Why is My Dog Not Eating Regularly?

Has your chow-hound suddenly lost interest in food? Are you dealing with a canine picky eater? If so, read on to learn why your dog may not be eating regularly and what you can do to help.

First, Is There Really a Problem?

It’s natural to connect a good appetite to good health, but a dog who doesn’t eat at every opportunity isn’t necessarily unwell. Some simply aren’t big eaters, which can be jarring if your experience is limited to dogs who live for their next meal. If your dog seems to be healthy, isn’t losing weight, and has a good body condition, you may have nothing to worry about! Several studies (like this one) have shown that dogs who eat fewer calories and remain slim live longer and healthier lives than average.

On the other hand, you have good reason to be concerned if your dog:

• Used to have a good appetite, but it is worse now
• Is unexpectedly losing weight
• Has other symptoms of disease like vomiting, diarrhea, discomfort, loss of energy, difficulty chewing or swallowing, coughing, or anything else that is out of the ordinary

What Causes Loss of Appetite in Dogs?

Many things can cause dogs to eat poorly, some of which can be dealt with at home while others require a trip to the veterinarian.

Something is “wrong” with the food

Start by thinking about your dog’s food. Did you recently switch to a new diet or mix in a medication or supplement? If you can point to a recent change, go back to your dog’s old diet and see if that takes care of the problem.

Is your dog’s food old? Dry food only remains fresh for a month or so after the bag has been opened. It’s also possible that something went wrong when the food was being manufactured, stored, or transported. Check for a pet food recall, and when in doubt, throw it out.

Stress and anxiety

Dogs can feel vulnerable when they are eating. They may skip or shorten meals when they are anxious or under stress.

Feeding time should be as peaceful and predictable as possible. A familiar, quiet location separated from other pets (and young children!) is ideal. If you’ve recently changed where or how you feed your dog, returning to your old methods may also help. Talk to your veterinarian if you think your dog is suffering from anxiety.

Disease

Sick or injured dogs often don’t eat well. Some of the more common health problems that can reduce a dog’s appetite are:

• Eating something out of the ordinary that results in an upset stomach
• Conditions affecting the mouth, like dental disease, that make eating painful
• Gastrointestinal parasites
• Bacterial or viral infections
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Gastrointestinal tumors, obstructions, or ulcers
• Pancreatitis
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• And many, many more

A veterinarian can start to narrow down this list with a physical examination and routine lab work. 

Signs That It’s Time to Take Your Dog to the Vet

With so many potential causes behind a dog’s poor appetite (ranging from the not-so-serious to the potentially life-threatening), how do you know when it’s time to see your vet?

Don’t panic if your otherwise healthy, adult dog has skipped a meal. Simply discard their leftovers and offer their next meal at its regularly scheduled time. Monitor for the development of other symptoms and ensure that your dog is continuing to drink. Call your veterinarian for advice if your dog’s appetite hasn’t returned to normal in 24 to 48 hours.

But don’t wait to call your vet if any of the following apply:

• Your dog is very young, very old, or has underlying health problems
• They have other symptoms of illness like vomiting, diarrhea, discomfort, lethargy, or weakness
• Multiple dogs in your household are experiencing similar symptoms
• Your dog may have eaten something dangerous like medications, high-fat foods, bones, chocolate, grapes and raisins, toxic plants, or chemicals

How to Encourage a Dog to Eat

Once you’re sure your dog’s not in any danger, you can start working on improving their appetite. Good nutrition is essential to help dogs recover from illness or injury and for their long-term health and wellbeing. Here are some tricks of the trade for encouraging a dog to eat.

• Try a different type of food. Many dogs seem to think that wet foods taste better than dry. Homecooked or commercially-available fresh diets can be good options but make sure they are nutritionally complete and balanced if you are going to feed them for more than a week or so.
• Warming wet food to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit will increase its aroma.
• Make every bite count by feeding a high-quality food that is nutrient and calorie-dense. Foods designed for puppies or extremely active dogs are available over-the-counter, and recovery diets can be purchased through veterinarians.
• Don’t feed too many treats or human foods between meals. Mixing a small amount of something yummy (but still healthy) with your dog’s regular food is a better option.
• Get your dog in the mood to eat with a favorite activity—going for a walk or a play or snuggle session can all work.
• Hand-feed your dog and praise them when they take a bite. Never resort to force-feeding as this can lead to injuries and food being inhaled.

If you still have concerns about your dog’s appetite or diet, talk to your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. They can customize recommendations based on the details of your dog’s case.