Dog Not Eating? Don’t Panic – A Vet Breaks Down The Common Causes

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It’s never nice when your canine companion turns their nose up at their food. As a pet parent, it’s natural to assume there’s something really wrong and phone the vet or compile a buffet of food favorites to tempt them. But what does it mean if your dog is not eating? What are the possible causes, and what should you do? I share tips on what to look for and how to get your pup back to eating his meals with gusto.

Loss Of Appetite In Dogs

Loss of appetite in dogs is a very common symptom and can refer to your dog being a little more picky than usual or losing their appetite completely. Sometimes, an apparent loss of appetite isn’t a symptom of any medical problem, just fussiness or a dislike of the current dog food offering. However, appetite loss may also signal a wide range of health problems.

Why Is My Dog Not Eating? 5 Possible Reasons

If your dog won’t eat, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unwell. Ask yourself whether they’re behaving normally or showing any other symptoms of being poorly, and try offering them something else (that’s pet-safe!) to eat. If they’re very keen to eat the new food, wagging their tail, and raring to go for a walk or play, there’s unlikely to be too much wrong with them. However, not eating can be a sign of the following types of health problems:

1. Nausea

Just like humans, if dogs feel sick, they usually don’t feel like eating. Of course, if your dog has been vomiting, you’ll probably make the association that they’re feeling sick and don’t want to eat, but other signs of nausea include dribbling excessively and retching or gagging. Nausea can be caused by many health conditions, including stomach upset, gastroenteritis, motion sickness, toxin ingestion, pancreatitis, and liver or kidney disease, and some medications can help if you speak to your veterinarian.

2. Fever

If your dog has a high temperature, they might not have much of an appetite. So, that means if their body is fighting a viral or bacterial infection or has widespread inflammation, they’re likely to go off their food. Often, there’ll be other symptoms as well as a poor appetite, like a cough, blood in the urine, diarrhea, or a discharging abscess, although some infections might not be so obvious.

3. Mouth Pain

If your dog has a fractured or infected tooth, gum disease, gingivitis, ulcers, or a growth in their mouth, they might not want to eat because it causes them pain. As well as a reduced appetite, you might see them dribbling, bleeding from their mouth, or rubbing their face. If the cause is infection, they might also have halitosis (bad breath).

4. General Pain

It’s not just oral pain that could make your furry friend think twice about eating. A dog may refuse to eat if they associate their food with stomach pain. Abdominal pain or even severe pain elsewhere could put them off their dinner. Look out for other symptoms associated with pain, like limping, groaning, whining, praying position, licking, or poor mobility.

5. Trouble Eating Or Swallowing

It could be that your dog wants to eat, but they can’t. Problems with the teeth, mouth, or jaw could make it more difficult for them to pick up or chew food, and issues with the throat or esophagus could make it hard for them to swallow. If you notice they’re struggling to eat, dribbling, regurgitating, or dropping food, speak to your veterinarian.

Other common medical issues that cause a dog not to eat include parasites, swallowing something they shouldn’t, and even side effects from medications or vaccinations. Food intolerances, allergies, and a sensitive stomach can also be reasons a dog may not want to eat.

What Should I Do If My Dog Refuses To Eat?

If your dog refuses to eat, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything serious is going on. Look out for other symptoms of them being unwell or in pain, and try offering them a different dog food or a couple of dog treats.

Any time a dog is not eating and is losing weight, or their coat starts looking poorly, it’s time to see the veterinarian. Unfortunately, many owners mistakenly correlate their dog losing weight with their dog refusing to eat. A healthy dog won’t starve himself, no matter how picky he may be. Unless your dog is on a diet, losing weight is likely to be a medical issue that needs addressing. Need to book an affordable vet in a hurry? Check out Vetster, an online platform that allows you to speak to a veterinarian via video, chat, or voice anytime – day or night.

Below, I explain four common situations owners have with dogs who won’t eat.

