Dog Not Eating

It’s always odd when your dog refuses to eat, and you may start wondering, “How long can a dog go without eating?” before it becomes serious. While skipping a meal or two can be normal, appetite loss can point toward stress, behavioral changes, or health problems. This article explains what’s concerning and what isn’t, when to contact a vet, and how to gently encourage your dog to eat again so it stays healthy and happy.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Skip Meals?

The short answer is, yes, it is normal for dogs to skip a meal or two, maybe even a snack. Maybe the weather is too hot or cold, and is affecting Fido’s appetite. It can also be that new guest you had at home. Change can cause stress in dogs and ruin their appetite. In some cases, it’s possible that Fido has an upset stomach—or simply being a picky eater. These are minor inconveniences and nothing to worry about. Chances are, your four-legged friend will gobble up its meal the next day.

How Long Can Dogs Go Without Eating?

Depending on age, size, and breed, dogs can go up to a full week without eating, given that they are staying hydrated. Smaller breeds, leaner types, puppies, and overactive dogs, on the other hand, tend to have higher metabolisms, so that limit goes down to three to five days.

Now, just because a week might be normal for your dog doesn’t mean that you should wait it out before contacting a vet. If your dog has skipped more than three meals and a couple of snacks, it’s time to start asking questions.

When Not Eating Becomes a Real Emergency

If your dog hasn’t had a bite in over a day (or over 12 hours if it’s a puppy), you may want to contact a vet. While it might not be an emergency, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Of course, this only applies when your dog is acting normally in all other areas. The real emergency is when Fido stops drinking water as well—and is showing symptoms like vomiting, severe diarrhea, and lethargy. Other red flags include a bloated abdomen, heavy breathing, excessive drooling, weight loss, and signs of pain and discomfort. If you notice any of these signs, along with loss of appetite, you’ll want to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Why Dogs Suddenly Stop Eating (And What Might Be Behind It)

Medical Issues

If your dog hasn’t eaten for too long, you might be looking at a dog health issue you can’t ignore. Gastrointestinal diseases, such as Parvovirus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or stomach ulcers, may all affect your dog’s appetite or ability to eat. The same goes for organ dysfunctions, such as kidney failure or hepatitis, dental issues, tumors, or even orthopedic problems, such as arthritis or hip dysplasia. Your dog’s appetite loss may also be a side effect of certain medications it might be on. In any case, a visit to the vet would help clear things up.

Behavioral Problems

Dogs are emotional beings, and that’s why we love them. But there’s a downside to this. The tiniest of changes can easily affect their behavior. Things we don’t pay much attention to can cause them a lot of stress and anxiety. A simple renovation, or moving something around the house, may cause them to get anxious and refrain from eating. And of course, there’s separation anxiety and the fear of losing someone they love—for example, if their favorite family member is away on vacation.

Age Considerations

As our dogs grow older, their food requirements become lower compared to their younger selves. This is a normal part of a dog’s life cycle. A slight decrease in your dog’s appetite shouldn’t be cause for concern—unless it’s a complete refusal to eat. Yes, your dog’s appetite will not be as big, but it’ll still need those calories.

Issues With the Food Itself

Sometimes, the reason your canine companion may stop eating may be the food itself. Did you buy a new meal or completely change your dog’s diet? Any of these may cause your dog to refuse its meal. If that’s the case, you’ll want to work with your vet to gradually change your dog’s food in a way that won’t run its appetite. And if the food is the same but Fido still won’t eat it, chances are you bought a different flavor by mistake—or you’re giving that leftover canned food from yesterday. Keep in mind that some dogs can be extra fussy and will not eat their meal unless it’s fresh.

What to Do When Your Dog Refuses to Eat

Make Sure Your Dog Is Getting Plenty of Exercise

If your dog is refusing to eat its food, a well-planned exercise dog routine can do wonders in restoring appetite. Depending on its breed, size, age, and health condition, Fido will need a certain amount of exercise to remain healthy, both mentally and physically. Getting in some exercise each day should help your pooch regain its well-being, and in turn, its willingness to eat.

Make Sure Fido’s Drinking Enough Water

A dog can survive up to a week without food, but only if it’s drinking enough water. Make sure that your dog is drinking water as much as it needs to avoid further problems. Even if it has zero appetite for food, staying hydrated can keep unwanted health issues at bay.

Do Not Move Your Pet’s Food Around

Dogs are creatures of habit. If you happen to place their food bowl in a different spot, the confusion might get them to refuse to eat. Not all dogs are that fussy, but some could express their disapproval and decide to go on a hunger strike. In such cases, all you’ll need to do is bring the bowl to its usual spot, and the issue will solve itself.

Limit Snacks

What if your dog refuses food but wants treats? This is something most dog parents deal with at some point. Some dogs tend to love their treats and snacks more than they love their meals. If you’re giving them enough snacks to keep them full throughout the day, chances are they won’t be hungry enough for their regular food. Try limiting the snacks and treats, and Fido will have no option but to eat its meal.

Introduce Guests and New Pets Slowly

If you notice that your pooch doesn’t react well to newcomers, such as a newborn baby, a new pet, or a houseguest, you’re not alone. Many dogs can get overwhelmed by new faces. They might retreat, feel anxious, and even refuse to eat. The trick is to give Fido all the time it needs to approach the guest on its own, and make sure it has a safe space to retreat to if needed.  

Offer Mental Stimulating Toys

Mental stimulation is key to a dog’s overall well-being. Besides being good for Fido’s mental health, mentally stimulating toys and games can encourage eating. Try playing a game of guessing through smell or preparing food puzzles for your four-legged friend to figure out. These will both arouse its curiosity and motivate it to eat.

Call a Vet

If all else fails and you notice other symptoms like lethargy and diarrhea, get on the phone with your vet. Make sure to describe your dog's behavior in detail as well as the symptoms you’re seeing. The vet will then come up with a diagnosis and recommend the right measures. Sometimes, simple medication or a change in diet can solve the problem in no time.

How to Gently Get Your Dog Eating Again

If your dog has only skipped a meal or two, there are ways you can gently get your dog to eat again. These include offering Fido bland and tummy-friendly food, like plain boiled chicken and white rice. You can even try warming up the canned or homemade food a bit to amplify its smell and make it more appealing.

Another solution is to make mealtime more comfortable by offering food in a quiet and low-stress environment. If your dog tends to slide the bowl around while eating, place a non-slip mat underneath. It also helps to keep a regular feeding time and remove uneaten food after 15 to 20 minutes. This way, your furry friend will stick to the schedule and look forward to the next meal. These simple tricks can encourage your dog to eat again.

Of course, if your dog has other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or seems to be in pain, in addition to not eating, you should talk to your vet as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Knowing how long a dog can go without eating can help you decide when to take action. Occasional missed meals may not mean trouble, but constant refusal to eat, especially with symptoms like vomiting or lethargy, needs attention. Once you understand the causes and what to do, you can help your dog recover its appetite and return to its food-loving self sooner.