Most of the time, getting your dog to eat might not be a problem. Most dogs are excited about their food and more often than not, owners spend more time trying to discourage them from eating something that they shouldn’t rather than encouraging them to eat. However, sometimes, the biggest food-lovers can sometimes lose their appetite, and there are plenty of potential reasons for why this happens. Most of the time you can rest assured that your dog is simply having an off day and there’s nothing seriously wrong, and the good news is that as long as your dog drinks plenty of water, then not eating much or even not eating anything for a couple of days won’t bring them to any harm.
However, if you’ve noticed that it has been a couple of days and your dog still isn’t feeling like eating and may be losing weight, it’s worth going to the vet for a check-up as this can often be caused by other more serious health problems. Here are some of the main reasons for appetite loss in dogs.
Pain
Sometimes, being in pain can cause your dog to go off their food. Just like humans, eating a full meal might not be the first thing on their mind if they are hurting somewhere. This is often more common in older dogs who will typically be more likely to suffer from joint problems such as arthritis. If you’ve noticed that your dog appears to be quite stiff, especially after sleeping or struggling to get comfortable in bed, they could be experiencing joint problems. It’s worth having them checked by the vet to see if there are any medications or treatments to help. Older dogs might also benefit from an orthopaedic dog bed, and you can offer supplements like YuMOVE that may be able to improve joint health and mobility. YuMOVE include ingredients like green-lipped mussels, magnesium, and vitamins C and E to name a few.
Digestive Problems
Just like in humans, feeling sick and other digestive problems like constipation, vomiting and diarrhoea can certainly put your dog off their food for a while. If your dog has eaten something that has left them feeling sick or suffering from a stomach bug, it’s quite normal for them to avoid eating while they feel like this. If you suspect that this is the reason why your dog is refusing to eat, it’s important to let them recover from whatever is bothering them. You can encourage them to eat a plain meal like boiled rice with chicken to help settle their stomach, but this is not essential. Make sure that your dog stays hydrated and ensure that they have access to clean water at all times.
Respiratory Diseases
Some dogs might go off their food as a result of suffering from an upper respiratory disease, such as asthma or kennel cough. These conditions can often result in your dog struggling to smell their food when you put it down for them in their bowl, which can affect their motivation to eat. You should visit your vet as soon as possible to get diagnosis and treatment if you suspect that your dog might have a respiratory condition. Adding strong-smelling supplements or warming up your dog’s meal before feeding can also help make it more appealing for them.
Dental Problems
Eating when your teeth are sore is never very pleasant, and this is also the case for dogs. Your dog might have gone off their food because it’s painful for them to eat due to dental problems. This tends to be more common in older dogs whose teeth may deteriorate and get weaker as they age. Your vet can provide you with advice on the best dental care steps to take if you suspect this might be the reason behind your dog’s loss of appetite. Focus on offering your dog softer, easier-to-chew foods to encourage them to eat.
Stress
Stress can affect a dog’s appetite just as much as it can in humans. And, there are plenty of things that could stress a dog out. Dogs are very habitual creatures and tend to be happiest when they have a predictable daily routine; any changes to this can leave them feeling stressed and anxious for a while, and as a result, they might not be as interested in their food. If you’ve moved home, renovated, had a new baby, or adopted a new pet, this can be a massive change for your dog, so it’s important to be patient with them and offer them plenty of reassurance as they adapt to the new circumstances.
Infections
If your dog is suffering from an infection, they might have a fever, which can certainly interfere with their appetite. If your dog has symptoms of an infection, they are going to benefit from fasting for a while since it allows their body to use as much energy as possible to fight the infection. Make sure that your dog stays hydrated if they are in this situation. If you’re struggling to encourage them to drink water, some chicken soup or bone broth might be a more appealing way for them to get fluids.
Dietary Changes
It’s normal for dogs to change their eating habits when you change their food. If you’ve recently put your dog on a different brand of food or are trying a raw diet instead of kibble, your dog might need some time to adjust. It’s also worth considering whether a straight swap over to a new diet is the best for your dog or whether they will benefit more from having the new food gradually introduced over time.
Too Much Food
If you’ve noticed that your dog is eating but they very rarely finish their plate, this is unlikely to be due to an underlying health condition, but rather that your dog simply feels full. It’s a common misconception that all dogs want to eat all the time and some are very in tune with knowing when they’ve eaten enough and will stop. This is especially true if your dog is getting older as they may simply no longer need as much energy as they once did from their food.
Veterinary Treatments
Most dogs will experience a drop in appetite after being at the vet for a treatment or surgical procedure. Of course, every dog is different and there are definitely some dogs out there who will want to eat everything in sight after being at the vets, but it’s usually not a cause for concern if your pet is not interested in food for the rest of the day after being vaccinated or having a procedure under general anaesthetic. If your dog is due at the vet for a procedure, speak to your vet about what to expect afterwards and how to ensure that your dog is comfortable. Remember that some procedures might have rules to follow regarding when you can feed your dog safely afterwards.
The majority of dog owners will agree that most dogs tend to love food, so it can be worrying if your dog suddenly doesn’t want to eat. The good news is that it’s typically a temporary thing. However, a loss of appetite can be a signal of a more serious condition, so if nothing has changed after a couple of days, speak to your vet.