1. My Dog Is Not Eating Food But Eats Treats

If your dog is otherwise well, showing no other symptoms, and wolfing down treats with no trouble, they might just be fussy or hoping for something tastier. Try not to cave every time they turn their nose up at their food, though, as this is likely to encourage them to be fussy, and you might end up changing their dog food every week.

Choose a dog food that contains everything they need and one they seem to like. Try to stick to that. It’s also a good idea to pick up their food bowl after half an hour to prevent grazing, then wait until the next mealtime to feed them again. This will ensure that they’re hungrier for their next meal.

Our Personal Experience With A Dog That Won’t Eat Food But Eats Treats

“My dog Georgie has experienced food allergies, so we’ve tried several brands over the years. We finally found one that doesn’t upset his tummy, but he doesn’t seem to want to eat it unless I sprinkle crushed-up treats on top of it. Once I add the treat topper he will gobble it right up!”

– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier Dog Parent, Canine Journal Creative & Marketing

2. Dog Is Not Eating, But Is Drinking Water

Your dog can go longer without food than they can without water. If your dog isn’t eating or drinking anything for twenty-four hours, you should make an appointment to take them to the vet clinic. On the other hand, if they are still drinking and seem okay, you could wait a little longer to see if they improve. You should never let your dog go longer than 48 hours without eating. You should take them to visit a vet as soon as possible.

3. My Dog Is Not Eating And Is Throwing Up

If your dog is vomiting, they’re likely to become dehydrated and weak more quickly. Therefore, you should get them checked by a vet sooner rather than later, especially if they can’t keep water down or they’re acting sick.

4. My Dog Won’t Eat Or Drink Anything

If your dog isn’t eating or drinking and isn’t interested in moving around, this requires an urgent vet visit. It could mean that your poor pooch has become dehydrated and is unable to stand because they’re so weak, or it could be that pain or another underlying condition is causing them to be very lethargic. A veterinarian can examine them, do any required testing, and prescribe medication to make them feel better.

Can Pet Insurance Help?

If your dog isn’t eating, there’s a strong chance they will need to see a vet. An exam for this can easily be a couple of hundred dollars or more, depending on the tests the vet runs and what is discovered. Pet insurance can help cover the cost of diagnostic tests. Not every pet insurance provider covers exam fees for accidents and illnesses, so check out the last column of our comparison table and be sure to check the policy before signing up for coverage if this is important to you.

Tempt Your Dog Back To His Bowl: 10 Tips To Entice Dogs To Eat

Once you have ruled out any underlying medical issues, you can tempt your pup back to his bowl in a few other ways. If your dog is turning up their nose at mealtime, don’t panic—there are plenty of creative ways to reignite their appetite. We surveyed 500 dog owners and consulted with an animal behaviorist to find the best solutions for dogs that refuse to eat. In this section, I share simple yet effective tips from our research to make your dog’s food more enticing, from flavor boosters to mealtime routines that can spark their interest.

1. Swap Over To A Tastier Food

The solution to getting your fussy dog to eat could be as simple as swapping over to a new food. Unfortunately, your dog can’t talk. Just bark. By refusing to eat his food, your dog could be trying to tell you that he doesn’t like the taste. Try a new flavor, add some tasty wet or fresh food, or try a different protein. Adding bone broth to your pup’s kibble can soften it and add a ton of flavor. Even if you can’t afford more expensive dog food, there are many ways to turn up the flavor in Fido’s bowl and get him back to eating his food happily.

The good news is that tastier food doesn’t have to be more expensive. Many finicky dog owners report success with swapping over to a cheaper variety – cheap doesn’t necessarily mean tasteless! That was the case for Chop, a fussy Bulldog. On a tight budget, Chop’s owner swapped over from Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula to Iams Chicken Flavor. Chop took to the new food immediately, and his owner saved money by switching to a cheaper brand.

Try Fish-Based Dog Food

Interestingly, quite a few fussy dog owners reported success when switching over to fish-based dog food. They noted that the stinky fish flavors, such as salmon, tuna, or whitehead, were much more likely to be gobbled up than traditional flavors, such as beef or chicken.

