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6 reasons why your dog won't eat - explanation of causes and solutions for lack of appetite

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6 reasons why your dog won't eat - explanation of causes and solutions for lack of appetite
If your dog, who usually has a good appetite, stops eating, you may be worried that something is wrong. You may be wondering whether you should just wait and see or take him to the vet. There are various reasons for a dog's loss of appetite, and the treatment for each is different.
Here we will explain the possible reasons why your dog won't eat and what to do about it. (Last updated: August 28, 2024)

Supervision

Dr. Kunimitsu Masuda, Director of Masuda Animal Clinic
Masuda Animal Clinic
3-918-9 Mukuya, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University. He is a part-time lecturer at the Renaissance Pet Academy, a vocational school, and a lecturer at the Japan Pet Massage Association and the Pet Medicinal Food International Association. Participated in rescue activities for animals affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition to general Western medicine, work on animal health through acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, Chinese medicine, pet massage, etc.

1Reasons why your dog won't eat and what to do about it

 

poor health or illness

The most important thing to watch out for when it comes to your dog's lack of appetite is poor health or illness.
In addition to loss of appetite, be careful if you experience any of the following symptoms: Please keep an eye on it as it may be infected with some kind of disease.

・Do not drink water
If you don't eat or even drink water, your whole body may be in poor condition. In addition to malignant tumors and severe infections, it may also be a painful disease such as a herniated disc. Because there are many times when every moment counts,Avoid self-diagnosis and go to the hospital immediately.

・Vomiting
If you vomit even though there is nothing in your stomach, there may be something wrong with your stomach or other digestive system. Vomiting may also occur if you have a chronic liver or kidney disease that develops into dysfunction. In addition, people may vomit when they try to throw up something they accidentally swallowed.
If you have vomitingInstead of forcing your dog to eat food, it is best to go to a veterinary hospital and have the state of his internal organs checked.

・Have diarrhea
If you have diarrhea even though you haven't eaten much, your intestines may be damaged in some way by a bacterial infection, tumor, or ingestion of a foreign object.If symptoms of diarrhea are observed for a long period of time and are accompanied by weight loss, there is a possibility of chronic enteropathy or immune disease.. Please keep an eye on your pet and, if necessary, take your pet to a veterinary hospital.

・I'm not feeling well
If your child does not respond when you call them, is lying motionless in a corner of the room, or is somewhat dazed, he or she may have a fever or be injured.
Also,When you experience discomfort or pain in your mouth due to stomatitis or periodontal disease, you may lose energy and lose your appetite.. Periodontal disease is especially common in dogs, and if left untreated, the gums and jawbone will dissolve, making it extremely difficult for dogs to eat. In addition to brushing your dog's teeth frequently, we recommend regular visits to the veterinarian for oral care.

Even if your dog has the symptoms listed above, if your dog is eating a decent amount of snacks and playing as usual, it may be a good idea to keep an eye on him for a while. However, if your dog does not accept any food or appears listless, please take him to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

\What are the signs of illness or poor health in dogs?/

stress

Dogs are sensitive and easily get stressed, and stress can cause them to lose their appetite.
Changes in the environment such as ``I moved and moved to a different place than before,'' ``I now have more dogs living with me,'' and new ones, such as ``I put them in a pet hotel for the first time,'' and ``I met a dog I've never met before.'' Lack of stimulation and communication with the owner can cause stress.
If you notice unusual behavior such as looking away, licking your paws, or licking your tongue, it's a sign that your dog is stressed.. Consciously increase the number of times you communicate with them to reassure them.

 

aging

As dogs get older, their muscle strength, metabolism, and digestive function decline, and they eat less. This is a symptom of aging, and to some extent, it is unavoidable. If your dog is not eating as much as he did when he was younger, it does not necessarily mean that it is a serious problem.

However,If your pet's daily food intake has been significantly reduced and it is clearly losing weight due to a lack of calories, try changing the food content and the way you feed it to ensure it gets the nutrients it needs.Try to split your meals into several small meals and provide a table where you can eat in a comfortable position.
Also, even if your pet cannot eat dry food, it may be able to eat snacks or drink water. In such cases, try softening the dry food with water or giving them a complete nutritional snack. It may also be a good idea to give them their favorite snack.

food doesn't suit me

When transitioning from a puppy to an adult dog to a senior dog, or when a dog becomes pregnant, feed a diet that is appropriate for each life stage. At this time, the amount of food you eat may drop because you don't like the new diet.
If your pet is active but refuses to eat, leave food out for a while and then remove it after a certain amount of time has passed.If you still can't increase your eating, you might try adding toppings like furikake or snacks that are complete nutritional foods.

