Why Is My Dog Not Eating?

This is a frequent question among dog owners, but the reasons a dog suddenly stops eating are not always clear.
We need to ask ourselves if it is due to a psychological condition or a medical one.

Psychological reasons

Boredom
It could be as simple as boredom. If you dog has become bored with his food he will stop eating it, especially if he is fed treats and other foods in between meals.

We have seen some frustrated dog owners hold the dog’s bowl in front of their pet to “help” them eat. This is not a good idea as your dog could get use to it and you will only re-enforce his behavior.

Switching his food or adding goodies to it (tiny piece of chicken and vegetable for example) may help.

Stress
You might have moved or added a child or another canine friend to your family. Some dogs, especially older ones, do not cope very well with such life changes.

Medical Reasons

Pain and/or canine arthritis
If your dog has pain in the neck, shoulders and /or arthritis you might need to feed him from an elevated dog feeder rather than a floor level regular bowl. Raising the food will make your dog much more comfortable, as he does not need to bend to reach the food.

Elevated Dog Bowls & Dog Feeders

They are many style of elevated dog feeders on today’s market to accommodate your dog specific eating and drinking habits. We like Whiner and Diner raised dog bowls and dog feeders: They are stylish, eco-friendly and healthy for all dogs as they come in heights from 4" to 27" tall. These dog feeders also come with stainless steel dog bowls which are more sanitary than ceramic or plastic ones and will not scratch or break.

Digestive problems
There may be vomiting and diarrhea. Monitor the dog closely. If the vomiting and diarrhea last more than a few days call your veterinarian.

The age of the dog is also a key factor. Is your old dog not eating or do you have a puppy not eating? Puppies have an urge to put things in their mouth. Socks, ropes and other non-digestible items can cause intestinal blockages that prevent a him/her from eating. If your puppy has eaten something he'her shouldn’t have, surgery may be required to remove the blockage.

An older dog might simply have sore teeth or an underlying disease. Again, veterinarian care might be necessary.

Serious diseases
Some dogs will refuse to eat for up to 48 hours and finally eat their food again. As long as the dog's energy level is ok, he'll be fine. Just make sure he is drinking enough water. If he still refuses his food after two days, or develops other symptoms, get him to your veterinarian.

If it is a serious matter such as cancer, pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease, etc...Only your veterinarian will be able to help you and your dog.