The following were the 5 most recommended fish flavors by our fussy dog owners:

• Crave Salmon & Ocean Fish
• Acana Freshwater Fish
• Purina True Instinct With Real Salmon & Tuna
• Ziwi Mackerel & Lamb

For more ideas, check out our picks for the best dog foods for picky eaters. You can also consider vegan dog food, which has been a game-changer for many pups with sensitive tummies.

You can also try a food topper such as Native Pet Bone Broth, Marie’s Magical Dinner Dust, or Pedigree Choice Cuts. Salmon oil is another tasty meal topper that contains Omega 3, which provides many health benefits. For more information, check out our salmon oil review. Freeze-dried dog foods are another great idea for a nutritious and tasty topper for your picky pup.

The video below shows how one of our team members’ pups benefits from adding Pet Honesty salmon oil to her diet.

2. Exercise Your Pup

It’s no secret that exercising is a great way to build up an appetite. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving by the time I complete my morning jog. But what may surprise you is that you can use exercise to get a picky dog to eat his food. This is especially true of high-energy dogs like Fox Terriers, Dalmatians, and German Shepherds.

You see, exercise makes dogs hungry. As you might have guessed, a hungry dog isn’t a fussy dog. One of the easiest ways to exercise your dog is to go for a nice long walk – Walking is good for you, too!

If you already walk your dog, try upping the distance. Picky dog owners we spoke to saw the most success when they walked their pooch for 45 minutes or longer before dinner.

Don’t have time for a walk? There are other ways you can exercise your dog…

1. Test your strength with a tug of war with a tug toy
2. A long game of fetch with a dog tennis ball
3. Toss a plush dog toy around indoors when the weather is bad.

In some cases, you may even be able to get your dog to exercise himself. Herding dogs, like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, will entertain themselves for hours with a herding ball. Whichever way you exercise your dog, the focus is on tiring him out. After your dog has burned off his excess energy, it’s time to refuel. And because his meal is the only food available, he will be more likely to eat it.

For the best results, don’t offer your dog his food immediately after exercising. Give him at least 15 minutes for his stomach to settle.

3. Turn Feeding Time Into A Game

Picky eaters often play with their food instead of eating it. With the help of a good feeding toy, you can get your dog to do both. Feeding toys combine play with eating. And for toy-obsessed pups, they are a great way to convince a dog to eat his food. A treat-dispensing toy or snuffle mat can be a fantastic tool to get your picky pup to eat.

Unfortunately, feeding toys only hold a limited amount of food. While this may not be a problem for a small dog like a Boston Terrier, it presents an issue for bigger dogs.

Large breeds like Rottweilers or Mastiffs may need as much as 10 cups of kibble per day. Constantly refilling a feeding toy with this amount of food would be a full-time job – it just isn’t practical. But for small/medium breeds, a feeding toy could be the very thing you need to get your dog to eat his meal.

What About Puppies?

Do you have a fussy puppy? You can take advantage of his playful nature to get him to eat his food. Sit by your puppy and sprinkle dried dog food on the ground, a little at a time. As your puppy eats a piece, add another one further away. Because your playful pup thinks this is a game, he will be more likely to take to his food.

It may take quite a few sessions, but once he has a taste for his food, you can transition to a bowl. This method can be a little messy, so it’s best to do it outside. If you want to feed inside, grab a good broom and sweep up after mealtime is over – there is nothing worse than feeling pieces of kibble crunch underfoot.

4. Make Your Dog Work For It

I don’t know about you, but I find that the rewards I work the hardest for are the most satisfying. Your dog feels the same. He will be considerably more likely to eat his food if he has to work for it.

A short session of Shake, Roll Over, or any other trick will have your dog expecting a reward for his hard work. It’s at this point that you offer your fussy dog his meal. Many picky eaters get so caught up in being rewarded that they forget they would normally reject this meal.

