Will a dog stop eating when it s full
Why Wont My Dog Eat?
It can be very concerning when your dog isnt eating regularly. After all, a good, healthy diet is a key part of a happy life. So what exactly is happening when your dog refuses to eat? Learn about some common, plus some lesser-known, reasons why your dog might not be eating.
Illness
The most likely reason your dog isnt eating runs parallel to the main reason humans dont eat at times. Theyre sick, suggests Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, senior veterinarian at The Animal Medical Center in New York. You dont feel like eating when you have a fever. You feel like lying down and taking a nap. Dogs are the same. Often they have a virus, they dont eat for a couple of days, and then they get better.
However, if your dog is not eating and is either vomiting, having diarrhea, or both, contact your veterinarian within 8-12 hours. In the interim, you can try the following to spur their appetite:
- Warm up your dogs food in the microwave
- Pour dog-safe chicken broth orbeef broth over the food to make it more appealing
- Pour warm water over dry food to make it softer
- Feeding your dog dry food if they usually only eat wet food (or vice-versa)
- Try hand-feeding, as social eaters might just want attention
- In serious cases, your vet could prescribe a medication that could induce eating
Dr. Hohenhaus affirms that dental disease is rarely to blame for a dog not eating. But she does note that if the dog has a tumor in their mouth, that might cause them to stop eating.
Medications
Has your dog recently been put on a new medication? That drug and/or regimen change might be upsetting their stomachs.
Treatment of a disease can make you not eat, says Dr. Hohenhaus. Antibiotics can give you a stomachache. Some medicines make you nauseous. Potential culprits, she adds, could be chemotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Rimadyl.
Social or Emotional Issues
Just as a major life change like moving to a new city, changing jobs, or a breakup can affect your appetite, an upheaval in a dogs life can cause anxiety and affect their hunger as well.
Dr. Hohenhaus has even witnessed a canine patient stop eating after being re-homed following the death of her owner. She was on a bit of a hunger strike, and I think it was because her life was upside-down, says Dr. Hohenhaus. There are two kinds of people. When your life is all upset, either you eat a lot, or you eat nothing because youre distracted by whats going on in your life. I would say the same is true for dogs.
Owner Absence
If it seems like your dog doesnt eat or drink when youre gone, but they scarf down their food when you arrive home, know that its probably not just your imagination.
Dogs are pack animals. When youre gone, their pack is not at home. Theyre waiting for the pack to be there to eat, says Dr. Hohenhaus.
Time of Day
Some dogs only eat during specific times of the day. Maybe your pup only likes to chow down at noon, or perhaps they only finish the contents of their bowl after the sun goes down.
No matter what your dogs preferences are, eating at the same time each day is common practice. If they only eat during one time of day, its likely nothing to worry about. I have preferred times to eat, and dogs do too, says Dr. Hohenhaus.
Food Preferences
Your pups shift in eating habits might also be because the formula of their regular dog food has recently changed. To combat this potential issue, Dr. Hohenhaus suggests not always feeding your dog the same type of food.
If you look at the bag and it says new and improved, that might not be your dogs opinion of that food, notes Dr. Hohenhaus. What that means is the manufacturer has changed the food, and your dog might not like the new version. Its good to have an alternative in case that food goes off the market, gets recalled, or it gets improved and your dog no longer likes it.
Another reason why your dog might not be eating? The food has gone stale. Check the use-by or expiration date on the bag or even just follow your nose. If it has expired or smells weird, throw out that food and buy a new bag. A good rule of thumb is to buy bags of dog food roughly the size of your dog. For instance, buy one five-pound bag for your five-pound dog.
You probably shouldnt buy a 50-pound bag of dog food for a five-pound dog because, by the time you get to the bottom of the bag, the food is going to be rancid, says Dr. Hohenhaus. If the dog food doesnt smell good, you might want to start over again.
When to Seek Help If Your Dog Isnt Eating
In cases where your dog stops eating but then resumes a few days later, it might be nothing to get concerned about. But if it doesnt clear up relatively quickly and you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, it might be time to seek professional help. If your dog goes a couple of days without eating and nothing else is wrongno vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, no having accidentsthen Im not that worried about it, says Dr. Hohenhaus.
