Dogs are often highly motivated by food, so if your dog suddenly stops eating, it’s natural for you to worry a bit. Knowing why a dog has stopped eating and how to feed him/ her again, and when to worry is important to understand as a pet owner.

Anorexia- Lack of appetite

Anorexia is the loss of appetite. People often associate this term with anorexia nervosa, which is an eating disorder in humans. Anorexia occurs to your dog when he/ she refuses to eat even ‘the best’ Royal Canin dog food you bought home.

Possible reasons why your dog stopped eating

There are several reasons why a dog may refuse to eat. Some causes can be behavioral, but other more serious problems can be the result of an illness or other disorders with your dog.

Behavior Issues –

Some dogs become fussy when too much pampered by affectionate dog owners and refuse to eat unless they get what they want. Frequent changes in the pet food you feed, a variety of treats, and spoilage with table food can cause behavioral problems leading to anorexia in dogs.

Illness:

In case, if a dog is not feeling well due to illness like liver and kidney disease, respiratory disease, cancer, breathing issues, and other problems, he/ she might stop eating. Symptoms like lethargy and vomiting and diarrhea are often associated with anorexia in a sick dog.

Pain –

Injury or illness cause pain, but a dog may stop eating because of that. Pain in the neck, mouth, abdominal discomfort, and other things that can cause a dog pain can cause your pup to refuse to take a bit of the tempting and nutritious meal you got from the best dog food shop in town.

Dental Problems –

Periodontal disease, broken teeth, and even a stick stuck in a dog’s roof of the mouth can cause anorexia in your dog.

Environmental changes:

If your dog might become a fussy eater if –

• He/ she is stressed or scared
• There’s a new puppy or person in the house
• You moved to a new apartment with your dog

Side Effects:

The medicines your dog takes can make him/ her reluctant to eat. Talk to your vet to see if you can change the dosage or do something else to minimize side effects. In addition to pills, dog vaccinations can also make a dog reluctant to eat.

Disruption:

Some dogs chew on socks, stuffed animals, rocks and other indigestible things.  This can be upsetting and your dog may be reluctant to eat the real foods.

Conclusion

Whenever your dog is facing any of the above mentioned issues, talk to a vet. You have to entice your dog to eat again. Warm up your pup’s meals with some variations. Feed a raw diet including turkey or chicken. Try wet dog food instead of dry kibbles. Do an online search like “dog food store near me” and find something exciting for your rover to eat.