The key here is to make your dog think his reward is a big deal. Shower your pup with praise and pats while offering him the meal. If you can get your dog excited enough, he will believe this meal is the best thing that has ever happened to him – He will eat his food without a second thought.

5. Routine, Routine, Routine

Consistency is key. If your dog has an inconsistent eating schedule, then he will likely inconsistently eat his food, too. Dogs are just like babies. They love routine. Sometimes, just switching to a different bowl, like a slow feeder, can be enough to turn your pup off his food.

A healthy feeding routine for a fussy dog should include:

1. Feeding them the same type of food.
2. Feeding the same amount.
3. Use the same dog bowl.
4. Feed your dog at the same time.
5. Always feed your dog in the same location.

With a good routine in place, you may find your picky eater just needs a little consistency in his life.

It is also important to be sure you are not over or underfeeding your pup. We cover how much to feed your dog here. Also, make sure the food you are feeding them is not spoiled and is of high quality. Don’t spoil your dog’s appetite. Cut back on treats, snacks, and human foods to keep your pup interested in his food and on a healthy diet.

6. Pretend To Eat Your Dog’s Food

Dogs always want to eat their owner’s snacks, so why not use this to get them to eat their own food? A special thank you to our participant, Meagan, who told us how she used this unique trick to get a fussy dog to eat. After reading our guide on how to get a dog to take a pill, she found the easiest solution was to pretend to eat it. Her Shih Tzu would happily swallow a pill, thinking it was human food.

Meagan took this concept a step further when she fostered a fussy Havanese named Elon. As you might have guessed, Elon refused to eat his food. The solution? She grabbed a bag of kibble and pretended to eat it like it was a bag of chips.

Hiding the kibble in her hand, she would reach back into the bag and pretend to grab another piece. Every minute or so, she would offer the Havanese a single piece of kibble. Thinking he had hit the jackpot, Elon would frantically gobble it down. Meagan then poured the kibble into Elon’s bowl. Instead of rejecting it, he finished the whole meal! It’s funny to think that pretending to eat kibble could be the solution to your picky pup!

7. Create A Safe Eating Space

Is your dog easily distracted or stressed? Maybe your dog isn’t being picky. Turns out, he just can’t focus on his dinner. Some dogs will refuse to eat if thunderstorms or fireworks trigger their anxiety. Many owners report that they solved this with a thunder vest. Other dogs get anxious while their owner is away. In these instances, a dog may not eat his food until his owner returns. Here, you’ll need to treat your dog’s separation anxiety.

Similarly, distractions can also stop a dog from eating his meal. If you are showering your dog with attention or you have a young child demanding to play with the dog, it can be hard to focus on eating. Likewise, it’s hard to focus on eating when an aggressive dog is nearby.

Finally, eating in a new location can stress a dog to the point where he will reject his meal. Let’s say you are on vacation. Not only does he need to get used to his new collapsible silicone dog bowl, but he is in an entirely new environment with different sights and smells, too. How can your pup focus on eating with all that change?

In all these instances, creating a comfortable, quiet eating area can go a long way to fixing picky eating. Try to set aside a space that is private, with no distractions. You can try a pair of noise-canceling headphones, too, if your pup is easily distracted.

8. Special Dogs Need A Special Bowl

Do you have a flat-faced dog, such as a Pug or French Bulldog? Your bowl could be impacting your dog’s ability to eat. If your flat-faced pup is leaving half his meal behind, it might be because he is having trouble eating it – he wants to, but he can’t.

You see, flat-faced dogs eat with a scooping motion. This makes it difficult to reach small pieces of kibble that rest against the edges of the bowl. Fortunately, there are bowls specifically designed to make it easy for smooshy-faced dogs to eat. My personal favorite is the Enhanced Pet Bowl.

There are plenty of other benefits to using a flat-faced dog bowl, such as improved breathing and less gas. Want more info? Check out our review of the best flat-faced dog bowls.

What About Senior Dogs?

