What to Do When Your Dog Stops Eating

Your dog will eat again when he is hungry

"My dog won't eat!"

Most dogs will stop eating for a while, at one time or another, so do not panic. Take your dog to see a vet if it appears that he is ill, vomiting or has severe diarrhea. If he is vomiting blood or you see blood in his stools, it is a cause for concern.

Otherwise, try the following first:

Offer your dog fresh water.

Most dogs, even when they are not feeling well, will drink water. If your dog feels overly warm to touch, he may be developing a fever. Drinking water will reduce his temperature. If you have a rectal thermometer, you can check his temperature. A high temperature may indicate an ear infection or a serious, medical problem. Taking him to a vet is suggested. Watch for signs of infection like pus around his eyes, infected wounds or other infections on his body.

Offer your dog fresh food.

If your dog has a plate of old food in front of him, he may choose not to eat it, if the food is turning rancid. Try offering him a plate of fresh food, but only a small amount. If he does not eat, offer him fresh food again, in several hours. At that time, he may or may not be ready to eat. Allow him a few more hours and try again.

Check your dog to see if he is showing evidence of pain, in any part of his body.

A dog that is in pain may refuse to eat. If it appears that your dog has pain in his throat or abdomen, do not force him to eat, as he could have a serious problem. He may have a small bone stuck in his throat, stomach or his bowels. Check for chancres or sores areas in his mouth to see if that is why he does not want to eat. It may hurt to chew, if he is teething. If the pain persists, take him to a veterinarian.

Do not force your dog to eat.

Dogs, like people, can be particular when it comes to food. Perhaps your dog is accustomed to a different dog food and does not want to eat a new dog food you purchased for him. Try giving him the previous dog food and see if he will eat that. Examine his diet carefully, to see if the food that you are trying to feed him is appropriate for his age and weight. You may be over feeding him.

Keep your dog warm, if he seems to be cold.

If your dog is coming down with an infection, he may be on the verge of running a high temperature. If you see that he is shivering and shaking, cover him with a blanket. Allow him to rest. Many infections will resolve themselves over time, but he may need to be placed on an antibiotic, for a while. If the fever persists, take him to the vet. When he feels better, he will resume eating.

Has he changed owners recently?

When a dog is placed in a strange setting or has a new owner, he may choose not to eat out of despondency. Allow your dog sufficient time to adjust to his new surroundings and he will likely be fine within twenty four hours. Be gentle, kind and loving with him and he will more than likely respond in a positive way, within a few hours. Do not scold him.

Check to see when your dog ate last.

Many times, dogs will eat and their owners or caregivers will not know exactly what they ate, when or where. Find out from others, when your dog ate last and how much he ate. He may still be full.

If you have a new dog, particularly a puppy, find out exactly what he was eating before he came to live with you.

A new puppy may still be on its mother's milk, if he is not weaned. Dog food, even puppy chow, may not be what he is accustomed to eating. You may have to bottle feed your new puppy on a regular basis or put him with his mother, until he is weaned. Most puppies will lap milk out of a dish.

A dog that is old may not eat if he is close to the end of his life.

When dogs get old, normally they eat much less. They may only want one meal a day or refuse even that. Do not force the dog to eat. Let nature take its way.

Spend quality time with your dog.

If you spend quality time with your dog, you will find that most of the eating problems that he has, will probably disappear. Maybe he needs extra attention from you. Make certain that he has sufficient exercise. That way his body will function better and he is less likely to suffer from constipation.

While none of these suggestions can guarantee that your dog will start to eat again immediately, they will cover most of the problems that your dog can have, if he stops eating. Your dog will eat again, when he is hungry.