{"id":65,"date":"2020-04-07T10:50:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T09:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tailsdogblog.com\/?p=65"},"modified":"2022-03-30T11:53:00","modified_gmt":"2022-03-30T10:53:00","slug":"what-to-do-when-dog-wont-eat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/what-to-do-when-dog-wont-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Reasons Your Dog Has No Appetite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From illness and overfeeding, to behavioural problems or a new routine, there are lots of reasons your dog might stop eating. Most of the time, they\u2019re back to wolfing down their food within a couple of days – but we know it can be a bit worrying if your pup suddenly stops eating, so we\u2019ve put together some of the reasons they might be refusing their dinner, so you know how to get them back to their usual self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the reasons they\u2019re not eating?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just like us humans, dogs will often eat less in the summer – we simply don\u2019t want big meals when we\u2019re all hot and bothered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A new routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dogs love routine! If you\u2019ve disrupted your dog\u2019s normal routine, this might have left them feeling a bit upside down and off their food. A new baby, a new pet or a sudden change in climate (like working from home or extended school holidays) can throw your usual routine out the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A change in surroundings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travelling to a new place or moving house can cause some dogs to feel anxious or uncomfortable, so they might lose their appetite whilst they adjust to their new environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Overfeeding<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feeding portions that are too big or lots of treats and snacks throughout the day might mean your dog just isn\u2019t hungry! Try to make sure your dog has a set amount of food each day so when you get to the next mealtime, they\u2019re excited to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food preferences<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some dogs simply prefer the taste of certain foods – but they\u2019re also very clever and they know how to get what they want! If you\u2019ve switched foods recently, it\u2019s worth sticking it out for a few days to rule out fussy behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Medication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not feeling hungry can be a side effect of lots of different medications. If your dog has just started on some new medicine, or has just had their annual vaccinations, they might be feeling a dip in appetite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental or emotional issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, dogs can suffer from changes in emotions just as much as humans can. Stress, anxiety and depression can all affect your dog\u2019s appetite. Stress and anxiety might be caused by humans, animals, environment or objects, whilst depression is often linked to boredom, separation anxiety or the loss of a fellow dog or their owner. If you think your dog might be suffering from stress, anxiety or depression, we\u2019d recommend having a chat with your vet to get them back on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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dog mental issues<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Illness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lots of illnesses can put your dog off their dinner, but it\u2019s usually something very common like an upset tummy or something they ate (probably during those 5 minutes they disappeared when out for walkies!). It might also be a sign of something a bit more serious like dental disease, pain or kidney problems, but it\u2019s definitely best to check with your vet if you suspect something else is going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So… what to do if your dog stops eating?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to get their appetite back is to try and figure out the cause of the problem first! Give your dog a bit of a check up – examine their behaviour, teeth and body for any obvious signs that they might not be feeling okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s nothing obvious, but the behaviour is quite sudden and lasts for more than a couple of days, it\u2019s a good time to give your vet a call. They can help you to work out if it\u2019s something you can treat at home, or if you need to take your dog in for a check up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can\u2019t find anything wrong or your pup is in perfect health? Here\u2019s a few tips to get them eating again:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n