My Dog Won’t Eat His Food Anymore

How To Encourage A Dog To Eat Kibble

If your dog doesnt like his kibble then you could try the following:

• Get them checked out by a vet, to ensure there is no jaw or dental pain
• Try swapping brands to an alternative good quality dog food, perhaps with a different kibble size or shape
• Try moistening the kibbles. Soaking them in a bit of warm water before feeding can help give them a softer, meatier texture which some dogs may prefer
• Make sure you give fresh biscuits each day and keep your dogs food in an airtight container to stop it from going stale, which could make it unappetising
• Always provide plenty of fresh water, as dogs are thirstier on dry food diets

Video Answer: Help Cesar My Dog Won’t Eat

At what age is it appropriate to stop feeding my dog puppy food and do I need to phase it out gradually? Answer: In general most, most dogs mature into adults at about one year of age.

Large and giant breeds puppies initially grow more slowly and are considered adults by 18-24 months of age.

Fill both dog food bowls, but remove the dog that is getting his food stolen from the room temporarily. Let your food-stealing dog eat from his own bowl. When he approaches the other dog’s bowl, push him away, by placing your body between the dog and the extra bowl. Firmly say leave it or off”.

Dissatisfaction With The Food

Sometimes dogs wont eat their food for the simple reason that they dont like it. This is more common when feeding your dog a new food if your pup is refusing to eat a new kibble, you might want to try switching brands .

However, if youve been feeding your dog the same food for a while without issue, you might want to inspect the bag. You mightve gotten a spoiled batch or something similar its worth testing out a different bag to see if it was just an issue with that particular batch.

Its always possible that your dog will just decide not to eat their old kibble anymore for one reason or another. You can try switching to a different recipe to see if that solves the problem .

You could also experiment with toppers like wet food or raw, freeze-dried meat. These may spice up your dogs dish, reinvigorating their interest in their food.

If your pup is only suffering from partial anorexia, dissatisfaction with their food is the most likely cause.

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What Is The Treatment For A Dog Whos Not Eating Or Drinking

Treatment for a dog whos refusing their food consists of two components: treating the underlying cause and providing supportive care.

Directly addressing the underlying cause is important to ensure the loss of appetite is truly resolved . Without treating the underlying cause, anorexia could return after supportive care is discontinued.

To determine why a dog stopped eating, a veterinarian will take a detailed history and perform a physical exam to check your pups overall health and look for any abnormalities that could explain the loss of appetite .

Diagnostic tests are commonly needed to reach a diagnosis, since these tests give your vet more information about whats going on inside your pets body. Common tests include:

• A fecal check .
• Tests for infectious diseases.
• Depending on your dogs history and symptoms, additional testing may be recommended, such as biopsies.

Once a diagnosis is reached, targeted treatment is prescribed. For example, a dog with intestinal worms will receive a dewormer, and a dog whos eating less due to arthritis pain may be prescribed joint supplements or pet-safe pain medications.

Regardless of cause, supportive care is important to help a dog feel better, prevent complications of not eating , and promote healing.

Supportive care varies depending on a sick dogs needs and symptoms, but common treatments include:

SEE ALSO: How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Sick?

My Dog Wont Eat Dog Food But Will Eat Treats

Another common problem is the dog that will eat treats, or human food, but simply wont eat dog food at all. The causes are the same as for the dog that wont eat kibble unless it is smothered in yogurt or cheese sauce. Your dog has learned to play you. The solution is to teach him that you wont play his game.

The problem, is that many people are scared their dog will starve themselves to death, or suffer terribly, if he doesnt get to eat every three hours. Lets take a look at that.

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What To Do When Your Dog Wont Eat Their Food But Will Eat Treats

It is common for dogs to not eat their food, but eat treats or table scraps. This is referred to as partial anorexia and it typically occurs because your dog doesnât feel well.

Partial anorexia means a dog will eat, but only if something special, such as treats or table scraps like chicken or beef, are added to the food. Sometimes, dogs will refuse everything but will eat something as peculiar as a fast-food hamburger.

Full anorexia is when a dog wonât eat anything, including normal dog food, special treats, food doctored up with cooked ground beef, chicken, baby food, or anything you offer. Both problems can be serious, but full anorexia is an even bigger issue. Learn more about Home Care of Anorexia in Dogs.

Reasons for anorexia in dogs can vary from minor issues, such as a stomach upset to serious and even life-threatening problems. For more information â please see this article: My Dog is Not Eating, What Do I Do?

Shes Stressed Or Anxious

Canine anxiety robs more than joy it can also steal your dogs appetite.