Do you have an elderly dog who has stopped eating? It might be that your old pup finds it painful to hunch over his bowl and eat his meal. Many owners report this as a common problem in larger breeds. In their senior years, bending down to eat is a lot more difficult than when they were younger.

This can cause your senior dog to avoid eating his food – the pain isn’t worth it. The solution? Raise your dog’s bowl to his height. That’s where an elevated dog bowl comes in. These raised dog bowls sit up to 12 inches off the ground and can help reduce the joint stress that comes with eating hunched over.

You’ll want to buy a raised bowl that matches your dog’s height. For instance, a bowl that is the perfect height for a Pitbull is too high for a Fox Terrier.

Don’t want to drop the cash on a new dog bowl? You can achieve a similar effect by placing your dog’s bowl on the first step of your staircase. Don’t forget to remove the bowl after mealtime; you don’t want to trip and fall down the stairs. With the bowl raised to a much more comfortable eating height, your senior pooch can now eat his meal pain-free. Learn more about what food to feed your senior dog in our guide.

9. Warm Your Dog’s Food To Enhance The Flavor

Many finicky dogs can be encouraged to eat their meal just by warming it up. This method is commonly used on senior dogs who are rejecting their food.

You see, heating food does two things:

1. Improves the flavor
2. Releases a strong aroma

Essentially, it makes your dog’s food seem tastier, stimulating his appetite.

How do you heat your dog’s meal? Wet food can be heated up in the microwave or steamer pot. For dry kibble, it’s as simple as stirring through a small amount of hot water. If you use the microwave, make sure you don’t use a stainless steel bowl, as it will spark. Use a plastic or ceramic bowl instead. And be sure to test it before giving it to your pup, as microwaves can heat things to incredibly high and harmful temperatures. You don’t want to give your dog food that is too hot. If you have overheated your pup’s food, let it cool before serving it.

10. Remove Your Dog’s Meal

While this method may seem mean, many owners of fussy eaters swear by its success. A structured feeding schedule aligns with a dog’s natural digestion cycle, promoting better digestion and overall well-being.

1. Offer food at set times (e.g., morning and evening).
2. Leave the room and do not interact with your pup during this time. If your dog follows you, ignore him.
3. If your dog has not eaten his meal within 15-30 minutes, remove any uneaten food and do not offer anything until the next mealtime.
4. Now, you are going to wait until the next mealtime.
5. Make sure it’s a fresh meal – don’t offer kibble that was left sitting out.
6. If your dog has not eaten his meal again within 15-30 minutes, take it away.
7. Avoid giving treats or table scraps in between.
8. Most dogs adjust within a few days, learning that mealtime is their opportunity to eat. If a dog refuses food for more than 24–48 hours, consult a veterinarian to rule out underlying health issues.

Your dog will be left with one choice: to eat his food! This method works because no healthy dog will let themselves get too hungry. Your pup will gladly eat a meal he doesn’t enjoy if there is no alternative – it beats a grumbling tummy!

It’s normal to be worried if your dog isn’t eating. However, it’s important to remember that they might just be picky with their food. Having read this article, hopefully, you’ll know how to tell the difference between a picky pet and one who needs a vet. No matter what you feed your pup, make sure they don’t eat these human foods. And keep an eye out for other symptoms like blood in their stool or throwing up.

A Healthy Diet Promotes Lifelong Canine Health

A healthy diet is crucial to a dog’s overall health and longevity because it provides the essential nutrients needed for optimal growth, energy, and immune function. Proper nutrition helps maintain a healthy weight, supports strong muscles, joints, and bones, and keeps the coat shiny and skin healthy. It also plays a key role in preventing or managing chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Feeding your dog the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals ensures their body functions properly and helps to ward off illnesses, keeping them happy and active throughout their life. A nutritious diet also contributes to mental well-being, helping dogs stay alert and engaged. Ultimately, a balanced diet is one of the most effective ways to ensure your dog lives a long, vibrant, and fulfilling life.