Can dogs just stop liking their food?

When your dog isn’t eating, it can be a very worrying time. Unfortunately, a wide range of factors can lead to “anorexia” or loss of appetite. It’s crucial to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s unwillingness to eat in order to decide on the appropriate course of treatment.

It’s important to seek veterinary assistance if you notice changes in your dog’s typical eating habits, especially if your dog is typically a healthy eater, as loss of appetite can be a sign of illness. It’s best to find the source of the issue as soon as you can because, if left unattended for a few days, it can result in dehydration and malnutrition.

Step 1 – Observe the dog’s behavior

When observing the dog’s behavior, check if your dog won’t eat anything or won’t eat some type(s) of food. You can monitor your pet’s food intake remotely through Petcube Cam in case you are away.

Check to see if your dog is acting as usual or if anything else has changed in your daily routine. Also, pay attention to the dogs stool and urine. If everything is fine, you can allow your pet to miss one or two meals. Consult a veterinarian if your dog is lethargic, experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, or is dehydrated. Never hesitate to contact a veterinarian online if you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior that make you uneasy. In this manner, you will quickly learn more about a potential problem and receive assistance from a licensed veterinarian.

In addition to decreased appetite, your dog may be experiencing dog depression if they hide, sleep all day, or lose interest in play and other routine activities.

Your Dog Eats But Won’t Drink Water

If your dog eats but won’t drink water, it may be a sign of diabetes, kidney disease, a bladder infection, or a urinary tract infection. These conditions call for a veterinary visit.

However, if you served your friend soup with the meal, this might be a justification for them not to drink any water.

Medical Causes for Anorexia in Dogs

Any disease or condition that makes a dog unwilling to eat is a medical cause of anorexia. They can include hundreds, maybe even thousands, of potential issues. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, kidneys, airways, lungs, or blood, as well as anything that can cause pain, are among the medical conditions that can lead to anorexia. Information about some of the most common causes include:

Gastrointestinal Diseases – The gastrointestinal tract includes the system that takes food in, processes it, and eliminates it. This includes everything from the mouth, esophagus (the tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach), the stomach, the small intestine, and finally the large intestine. A disease of any of these areas can cause a dog to not want to eat and are commonly associated with vomiting and diarrhea.

• Infections of the bacterial, viral, or parasitic variety are among the GI tract diseases. Roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and viruses like coronavirus and parvovirus are a few examples of infections. Tumors, such as cancer, ulcerations, inflammatory conditions, food allergies, ingesting indigestible objects that result in a “foreign body,” consuming spoiled food or trash, or even changes in food are additional GI tract diseases. Pain and loss of appetite can also be brought on by diseases of the mouth, such as damaged teeth or ulcerations.

Liver Diseases – The liver is an organ in the abdomen (belly) whose main job is to filter body wastes and toxins from the bloodstream. When the liver isn’t working properly, toxins can build up causing nausea and inappetence. Many dogs will be lethargic and/or have additional symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

• Hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, toxic drug reactions, and congenital issues like a Portosystemic Shunt are among the liver diseases.

Pancreatic Diseases – The pancreas is a small organ that sits near the stomach that has several jobs, including the production of insulin and digestive enzymes that help break down food in the stomach.

• Pancreas disorders include tumors of the pancreas (pancreatic cancer) and pancreatic inflammation, also known as pancreatitis. The pancreas can release some of the digestive enzymes into itself when it is inflamed, which can result in additional inflammation, pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Additionally, pancreatic cancer results in general vomiting, lethargy, weakness, and loss of appetite.

Kidney Diseases – Diseases of the kidney, most commonly acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure, cause a loss of appetite. Many pets will also drink more, urinate more or less, have ulcers in their mouth, foul-smelling breath, and be lethargic.

Airway and Lung Diseases – Diseases of the airway include problems associated with the nose, trachea, and lungs. Pets that have nasal diseases, such as infections or cancer, can’t smell their food and often won’t eat or will only eat treats. Pets with lung diseases may have a compromised ability to breathe, which causes them not want to eat as it can be difficult to eat and breathe at the same time.

Blood Diseases – There are many functions of the blood. Loss of blood or anemia from a variety of issues can cause dogs to become lethargic, weak, and lose their appetite. Anemia can result from loss of blood from trauma, ulcerations, immune-mediated problems where the body starts destroying its own red blood cells, or cancer. Often, we also see lethargy and weakness with diseases of the blood.

Neurologic Diseases – The neurologic system is focused on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Diseases that cause seizures, lack of coordination, inability to walk, or pain can all cause lack of appetite. There are hundreds of neurological diseases that include intervertebral disc disease, brain tumors, epilepsy, and vestibular disease, just to name a few.

Other Diseases – Any diseases that cause pain, such as a fracture, arthritis, or even something like eye pain, can cause lack of appetite.

As you can see, any illness that affects an organ’s functionality can make dogs feel like they aren’t hungry. Please visit your veterinarian if your dog isn’t eating so they can determine the underlying cause and suggest the best course of action to get your dog to start eating again.

FAQ

Do dogs stop liking their dog food?

A dog won’t typically refuse food for very long unless there is a medical issue. Try not to give in by adding tempting people food. Your dog should decide to like the dog food if you just stick with it (choose one or combine the two).

Can dogs get bored of their food?

Some dogs get tired of the taste, texture, and smell of their food. Change one ingredient, such as substituting any dish with chicken for one with fish or lamb. You can also add fresh ingredients to the dog’s kibble.

Why do dogs suddenly stop eating their food?

Dogs may stop eating due to environmental changes, stress, a negative drug reaction, and nausea. Dogs’ appetite loss can also be brought on by internal obstructions, pain, and dental issues.

Why is my dog not eating but acting normal?

Common Reasons For Loss Of Appetite In Dogs. The causes of dogs losing their appetite are numerous. This includes issues with the body, behavior, the environment, separation anxiety, and food-related issues.