There are obvious triggers of stress and anxiety in dogs like fireworks and storms, but there are also everyday causes like separation anxiety or changes in routine. Some dogs are so sensitive that strange noises,like the furnace kicking on, can frighten them enough to cause food refusal.

Signs of canine anxiety include pacing, excessive grooming, and whining. This affliction isnt just a source of mental anguish either untreated anxiety can lead to additional health issues. You can combat canine anxiety with a few changes in your routine, but for stubborn cases, a vet visit may be necessary.

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Add Some Interesting Stuff

Sometimes all it takes is to add a few baby carrots or some string beans to make your dog’s meal interesting again. These can be healthy additions too!

Dealing with a finicky dog can be a challenging issue to deal with. However, in the wild, there was never a history of finicky dogs. A finicky dog in the wild was usually either sick or in heat. We are the cause of finicky dogs and as the source of the problem, we must solve the problem. Always rule out potential sicknesses first with your veterinarian and then start a “finicky feeding plan.”

This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

What Do You Do When Your Dog Wont Eat

If your dog stops eating, do you need to take them to the vet right away? Or is it okay to wait until morning or even to monitor for a few days if your dog is acting normal otherwise?

Its always best to be cautious and , especially since loss of appetite could be a symptom of a serious health problem that may get worse. Regardless of cause, prolonged refusal of food can lead to health complications. And, if your dog isnt eating due to an illness, they need good nutrition for their bodys immunity and healing responses.

For all these reasons, its best to address a lack of appetite with your vet as soon as possible, even if your pet is otherwise acting normally.

Immediate veterinary care is recommended if your dog is refusing to eat and is also:

• A young puppy .
• An underweight dog or dog that has an underlying health problem.
• A toy or teacup breed. These pups are at risk of low blood sugar when they dont eat regularly.
• Showing signs of illness, such as vomiting, listlessness, or a fever.
• You suspect your dog ate something toxic or ate an object that could have gotten stuck in the stomach or intestines.

Regardless of what is causing the loss of appetite, addressing the issue with your veterinarian as soon as possible provides your pup with the best possible care before the condition progresses.

Prompt care will also help your pup feel like their normal self again as soon as possible.

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Why Your Dog Is Only Eating Treats

It is pretty unusual if your dog turns away from its regular food and wants to eat only treats. This is usually an indication that something is changing, and you might want to check it out immediately.

One of the most common reasons a dog will refuse to eat but would want only to treat is ill-health. No matter the condition, from dental disease to tumors, the presence of pain usually detests most dogs from eating.

Also, you might want to check the expiry date of your pets food. Most people think animals would eat anything as long as they are hungry and will never stop to check if the food being given is spoilt. Most animals would reject spoilt food, though, so you should double-check every time.

Sometimes dogs do not bluntly like the food they are being given and will tend to reject it. Some animals are picky and fussy, and this can be frustrating and annoying, but just like you wouldnt want to eat something you dont like, animals tend to be the same. Find food that your dog readily likes and stick to it.

Theres Something Wrong With Her Bowl

The problem may not be your pooch or her food at all: It could be her bowl. Dogs can be finicky creatures, and it can be surprising how sensitive some pooches are to the bowls we try to use.

For example, K9 of Mine Editor Bens dog J.B. is petrified of the noises metal stainless steel dog bowls make, while my pooch Maya requires plastic or ceramic dog bowls because of a nickel allergy.

Auto-feeders, which cause a bit of a commotion when filling up the bowl, can also be a source of anxiety at times. Hygiene is also important for your hounds appetite. If your dogs bowl is grimy, she may refuse to eat out of it. So, be sure to clean your dogs bowl regularly to avoid bacterial growth.

Washing your dogs bowl in warm water with dish soap will suffice , but remember to rinse thoroughly and let it dry before the next feeding.

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Dogs Crave Variety Too

You might notice that your dog happily eats her food when you open a new bag, but after a few weeks, she seems to get bored of it.

Few people seem to know that dog food starts to go bad once you open it. Dry kibble is coated with oils that go rancid, especially once the food is exposed to air. This becomes even more of a problem if you take the food out of the bag and store it in a container, and even worse if you never wash that container.

So, if your dog only wants to eat from a new bag of food, it could be that she craves new flavors, but it could also be because the food is going bad, even if you cannot see or smell a difference.

Always store your dogs food in the original bag, and use a bag clip keep it fresh. If you buy more than 2-weeks supply at once, store some of it in the freezer.

Alternatively, a container with a spout like this one from Buddeezz stores a bag of food in its original packaging. Its airtight, so it can help the food stay fresher longer and keeps bugs out.

