Dogs Not Eating

If your dog usually has a very good appetite but suddenly stops eating, it may or may not be a cause for concern. Many of us consider our dog a close family member, so we want to do what is best to help him stay healthy in any situation. There actually are many reasons why your dog may have stopped eating. It is best to attempt to find the reason and correct it as soon as possible. This may include contacting your veterinarian and/or making some changes at home as well. A few of the most common reasons and suggestions on how to properly correct them are listed below.

Non-hungry Dog by vidalia_11

The most serious reason would be if your dog was medically ill from a disease of some sort. Usually if this is the case, not eating would be accompanied by other symptoms too. Diarrhea, vomiting, listlessness, passing blood in the urine and/or feces are the most common. This should be viewed as a red flag, and you should immediately seek veterinarian assistance. Many times these symptoms coupled with not eating can be a sign of liver disease, kidney failure, bloating, blockages, and even cancer. Do not delay in getting your dog help.

If your dog has just stopped eating but still is drinking, acting energetic and friendly, and urinating and defecating properly, there may be an environmental reason to his disinterest in food. Consider his environment for a moment. Has there been any kind of change that may have bothered him? One of the most common is if he was recently relocated to a new home. He may not be familiar with the new surroundings yet. Another common reason is if there has been a new dog or puppy introduced into his environment recently. This can also include a cat, bird, new baby, new husband or wife, etc. He may just be a bit confused and untrusting of the new person or animal and just needs some time to make the adjustment. He will eat when he becomes hungry enough.

If neither of these reasons pertain to your dog, consider his age too. If he is an older or senior dog, he may just be having trouble eating. Often the food can seem too hard or too large as a dog ages. You may consider trying softened or smaller pieces of food to see if this resolves the problem. You may also want to see if your dog will allow you to check his teeth. He may have broken a tooth or it is quite possible that one is painful. If this is the case, see your veterinarian on what your next step may be to get the tooth or teeth taken care of properly.

Last thing and often overlooked, is the fact that the dog may just not like the food any longer. If it is something that has been given to him for a while, he may be bored. Can you imaging if you had to eat chicken or beef EVERY day? Try something different. If the food that he is refusing is new, try and mix it with some of his old food gradually reducing the amount of his old food in the bowl. Hopefully, that will take care of the situation at hand.

We all love our dogs and want what is best for him. If your dog suddenly stops eating, don't panic. As you can see, there are valid, simple, easy to rectify solutions in most instances. If your dog is unfortunately seriously ill, make sure you provide him with superior veterinarian care. Because you were an observant dog owner, chances are your dog will soon be back to his old self.

About the Author
Kelly Marshall is a featured contributor at ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog halloween costumes, dog steps, and more unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.

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