Dog not eating? The best tips to find the cause and a solution

It can certainly happen that dogs refuse their food completely or in part. A distinction is made between anorexia (the complete absence of appetite) and inappetence (the dog eats considerably less than usual, or only particularly palatable food).

Both forms are very non-specific, however, which is why many reasons for such behaviour have to be considered. What matters is that you try to get to the bottom of them. If a dog refuses food for a long time, this can lead to marked weight loss and even to serious metabolic disorders.

If there appears to be no logical explanation for why the dog is not accepting food as usual, or if further signs of illness appear, the animal should be taken to a veterinary practice promptly.

When a dog refuses the bowl – possible reasons

Knowing what reasons can lie behind a dog refusing food is important. You should bear in mind, however, that an accurate diagnosis can be made only by a vet. The vet will examine the dog carefully and ask relevant questions about its behaviour in order to establish the cause.

The 3 most common reasons why dogs do not eat

If a dog no longer eats, or eats only poorly, one of the following reasons is often involved:

• Psychology: Sensitive dogs in particular suffer from fear and stress more often than others. Hormonal changes in the dog’s body can also have a direct effect on its psychological state.
• Food: While some dogs accept anything that is put in front of them, others are very fussy. This can lead them to refuse a particular food completely.
• Illnesses: If a dog has always eaten well and suddenly refuses all food as well as treats, illness must be considered as a cause. Only a vet can help in this case.

When psychology affects appetite

Sensitive dogs struggle more with stress and anxiety. Even seemingly unspectacular events, such as encountering other dogs or a change in the interior décor, can lead to anorexia or inappetence in such a dog.

If such a reason is likely, you as the owner should check where the sources of stress for your dog lie and reduce them as far as possible. The dog may be affected by the following situations:

• particularly intense stress/fear: Some dogs do not cope well with being left alone frequently during the day. An addition to the family, frequently changing family arrangements or the death of the main carer can also trigger psychological distress in sensitive animals. If there is a particular noise burden, for example from tradespeople in the house, you should feed the dog outside working hours.
• Puberty in dogs: Like us, dogs in puberty often have to contend with hormonal surges and their effects. Eating is then not infrequently neglected for a time.
• Moving house: Moving to a new home or into a rescue kennel means a great deal of stress for most dogs. During this time you should give them a food they enjoyed eating before the exceptional situation, in order to avoid problems.
• Medication: Alongside the desired effects, medicines unfortunately often have one side effect or another. If a dog is given medication regularly, you should check the information leaflet. At the same time it can be helpful to ask the vet for advice.

Food quality and choice – a decisive factor

Some dogs eat anything that is served to them. That too can become a problem, however, if the dog is not able to recognise food that is poor for it.

Other dogs fundamentally do not accept new food, or notice immediately if it does not agree with them. If there was no urgent reason for the change of food, it may then be necessary to go back to the previous food.

In any case it is important to make the change of food slowly. Switching too quickly without a period of adjustment often leads to health problems or even to refusal.

Some dogs are poor eaters by nature and reject many types of food from the outset. What can then help is explained further down in the article.

Physical complaints: illness as a possible cause

Many illnesses in dogs begin with anorexia or inappetence. Often there are no further signs. What the dog is suffering from can only be established by a qualified vet. Both mild and serious conditions can announce themselves with this behaviour. That is why it is so important that the dog concerned is examined at a veterinary practice.

A vaccination in dogs can protect them from various diseases. The vet is best placed to assess which vaccinations the dog needs. What then matters is that they are boosted at regular intervals.

Health problems: how illness affects appetite

Is the dog no longer eating? This can be a sign of viral or bacterial infections, but also of urinary tract infections. Other conditions that may be involved include kidney failure or cancer. It is only understandable that a dog loses its appetite in the course of these and similar illnesses. As already explained, however, a lack of appetite or complete refusal of food are non-specific signs.

It is important not to fall into panic or stress and instead to proceed calmly, so as not to place additional strain on the dog. A veterinary practice is the best place for a dog with these and other signs. To help with diagnosis, the vet can, for example, determine the body temperature in dogs in order to identify anything unusual.

The dog’s age – an underestimated influence

The older dogs become, the less they generally move. Many older dogs also sleep during the day and are harder to motivate into activity than their younger counterparts. This behaviour need not be a cause for concern, as long as the dog does not stop taking in food altogether.

There are also things you can do to encourage appetite in older dogs again. It can help to buy a food that matches the changed circumstances and needs of the older dog. Many manufacturers offer special formulations for this, which can be bought from a pet shop.

Because many older dogs also have a changed requirement for certain nutrients, it can also make sense to give them selected food supplements with their daily food. This step should always be discussed with a vet, however, and never decided on alone. One reason is that an oversupply of nutrients can lead to further health problems.