Did Your Dog Just Have Surgery

It is not unusual for your dog to skip a meal or two after a surgery. The medications used for sedation and anesthesia commonly cause nausea and a decreased appetite, and medications that they may go home on, such as pain medications and/or antibiotics can also suppress the appetite.

You may try tempting your dog to eat with a spoonful of canned food or boneless, skinless, boiled chicken on top of their kibble. Better yet, ask your veterinarian for a few cans of a prescription gastrointestinal diet to feed for the first few days after surgery. These foods are highly palatable, are easily digestible, and can help counteract some of the gastrointestinal upset that can happen after surgery and anesthesia.

If your dog had oral or facial surgery, your veterinarian may recommend feeding only canned food for two or more weeks. This also means that your dog should not receive hard treats or chew on hard toys until they are declared healed at their recheck appointment. If your dog is refusing to eat the prescribed canned food, reach out to your veterinarian in case there are any post-operative complications.

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Keep Serving The Meal Until Your Dog Eats It

Sometimes you happen upon a pet that is just too stubborn for his own good. Hell refuse to eat no matter what you do. In that case, the only way to curb this problem is the gentle starvation method. Begin by placing your dog’s food down for 30 minutes. If he refuses to eat in that time, take it back up. Wait until his next normally scheduled mealtime and put it down for 30 minutes again. If he doesnt eat, take it back up. Eventually hunger will win over and your dog will eat his food. If not, theres probably a deeper problem than just a picky pup, and you should head to the vet.

Do You Make A Big Deal Out Of Eating

Dogs are smart and dogs are attention seekers. Your dog refuses his kibble one morning. You step closeby, pet your dog, and literally beg her to eat another kibble. Next, you are pleading her to eat on your knees. Your dog, at this point, feels like a star. It’s like, “Wow, every time I refuse food my owner goes bonkers over me. If I want to get all the attention I am missing during the day, all I need to do is turn my nose from the food I am offered.”

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What Is A Loss Of Appetite In Dogs

There are some pooches that are naturally a little more discerning when it comes to their diet but if your dog wont eat or is picky about the food he usually enjoys it can be a stressful time and leave you scratching your head and wondering why is my dog not eating?

Well, theres no one size fits all answer to that, sometimes its simply your pooches way of saying he would like a change of diet, but if you notice that your dog has anorexia, the medical term for loss of appetite in dogs there has to be a reason for it.

Perhaps he is just hot and tired and doesnt feel hungry, maybe your female dog is in heat and not eating because of temporary hormonal changes or it could be that you are unwittingly just feeding your dog too much and hes just full.

However, it can be an indication of illness, which could have been passed on from you, so if your pet skips more than a couple of meals its best to get him checked out by the vet.

What Are Some Possible Reasons My Dog Wont Eat

There are a range of possible reasons a dog may not want to eat, from minor to severe. And if your dog is newly adopted, he or she may be dealing with several appetite-squelchers all at once.

Of course, its not just new rescue dogs who sometimes refuse to eat. The potential reasons behind a newly adopted dog not eating can actually affect any dog. Consider the possibilities below.

• Stress from a Change in Surroundings

When a dog is adopted into a new home, whether its a full-grown adult or a new puppy, not eating right away could be due to stress. That might not sound so surprising, since a dogs whole world changes after adoption.

But actually, even a singular change can be a stressor for any dog, newly adopted or not. That includes a new home, possibly in a new city with different street sounds a new pet, human family member or house guest a new feeding schedule or even a new neighbor. Likewise, if someone in the family has recently moved out or passed away, or even left town temporarily for a trip, that can be just as stressful. And stress can affect canines appetites much like it does humans.

Knowing what type of food your dog finds most irresistible can help during these times, even if its not what you prefer to serve normally. For example, if you usually serve dry food but your dog refuses to eat when you leave for a trip, you might advise your dog sitter to serve all canned food while youre gone.

• New Medication or Vaccination

• New Food Introduced Too Fast

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Helpful Information To Provide Your Veterinarian

Below are some questions your veterinarian may ask you during your visit.

Make a note of the answers to them before your vet visit so you dont have to take up valuable time during your dogs appointment trying to remember.

• How long has it been since your dog has eaten?
• How many times a day does he eat?
• Is your dog eating something or nothing at all?
• Is it just food thats an issue or is he drinking more or less as well?
• Is there a certain time of day he will eat?
• Have you changed his food?
• Has he been throwing up? Having diarrhea?
• Is it just his dog food he wont eat or hes lost interest in everything?
• Will he still eat treats?
• Are there any other behaviors youre concerned about?