of appetite can come as a surprise to many pet parents.