As mentioned above, however, if your dog is not eating and is either vomiting, having diarrhea, or both, contact your veterinarian within 8-12 hours. Dr. Hohenhaus also raises concerns about a fluctuating appetite. If you notice a marked change in your dogs eating habits, a visit to the vet might be your best bet, as well.
Why Is My Dog Not Eating?
A dog not eating or eating less than usual isnt always a sign that something is wrong, but you definitely want to rule out underlying conditions before shrugging it off.
Why Wont Dogs Eat?
Your dogs appetite is regulated by a complex mechanism that involves their brain, the fullness and distention of their stomach and intestines, and specific hormones. Appetite can be altered by medical conditions, behavioral conditions, environmental changes, or issues with the food itself.
When a dog has no appetite and isnt eating food, this is called anorexia. Anorexia in dogs is not the same as anorexia nervosa in humans. When the dog has a decreased appetite but still eats some food, we call this hyporexia. If your dog has a normal appetite but physically cant eat, this is called pseudoanorexia.
When your dog isnt eating, your veterinarian must differentiate between conditions causing a lack of appetite and conditions causing an inability to eat.
How Long Can a Dog Go Without Food?
Most adult dogs can go three to five days without eating as long as theyre still drinking water. This doesnt mean you should sit idle while your dog isnt eating for several days! If your adult dog hasnt eaten for two days but is otherwise acting normal, contact your veterinarian.
An exception to this rule is a dog diagnosed with diabetes. If your diabetic dog is skipping any meals, contact your veterinarian, because this lack of food may adversely affect their response to insulin.
Young puppies need to eat more often. Puppies skipping meals run the risk of developing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Nursing puppies need to eat every two to four hours depending on their age. Puppies closer to two months generally need to eat at least three times per day.
If your puppy skips a normal meal and still seems uninterested in eating a few hours later, contact your veterinarian immediately, especially if theyre acting unlike themselves, vomiting, or having diarrhea.
Can You Stimulate Appetite in Dogs?
Yes, you can try to stimulate your dogs appetite at home by offering their favorite treats, making boiled chicken and rice, or warming up their food.
Your veterinarian may prescribe medications, if needed, to stimulate their appetite, including mirtazapine and capromorelin (Entyce). In some cases, they may prescribe antinausea medications such as maropitant (Cerenia). Use only medications prescribed by your veterinarian.
Reasons Why a Dog Is Not Eating Their Food
Medical
The list of medical conditions that could decrease your dogs food consumption is extensive. Below is a list of general categories of medical conditions that could cause anorexia or hyporexia in dogs, and examples of each.
Gastrointestinal disease: Parvovirus, dietary indiscretion causing stomach upset, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), stomach ulcers, or constipation.
Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract: Foreign object obstruction such as a toy ball stuck in the stomach.
Organ dysfunction and systemic illness: Kidney failure, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), liver disease or hepatitis, or pancreatitis.
Dental disease: Periodontal disease or fractured teeth.
Tumors or cancer: Masses in the mouth or back of the throat, stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, large abdominal masses, or lymphoma.
Orthopedic: Arthritis making it difficult to lower their head to the food bowl, or hip dysplasia causing walking to the food bowl painful.
New medications: Almost any new medication can affect appetite.
If youre noticing a decreased appetite but your dog seems otherwise healthy, contact your veterinarian for an appointment. In the meantime, you can try the following to encourage your pup to eat:
Ensure access to clean water at all times
Try heating their food in the microwave
Offer warmed canned food
Add warmed water to dry food
Put dog-safe broth on their food (no garlic or onions, low-sodium)
Offer boiled chicken and rice
If your dog is also vomiting or having diarrhea, acting lethargic, has a tense or distended abdomen, or yelps when their abdomen is touched, contact an emergency vet for guidance.
When your dog isnt eating, your veterinarian must differentiate between conditions causing a lack of appetite and conditions causing an inability to eat.
