It’s distressing when your dog isn’t jumping up and down with excitement as you put down a big bowl of food for them. If you’re used to your dog putting on a show at dinner time only to have them picked over their food or worse, turn away, then you may wonder, “Why is my dog not eating?”
There could be a variety of reasons that your dog doesn’t want to eat. It’s crucial to find out what might be causing them to lose their appetite. Some reasons are serious like illnesses, and others are because of pet owners’ behaviours that may otherwise seem harmless.
Why Is My Dog Not Eating?
1. Illnesses/Diseases
Some diseases cause your dogs to avoid eating because they feel uncomfortable and pain when they do. These include:
- Gastrointestinal parasites/worms such as hookworms, roundworms and whipworms
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Congenital problems or any other issues that can affect organ function
What To Do:
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- Look out for symptoms such as high-grade fever and lethargy. Please consult your veterinarian so they could determine the correct illness and the proper treatment.
2. Stomach Upset
An upset stomach may be caused by:
- Eating spoiled food
- Drinking dirty water
- Ingestion of indigestible foreign objects (e.g.small toy, screws, socks, etc.)
- Ingestion of toxins (e.g. soap, fertilizers, cleaning aids)
What To Do:
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- Look for symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
- Feel the stomach and check if something is bulging out.
- Please consult your veterinarian if there’s anything suspicious.
3. Being Full
When you’re sitting in front of the TV having a snack, do you give in to your dog’s adorable “puppy eyes” and toss him a bite or two? Do you give them treats throughout the day? If you do, your dog might be too full to eat their dinner.
What To Do:
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- Stick with their meal schedules.
- Set out your dog’s eating time for 30 minutes. If it isn’t eaten, take it away.
- Avoid giving them treats all the time.
- Choose to provide affection like cuddles, petting and playtime instead of snacks. They would love that!
4. Change in Diet or Brand of Dog Food
Many dogs are perfectly fine with having the same food every day. However, if there’s a need to change it up for nutritional purposes or because they seem bored with the same menu, you can do so.
Changes in their diet may also cause their bodies to react. Switching from pure dog food to table food or vice versa may be a shock for your fur buddies. Similarly, switching to another brand of dog food may put them off. They may need some time getting used to the change.
What To Do:
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- Introduce the new food gradually by mixing it with the old. Lessen the quantity of the old food
5. Stress and Anxiety
Loneliness, boredom, fear, separation from an owner or the loss of another pet friend can be reasons for your dog not eating.
What To Do:
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- Spend more quality time with your doggy. If they seem strangely reclusive, please consult your vet.
It’s important to understand that every dog’s eating habit may differ. Factors to be considered are breed, age, or what kind of dogs they are e.g. those that “live to eat” and those that “eat to live”. Some dogs just don’t see food as the ultimate reward. They prefer praise, attention and affection over a bowl of delicious dog food.
Furthermore, your dog skipping a meal or two is not necessarily a problem. What’s important is their weight gain. If they’re growing at the normal rate, then there’s no need to worry.
To find out more tips on how to take care of your pets, read our BLOGS.
