Decreased appetite, otherwise known as hyporexia or anorexia in dogs, can be very stressful, especially when you do not know the origin. It may be a sign that something is wrong with your best friend, and if your dog won’t eat his food for more than 24 hours, this is not something you want to ignore. It is essential if the dog typically eats a lot but now refuses to new food.
Interestingly anorexia in dogs can be partial or full. Partial anorexia happens when the dog eats something special like table scraps and dog treats. They will not eat something strange or a full meal at once. Full anorexia, though, happens when the dog is not ingesting anything for a lengthy period. Both scenarios are serious, though.
Article Summary
Reasons Why Your Dog Will Not Eat
Behavioral issues
Sometimes the cause of not eating is psychosomatic, which means it is mental. Anxiety or fear can significantly reduce appetites in dogs, the same way for people and human food [1]. Though, of course, what you perceive as stressful is different for dogs.
Now changes within the dog’s routine or environments like new people and pets or even construction noises can trigger the anxiety levels within a dog. Even when it comes to changing the time of meals or the process on how to transition dog food for the more sensitive ones can trigger their stress levels. If it is the introduction of another pet within the household, the intimidation from the other animal can cause it to avoid eating.
Dogs usually do not like eating next to other new pets, especially during the first days, because they have to establish a hierarchy or relative relationship. These things often go unnoticed but are very significant to dogs.
Gastrointestinal issues
The medical angle is also a common reason why dogs may not want to eat. A dog’s digestive process begins from the mouth to the esophagus and then to the stomach and intestines. If the pup has a disease affecting any of these areas, it will also affect the dog’s appetite though there are symptoms that will let you know if this is the case. It will also be hard for the dog to eat dry food anymore.
Your dog may begin vomiting or have diarrhea. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract include infections of the viral or bacterial variety. These may come from roundworms, whipworms, or parvovirus. Alternatively, it could be due to gastrointestinal tumors, food allergies, or spoiled dog food—be sure to feed Fido only the best fresh dog food.
Dental issues
Though it does not seem like it, even dogs have dental problems [2] from time to time, like cavities and broken teeth. These problems can reduce their appetite, of course, because they begin to associate dry food with pain. Every time they eat, they are reminded that their teeth have a problem. It reaches a point where the pain supersedes the hunger. It may be advisable to include wet dog food as part of the diet.
Liver diseases
The liver is the organ that filters the body’s waste and toxins within the bloodstream. If it does not work in the right way, the toxins end up building up, and that causes nausea as well as a lack of appetite. When dogs are experiencing liver failure, they can be lethargic.
Vomiting and diarrhea are also potential symptoms. Liver-related sicknesses include cirrhosis, liver cancer, and hepatitis, not to mention bad reactions to medications.
Recent vaccinations
Vaccinations are mandatory for several significant and contagious dog illnesses. These vaccinations are compulsory because they have reduced the chances of infection spread over the past decades, but they can also come with adverse effects. Fortunately, these effects are temporary, so the dog may shake it off after a brief spell.
Not liking the food
Some dogs just do not like eating regular or one type of food for extended periods. In such case, it’s not that they are allergic to certain types of foods. These dogs are just fussy the way a toddler would be with some types of foods. It can be annoying, but of course, you cannot force them to eat something they do not like for whatever reason. Consider the best dog food delivery service companies that offer a variety of appetizing and healthy food.
Pancreatic diseases
The pancreas is an organ that produces insulin and several digestive enzymes to break down the food within the stomach. Sometimes the pancreas may experience inflammation, resulting in the release of enzymes against itself. It can lead to pain, nausea, and lack of appetite.
It is one of the more serious issues, though, and more often leads to fatality than the other reasons for no appetite. So if you suspect pancreatic issues, please hurry the dog to the veterinarian.
What to Do When the Dog is Not Eating
The veterinarian should be able to diagnose the issue quickly and recommend a treatment for the pup to bring back its appetite. For example, if they have stress, it should be easy to decipher and amend the situation to make the dog more relaxed.
In the meantime, some incentives can be implemented. These include warming the food before serving, hand feeding, or trying different brands to see if they approve of them.
FAQs
What to do if your dog won’t eat his food?
Warm the food in the microwave before giving it to the dog. You can feed the dog chicken broth, clam juice, or tuna water over the food to make it appealing. Avoid having the pup eat dry dog food as it is not appealing.
Why won’t my dog eat food but will eat treats?
If your dog refuses to eat a meal but likes dog treats, they may be developing a taste for junk food rather than their dog foods. Though, if your dog has other symptoms of not feeling well, the reason might be a medical condition.
