Help, my dog isn't eating

My dog is very picky and no longer eats. Do you have any tips? At Riverwood, we often receive questions like these. They often revolve around the main question of why my dog is not eating and what you can do as an owner. In this article, we answer the question of why a dog sometimes leaves its food untouched, and what you can do if your dog stops eating.

Why is my dog not eating?

There can be various reasons why your dog has stopped eating, such as illness or stress. Below, we describe the most common reasons why your dog may no longer be eating.

• Your dog is ill. Your dog may have an underlying health problem that has caused it to lose its appetite. Your dog often also experiences other symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, fever, or excessive drinking and/or urination. If you suspect that your dog is ill, or if you are in doubt, contact your veterinarian.
  
  
• Your dog is stressed. Stress affects every dog differently. One dog may not want to eat because it feels stressed when left home alone, while another may be stressed by, for example, new housemates. A new layout in the room where your dog eats can also cause stress.
  
  
• Your dog is in pain. Pain in your four-legged friend can cause it to refuse to finish its food. This can happen, for example, when the animal has dental problems, such as a broken or decayed tooth.
  
  
• Your dog has eaten something it should not have. This could include spoiled food, for example. This can cause your dog to develop stomach pain, which can lead to a loss of appetite. Once your dog starts feeling better, its appetite will return.
  
  
• Your dog is getting too much food. Your dog eats its kibble in the morning but leaves it untouched in the afternoon and/or evening. In this case, the animal is simply taking in more energy than it needs.
  
  
• Your dog eats a lot of treats. Too much food in the form of treats or prey caught while out walking can be a reason for your dog to leave its food untouched. Your faithful four-legged friend simply is not hungry anymore.
  
  
• Your dog is in heat. A female dog in heat can become so unsettled the first time that she is no longer interested in food. Even females that have been in heat before can experience this. A male dog can also become unsettled during this period and leave its food untouched.
  
  
• A dog seeking attention. Dogs are very intelligent animals and quickly figure out how to ask for attention. If you give your dog lots of attention when it refuses to eat, it may leave its food untouched more often to get attention. So try not to give your dog extra attention when it skips a meal.
  
  
• A pampered dog. Owners often make food more appealing by adding canned food, treats, regularly changing the food, or mixing in broth. If you then put down a bowl containing only kibble, your dog may wait to eat until you add something tasty again.