Also, dogs have different personalities, some will eat anything and some are picky eaters. If your dog only eats treats and avoids meals, try giving them less treats and encouraging them to eat more. To avoid having trouble with the timing of the switch, it's a good idea to get them used to a variety of flavors by giving them toppings such as sprinkles.

note that,Steps to make transitions between meals go smoothly. Instead of switching everything all at once, try mixing the new rice with the previous one and gradually increasing the amount of the new rice.

selfishness and spoiledness

If your pet only wants other people's food, only eats snacks, or only eats the toppings on its food, it may be that their appetite has decreased due to selfishness or spoilage.
After experiencing things like ``When I went without eating, I received my favorite treat'' or ``When I went near someone while they were eating, and received something tastier than dog food,'' a smart dog will repeat the same behavior as before. You will start trying to get what you want.

As a countermeasure,Serve food at the appointed time, and clear it away after a certain amount of time has passed, even if the child doesn't eat it.Also, be sure not to give them treats or other people's food.
By learning new things like, ``If you don't eat what's served at mealtime, you'll get hungry,'' and ``Just because you don't eat doesn't mean you always get a snack,'' you will be able to eat properly at mealtime. You can expect that they will start eating.

2How to prevent loss of appetite in your dog

 

Strive to maintain health and prevent illness

In order to prevent your dog from losing appetite, it is important to keep your dog healthy and prevent major illnesses. When your appetite decreases due to illness, you have to restore your appetite while treating the illness, and things often don't go as planned.
Let's assess your dog's condition during daily interactions so that you can prevent appetite loss through early detection and early treatment.

 

do moderate exercise

If I don't move my body, I don't get hungry and my appetite is not strong.It is important to ensure your dog gets enough exercise through daily walks and play.We also recommend giving your dog fun exercise opportunities at dog runs, exploring new walking routes, and giving them new toys.

Recommended products for dogs with poor appetite

  • Health Program Food Crusher Handy
    Just press it to easily break down food and snacks. Recommended for breaking down food that is too big for children who can't eat it well, or for crushing snacks to add to their food. Make your child's mealtimes more comfortable with just a little effort!
  • Plact Comprehensive nutritional food Chicken fillet paste
    A complete nutritional paste snack packed with all the nutrients you need for the day. Not only can it be used as a topping, but it is also recommended as a food substitute when you don't have an appetite. Contains "plasma lactic acid bacteria" to maintain your health and take care of your immune system just by eating it.

3Your dog's loss of appetite may be a sign that you should reconsider your daily routine.

There are various reasons for a dog's loss of appetite, and the treatment varies depending on the cause. Even if the reason seems cute, such as being spoiled or selfish, if left untreated, it can lead to poor eating habits and have a negative impact on your dog's health.

Also, loss of appetite can be a sign of a serious illness. It is dangerous to make a self-diagnosis when your dog is showing other symptoms besides loss of appetite, such as diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking water, or lethargy. If your normally energetic dog loses its appetite, observe him closely and take appropriate measures as soon as possible.
If you notice any symptoms that concern you, we recommend that you visit your pet's regular hospital as soon as possible and seek the advice of a veterinarian.

4
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog Anorexia Q&A

What are the main reasons why dogs won't eat?
The main reasons why dogs don't eat are poor health, illness, stress, aging, incompatibility with food, selfishness, being spoiled, etc. If your dog shows symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, it may be sick, so please take him to the vet as soon as possible.


How can I prevent my dog from losing appetite?
A lack of appetite in dogs can be serious if it is caused by illness or poor health. Be aware of your dog's physical condition through your daily interactions and pay attention to its health.
Also, if they stay indoors all the time, they will not get enough exercise and will not get hungry, so it is important to ensure they get enough exercise by taking them for walks and playing with them every day.


What to do when your dog stops eating?
If your dog stops eating dog food, try topping it with his favorite treats or sprinkles. A food crusher can easily break down food into small pieces, or crush treats to sprinkle on top, so it's convenient to have one. In addition, complete nutritional snacks allow your dog to get all the necessary nutrients evenly, so make good use of them to avoid nutritional imbalances.
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