Dog Not Eating

Dog not eating is a very common complaint from dog owners.



It is a common health issue which bothers most of the owners. Dog appetite loss can be an indication of a variety of health concerns or even diseases. It can be a major disease or even small issues such as anxiety or dog upset stomach. There are several reasons why dogs might lose their appetite. The food smell can be one of the reasons.



Dogs have over 200 million scent receptors in their noses whereas humans have only 5 million receptors. Dogs get attracted to the food only if the smell attracts them. It also depends on the genetics. Some dogs are ravenous eaters by nature and hence they can eat everything that comes their way, whereas others will just sniff at it and walk away from the food. Dogs which have more physical activity and exercise have a better appetite in comparison with the dogs which do not have much physical activity.



Dogs with more physical activity have high energy levels and hence show more interest in food. This is why younger dogs eat more in comparison with older dogs. Also dogs which are overweight or housebound show less interest in eating. Weather affects dogs’ appetite. They tend to eat lesser during hot weathers.

There can also be physical issues which might be causing the loss of appetite. Small physical issues such as dental problems, mouth injury and dog upset stomach can be the reason. It can also be a more serious problem such as poisoning or intestinal blockage. Such a thing is common with dogs which have a tendency of sneaking in garbage cans. Parasites or intestinal worm infections can also cause loss of appetite. Diseases such as thyroid disease, pulmonary diseases and cancer are known to cause such a condition.

One can try to change the flavor if the dog doesn’t prefer to eat the same food every day. Try changing your brand of dog food. Avoid adding too many onions to the food as it can cause hemolytic anemia. Don’t leave the dog for too long in hot weather. They tend to avid food due to hot weather. Check for dog bleeding gums and other gum diseases or teeth problems. If your dog is overweight, increase the physical activity. Increase the time for walks and exercise. If your dog does not eat for more than two days, consult a vet.