Feeding tips and tricks

If there are no health-related causes for the poor food intake, it is possible to achieve improvements by changing the feeding routine. We have therefore put together a few helpful tips and tricks:

1. try a new food: This is the best way to find out whether the dog generally does not want to eat, or whether the problem lies with the food it has been given until now.
2. feeding schedule: If there is a set routine when feeding the dog, it can adjust to this. Some dogs need that in order to eat well on a regular basis.
3. remove the bowl again: If the dog has still not touched the food after 10 minutes, it is important to take it away again. Only in this way does a dog learn that food is not available around the clock. It will then make more use of the opportunity and eat when you serve it.
4. no treats: As long as the dog is eating its main food only poorly, it is not helpful to give it treats in between. These may taste better to the dog, but they do not contain all the necessary nutrients. The negative result is that the dog puts on weight but is still not adequately supplied with nutrients.
5. warm the food slightly: Warm food smells more intense and is therefore more tempting. Dog food can be warmed slightly either in a water bath or in the microwave. It should not be too hot, however, so that the dog does not burn itself.
6. try a new feeding place: The problem may not lie with the food itself at all, but with the place where it is served. Most dogs prefer to take their food in peace. Small rooms that are not thoroughfares are suitable for this. Loud noise, stress and the presence of strangers during feeding should also be avoided.
7. training sessions before feeding: Short training sessions can stimulate the dog’s metabolism before feeding. Exercise also encourages appetite.
8. provide variety at feeding times: Some dogs do not like being given the same type of food again and again. In this case you should try varying the flavours from time to time. This should not happen too often, however, as the dog might then get used to waiting for a particularly tasty food while leaving the rest standing.
9. try a new bowl: It may seem trivial, but some dogs prefer eating from certain bowls. Aluminium bowls, for example, are unpopular because they reflect and therefore distract from the food. The noise that arises when eating from a bowl can also bother some dogs. Bowls made of glass or ceramic are particularly suitable. Plastic bowls, by contrast, usually contain plasticisers that have a smell of their own or affect the taste of the food – something that can in turn lead to food refusal in dogs.

These tips are only suggestions. There is unfortunately no guarantee that they will work. It may also be that a particular approach works better with your own dog than another. It is best to try several options in order to achieve results as quickly as possible.

If the dog’s eating behaviour still does not improve, you should contact a vet again.

Loss of appetite: when you should really worry

There are therefore many things you can do if a dog has no appetite or is no longer eating. Sometimes this problem also resolves itself quickly. In other cases, however, the dog needs help – for example if a psychological or physical problem lies behind its behaviour. It is then important to observe the dog carefully in order to notice any further unusual signs.

If your own dog is eating considerably less than usual and this behaviour continues for 3 days, you should always see a vet you trust. In the case of acute food refusal in dogs, by contrast, you must respond immediately so that the causes can be established.

As an owner you automatically bear responsibility for your pet and must therefore ensure as quickly as possible that loss of appetite and reluctance to eat subside again.

FAQ

That dogs sometimes do not want to eat need not always be a cause for concern. It is nevertheless important to know the possible causes and have them ruled out by a vet. Below we answer frequently asked questions on the topic: dog no longer eating.

How long is it normal for a dog not to eat?

It is not always a problem if dogs temporarily lose their appetite. If a dog eats poorly for a day because it does not like the food on offer or does not tolerate it well, this is not immediately an emergency. If the situation continues into the next day, however, you should always assume that something is wrong and contact the vet.

What should I do if my dog will not eat?

If a dog suddenly stops accepting food, health problems must first be ruled out as the cause. Is the dog not eating even though no illness is present? Measures such as set feeding times and creating a quiet feeding place in the home may then help.

Why is my dog not eating and sleeping a lot?

It is notable if a dog not only refuses food but also sleeps more than before. Various causes must be considered, and only a vet can establish which one applies.

How long can I let my dog go without food?

Healthy adult dogs can go without food for up to 5 days. This applies only if they can take in enough fluid at the same time. You should never let it come to that, however. A dog that completely refuses food is always a case for the vet!

Conclusion

Dogs need certain nutrients over the course of the day, which they must largely take in through a complete food. If a dog suddenly refuses its food or eats more poorly than usual, this is in many cases a warning sign. You should then not hesitate and have the dog examined by a vet as quickly as possible. If illness, gastrointestinal problems or psychological causes can be ruled out, there are a few options for owners to encourage their dog to eat.

In many cases it already helps to warm the food a little so that it gives off a stronger smell. A quiet feeding place that is not a thoroughfare in the home is also important. Persistent loss of appetite can also be down to the food. Ideally the dog should not be given dry food alone, but also wet food that contains a lot of meat.