Most of the time, dogs love to eat and feel exciting when they know mealtime is coming. They’ll often finish everything you put in front of them in minutes.
But there are times when your dog suddenly loses interest in eating or refuses food or a favorite treat.
The reasons why are varied, causes range from health and medical issues to the quality of the food you’re providing.
We have gathered a list of the most common causes and what you can do about them.
The first step is to figure out why the dog isn’t eating.
Tooth or oral problems
Toothache is very common amongst dogs, it can ruin any meal. This problem often being neglect because a dog cannot express the pain.
Swollen or bleeding gum often indicators more serious underlying concerns. If left neglected, the problems could worsen.
If you found your dog loses interest quickly after eating, this might be discomfort in their mouth.
Pain when eating can be caused by oral tumors, gingivitis, or periodontal disease, especially if your dog is fed with dry and hard food.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian may advise you to make adjustments to your dog’s diet to ensure that he or she gets the nutrition they require while healing.
Stress
Dogs, like humans, can feel stress, which can have an effect on their appetite. A new family member—human or animal—or a new job for you, or even a few days of having a stranger in the house is enough to stress out some dogs.
It is important to introduce changes gradually to ensure that they are pleasant. Sudden changes in their daily lives may cause them to refrain from eating for a period of time until they regain trust in their routine.
Vaccinations or Medication
Over the years, canine healthcare significantly improved. New vaccines and medicines allow a range of health concerns to be addressed and potentially eliminate deadly diseases. However, certain drugs do have side effects that cause a temporary loss of appetite.
Be patient and make sure he/she continues to drink plenty of water. The side effects seldom last longer than one or two days.
You may consult your vet during the visitation and proactively plan to support your dog through these temporary side effects.
Dirty Bowl
When was the last time you washed your dog’s bowl? Just because your dog enjoys licking the floor doesn’t mean he doesn’t want his own bowl to be clean of germs at mealtime.
You should wash and dry feeding bowls daily after their meals to prevent the growth of bacteria and general dirtiness.
Food Quality
The quality of the food you are feeding your dog can have a significant impact on how they respond to it. Cheaper foods typically contain lower-quality ingredients. It’s possible that they have less protein than the dog is used to, making them unattractive.
Your dog’s sense of smell could be warning him about something inside. After all, your dog’s ability to analyze smell is about 40 times stronger than humans.
Changes in the quality of food that occurs suddenly will cause them to avoid it, especially if they are used to better food. Providing your dog with nutritious high-quality fresh food such as DogFood is highly advised. DogFood use fresh whole food ingredient, customize base on your dog’s preference and is formulated by pet nutritionist to ensure balance nutrient in your dog’s diet.
Pickiness
Dogs have preferences, just like humans. Dog owners might be surprised, but dogs will develop a taste for the foods they like when they grow. They tend to have a preference for what they enjoy.
They may enjoy certain flavors and will avoid those that they find disgusting. Some ingredients in dog food can cause your dog to eat them, but some ingredients they might not like.
Some dogs dislike some vegetable flavors or foods that have some sour taste. As a result, it is time to select something that your picky dog will prefer.
Try DogFood, with over 30+ combinations of ingredients to tailor every fussy tongue.
Bad Feeding Habits
Is it possible your dog isn’t hungry, but you keep feeding him? Do you feed him all day long with table scraps, treats, or food?
You should consult your veterinarian if you believe you are overfeeding your pet. It can be difficult to keep track of your dog’s food intake if you allow him to “free-feed” or if you have food leaving out for him at all times.
And since refusing food can be a sign of illness, you may want to consider feeding your dog at regular mealtimes and setting a timetable for your dog. This can help you monitor his food intake and detect any irregularities as early as possible.
Boredom
Dogs will become bored if they are given the same brand and flavor of dry dog food for many years. What used to be something they couldn’t wait for has become something they want to avoid. It’s a good idea to mix something new into your dog’s food.
Usually adding wet dog food on dry kibbles will work.
Alternatively, a combination of wet and dry food can entice your dog to eat again. It’s a good idea to rotate foods once in a while to keep your dog interested in eating.
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Recent Illness
If your dog has recently vomited after eating their regular kibble, they may have difficulty trusting their food again.
Whatever the cause of the dog’s vomiting, they will link the discomfort with the food, making them cautious and reluctant to eat the same kibble anymore.
This may take some time for the dog to accept the same food that they threw up, so make a slow transition to get them eating again by mixing another type of food.
New Environment
If you’ve recently relocated or are on vacation, your dog could be having a hard time adjusting to his new environment. They may lose their appetite if they are uncomfortable or nervous with their new surroundings.
In some situations, even moving their bowl to a different room can cause issues.
Age
A dog’s body and senses will change as he or she ages. They may begin to reject meals or avoid eating entirely. While many may relate it to age, but there is likely a simple cause that you cannot see.
Because of age, the dog’s teeth may be sensitive and hurting, or they may not find the scent and taste attractive because of a change in their senses.
Older dogs that have stopped eating should be given softer, more flavorful meals to attract them to eat without causing pain.
Behavioral Problems
A dog’s reluctance to eat might be caused by a variety of behavioral issues. These problems gradually develop, usually is because of an unpleasant previous experience.
Dogs, for example, may associate eating with feelings of anxiety if they have been scolded or barked at. These kinds of problems are more common in families with many dogs.
When there are other people in the room, dogs may also have difficulty eating. This is normal with rescue dogs who have been in a shelter. They may need their own safe space away from the others to begin eating.
While dealing with these behavioral issues might be tough at times, they can be resolved with patience and continuous support.
Give them a safe space to eat alone in comfort. Find a routine that your dog likes and stick with it to ensure that they continue to eat every day.
