![]() In cases where your dog stops eating but then resumes a few days later, it might be nothing to get concerned about. “If the dog food doesn’t smell good, you might want to start over again.” When to Seek Help If Your Dog Isn’t Eating “You probably shouldn’t buy a 50-pound bag of dog food for a five-pound dog because, by the time you get to the bottom of the bag, the food is going to be rancid,” says Dr. For instance, buy one five-pound bag for your five-pound dog. A good rule of thumb is to buy bags of dog food roughly the size of your dog. If it has expired or smells weird, throw out that food and buy a new bag. Check the use-by or expiration date on the bag or even just follow your nose. It’s good to have an alternative in case that food goes off the market, gets recalled, or it gets improved and your dog no longer likes it.”Īnother reason why your dog might not be eating? The food has gone stale. “What that means is the manufacturer has changed the food, and your dog might not like the new version. “If you look at the bag and it says ‘new and improved,’ that might not be your dog’s opinion of that food,” notes Dr. Hohenhaus suggests not always feeding your dog the same type of food. Your pup’s shift in eating habits might also be because the formula of their regular dog food has recently changed. “I have preferred times to eat, and dogs do too,” says Dr. If they only eat during one time of day, it’s likely nothing to worry about. No matter what your dog’s preferences are, eating at the same time each day is common practice. Maybe your pup only likes to chow down at noon, or perhaps they only finish the contents of their bowl after the sun goes down. Some dogs only eat during specific times of the day. They’re waiting for the pack to be there to eat,” says Dr. When you’re gone, their pack is not at home. ![]() If it seems like your dog doesn’t eat or drink when you’re gone, but they scarf down their food when you arrive home, know that it’s probably not just your imagination. I would say the same is true for dogs.” Owner Absence When your life is all upset, either you eat a lot, or you eat nothing because you’re distracted by what’s going on in your life. “She was on a bit of a hunger strike, and I think it was because her life was upside-down,” says Dr. Hohenhaus has even witnessed a canine patient stop eating after being re-homed following the death of her owner. Just as a major life change like moving to a new city, changing jobs, or a breakup can affect your appetite, an upheaval in a dog’s life can cause anxiety and affect their hunger as well.ĭr. Some medicines make you nauseous.” Potential culprits, she adds, could be chemotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Rimadyl. “Treatment of a disease can make you not eat,” says Dr. Has your dog recently been put on a new medication? That drug and/or regimen change might be upsetting their stomachs. But she does note that if the dog has a tumor in their mouth, that might cause them to stop eating. Hohenhaus affirms that dental disease is rarely to blame for a dog not eating. ![]() ![]() In serious cases, your vet could prescribe a medication that could induce eatingĭr.Try hand-feeding, as social eaters might just want attention.Feeding your dog dry food if they usually only eat wet food (or vice-versa).Pour warm water over dry food to make it softer.Pour dog-safe chicken broth or beef broth over the food to make it more appealing.Warm up your dog’s food in the microwave.In the interim, you can try the following to spur their appetite: However, if your dog is not eating and is either vomiting, having diarrhea, or both, contact your veterinarian within 8-12 hours. ![]()
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