Behavioral
Dogs experience similar emotions and mental health conditions as humans. Examples of behavioral causes for decreased appetite may include:
If your dog is having severe enough behavioral concerns that its affecting their eating, contact your vet. For some dogs, medications like fluoxetine or trazodone may be necessary to help manage their condition.
In the meantime, you can support your pet by:
Avoiding any obvious triggers for their anxiety
Providing them with a safe space, such as giving them a room of their own when visitors are present
Using calming pheromones
Ensuring theyre getting plenty of exercise
Supplying toys that provide mental stimulation
Age
Healthy senior dogs have a lower calorie requirement than younger pups, so you may notice a slight decrease in appetite as your dog gets older. However, age is not a reason for a dog to become anorexic. A significant change in your senior dogs appetite is a reason to contact your veterinarian.
When supporting your senior dogs appetite at home, consider:
Using a raised food bowl if theyre having trouble reaching their food
Offer them food by hand
Place a nonslip mat around their bowls to avoid falls
Offer softer foods so they can easily chew
Feeding at scheduled times of day to help with cognitive decline
Environmental Changes
Environmental changes play into your pets emotional well-being. Significant changes to the home environment can cause stress and anxiety, which in turn affect appetite. This includes:
Moving to a new home
Adding a new pet or new child
Having houseguests
Construction in the home
Rearranging the furniture
Moving food and water bowls
To reduce your pets stress and anxiety, try to:
Make introductions to new pets and children slowly
Provide a safe space for your dog when they want time alone
Reduce the movement of their food and water bowls so there is routine and consistency
Use dog pheromones to reduce anxiety
Problems With Your Dogs Food
If your dog has routinely eaten the same food and now shows no interest in it, make sure to check for the following:
Some dogs are picky and prefer a specific type of food, refusing to eat any other kind. If youve switched from wet food to kibble or vice versa and your pet stops eating, it could be as simple as switching back to the original food.
If your dog remains uninterested in food, especially into a second day, contact your veterinarian for an evaluation.
Other dogs know how to play their pet parents, so theyll refuse their meal if they know youll give them something better. Make sure your dog isnt overeating treats. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dogs calories.
What To Do When Your Dog Is Not Eating
If your dog isnt eating but is still drinking and otherwise acting normal, refer to the above potential reasons for why your dog may have a sudden lack of interest in eating. You can try warming their food, offering a different food, boiling rice and chicken, or offering treats to see if you can encourage them to eat. Make sure to consider whether your dog is experiencing any stressors.
When To Call Your Vet
If your dog remains uninterested in food, especially into a second day, contact your veterinarian for an evaluation. If your dog has diabetes or is a puppy, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If your dog has no appetite but is drinking excessive amounts of water, this may be a reason to seek emergency attention. For example, they could be experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis. At a minimum, call your veterinarian for advice.
Your Puppy Is Not Eating
Puppies cannot go as long as adult dogs without food. If your puppy is skipping meals, contact your veterinarian. If this is accompanied by vomiting and/or diarrhea, the number one issue to rule out in a puppy would be parvovirus. With severe signs, this could require emergency care.
FAQs
Do dogs go through phases of not eating?
No. Dogs do not typically go through phases of not eating, but they may experience a decreased appetite due to a medical condition, stress, fear, or anxiety. Changes to their home environment may also cause a temporary reduction in appetite.
Why wont my dog eat his food but will eat treats?
In some cases, your dog wont eat their food but eats treats because theyve learned that refusing to eat dinner means they get the good stuff. However, if your dog is always refusing food and only occasionally taking some treats, make sure to contact your veterinarian to rule out medical conditions. Sometimes, even a sick dog cant say no to treats.
Are there home remedies for a sick dog who isnt eating?
If your dog is acting sick and not eating, your veterinarian may recommend that you try boiled chicken and rice at home while you await an appointment. Talk with your veterinarian before relying on home remedies for your pet who has no appetite.
Featured Image:ChristopherBernard/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
WRITTEN BY
Rhiannon Koehler, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Rhiannon Koehler is a veterinarian and freelance medical writer. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public...
