What do I do if my dog won’t eat?

If your dog has stopped eating, it’s very important to consult your vet. A lack of appetite (anorexia) can be indicative of a serious health problem such as an intestinal obstruction or infection. That said, small fluctuations in appetite are normal and not necessarily cause for alarm. The question is: how can you tell if it’s something serious? Keep reading.  

Now that you know how to act, let’s try to understand why dogs stop eating. 

Infectious diseases 

Most infections cause fever and, consequently, malaise and loss of appetite. If you protect your dog properly by vaccinating and deworming, it’s likely just a minor infection. However, some infections are accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea, which is a clear sign that you should at least notify your vet. In more severe infections, the dog won’t eat or drink; in these cases, it’s best to act quickly and go to the vet.  

Parasites 

Paralysis ticks can cause loss of appetite. Inappetance is often followed by vomiting, retching, or gagging. Dogs can also experience lethargy, a change in their bark and a wobbly or uncoordinated gait. This is a medical emergency. If you live in a region where there are paralysis ticks, prompt assessment by your vet is crucial.

Tapeworms and roundworms in dogs can cause loss of appetite because they disrupt normal bowel function. In addition, the parasites release toxins that cause discomfort and loss of appetite. In severe cases, a large number of intestinal parasites can obstruct the gastrointestinal tract, usually accompanied by vomiting; this is a veterinary emergency. 

Dental problems 

Broken teeth, tongue lacerations, and periodontal disease are oral problems that commonly cause anorexia in dogs. For this reason, it’s important to keep our furry friends’ mouths in top condition. Daily cleaning with a veterinary toothpaste prevents tartar buildup and periodontal disease. It’s common for dental problems to prevent dogs from eating, but not from drinking. So, if you find yourself saying, “My dog ​​won’t eat but will drink” the first place to look for an explanation is in their mouth.  

Non-infectious diseases 

Certain types of cancer and some metabolic diseases can also cause anorexia. These diseases usually develop slowly, so a veterinary check-up, with a focus on prevention, is the best way to detect them early and intervene. We must also consider gastrointestinal complications, such as intestinal torsion or obstruction. Depending on the degree of obstruction, these complications can cause loss of appetite and mild discomfort, or, in their more severe forms, vomiting, abdominal distension, and significant pain. Many of these gastrointestinal complications can only be resolved surgically.

Problems with the feed 

Sometimes, a lack of appetite is due to a simple explanation: your dog doesn’t like his food.  

If your dog refuses to eat its usual food, check that it hasn’t expired or smells bad. Dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell and won’t eat spoiled food.  

Have you recently changed your dog’s food brand? Some dogs don’t tolerate changes to their favorite food well. When you decide to switch brands, it’s important to do so gradually. This will prevent intestinal problems and allow your best friend to adjust to the new flavours more easily. 

You’ve taught him not to eat

Sounds unbelievable, right? Well, it’s more common than you might think. This problem arises because treats, or snacks, even though they may seem insignificant, make up a substantial portion of a dog’s food. When a dog receives “bribes” it’s common for them to prefer the taste of the treats or snacks to that of their kibble and therefore lose interest in it. 

If your dog shows no signs of illness, is lively and behaves normally, and still refuses to eat, ask yourself if you might be giving him too many treats.  

Dogs are expert manipulators when it comes to food, so often one member of the family has succumbed to their charms and showers them with treats while the others watch in amazement at how little of their food they eat.  

He’s stealing food from other pets

If you have other dogs or cats in your home, it’s very likely that a greedy or dominant dog is stealing their food. This practice is very common among dogs and cats, as cats are often left with free access to food. 

One solution is smart feeders. For example, the Sure Petcare smart feeder ensures each of your pets eats the correct amount, as it works by identifying their microchip and preventing them from eating other pets’ food.  

If you suspect tick paralysis or find a paralysis tick, do not delay. Take them to your vet.

Over-the-counter medications that people often take when they are unwell, such as antidiarrheals and painkillers, can have serious adverse effects on dogs.  

Don’t offer him very appetizing food. 

If your dog doesn’t want to eat, don’t offer food to try and stimulate its appetite. You’ll probably find someone who advises giving it rice with chicken, eggs, or even raw meat. No dog can resist these treats! 

Well, fresh food in itself isn’t a problem, but if your dog has an underlying illness and you offer very palatable food, you could aggravate the vomiting, accelerating dehydration.