It’s always worrying when your dog suddenly stops eating. Whether they’re usually a picky eater or have a hearty appetite, a loss of interest in food can quickly make any pet parent anxious.
We outline the common causes of a dog not eating, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Not Eating — Why It Happens
When a dog stops eating, it’s often a sign that something’s off — physically, emotionally, or environmentally. It could stem from a mild upset stomach, dental discomfort, or stress, but sometimes it’s linked to more serious problems like infections, kidney disease, or even pain from an injury.
Appetite loss isn’t a disease in itself — it’s a symptom that something’s wrong and deserves your attention, especially if it lasts more than a day or two.
Dog Not Eating: Common Causes
1. Gastrointestinal Upset
Digestive issues are among the top reasons for appetite loss in dogs. A sudden diet change, eating spoiled food, or minor infections can cause nausea, stomach pain, or diarrhea that make your dog turn away from meals.
You might notice gurgling stomach sounds, drooling, or occasional vomiting. If the issue is mild, your dog may bounce back after a day of rest and hydration.
But ongoing stomach issues, particularly with vomiting or diarrhea, can point to deeper gastrointestinal diseases like gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or parasites.
Read more: Dog shivering and not eating (How to tell if it’s serious)
2. Dental or Mouth Pain
Painful teeth or gums can make chewing unbearable. Issues like broken teeth, abscesses, gingivitis, or oral tumors can stop your dog from eating even their favorite food.
Signs include pawing at the mouth, drooling, bad breath, or favoring soft food. In small breeds especially, dental disease is common and often underestimated. A professional dental exam can uncover the cause, and early care prevents worsening pain and infection.
3. Stress, Anxiety, or Change in Routine
Dogs are sensitive to changes in their environment. A move, loud noise, new family member, or even your own stress can affect their appetite.
Some dogs stop eating temporarily when boarding, traveling, or sensing conflict in the home. This emotional cause is often short-term — once the dog feels secure again, eating returns to normal.
However, if your dog refuses food for several days or shows additional anxiety signs like pacing, trembling, or hiding, it’s worth checking with your vet to rule out underlying medical causes.
4. Illness, Infection, or Fever
When dogs feel sick, their appetite often drops just like ours does. Infections — whether viral, bacterial, or parasitic — can cause fatigue, nausea, and fever that naturally suppress hunger.
Common culprits include kennel cough, urinary tract infections, or systemic conditions like leptospirosis. A feverish dog may feel warm to the touch, pant excessively, or appear lethargic.
Appetite typically returns once the infection resolves, but veterinary diagnosis is key to identifying the exact cause and preventing complications.
5. Pain or Injury
If your dog is sore or recovering from injury, they might not want to eat. Pain anywhere — not just in the mouth — can cause appetite loss. Joint pain, muscle strain, internal injuries, or post-surgical discomfort can all be factors.
Large breeds or older dogs with arthritis may lose interest in eating simply because moving to the food bowl hurts. Subtle signs like limping, stiffness, or avoiding certain movements are often the only clues.
6. Chronic Health Conditions
Long-term diseases can gradually affect appetite. Kidney disease, liver problems, diabetes, and cancer are all known to cause nausea, weight loss, or food aversion.
In kidney disease, waste products build up in the bloodstream, making dogs feel queasy. Liver disease can dull appetite due to toxin buildup or changes in metabolism.
Diabetes and thyroid disorders may also disrupt hunger patterns. If your dog’s appetite steadily decreases alongside increased thirst, weight changes, or vomiting, bloodwork is necessary to identify the cause.
7. Old Age and Slowed Metabolism
Older dogs often eat less due to lower activity levels and slower metabolism. But reduced eating should never be dismissed as “just aging.”
Senior dogs can also suffer from diminished sense of smell or taste, arthritis pain, or underlying organ disease.
Adjusting their diet with softer, more aromatic foods can help — but if an old dog stops eating completely, it’s a red flag that needs prompt veterinary evaluation.
Read more: Old dog not eating (What this means)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Not Eating
When your dog refuses food, start by staying calm and assessing the situation.
If your dog skipped one meal but is otherwise acting normal — drinking water, playing, and going to the bathroom — monitor closely for 24 hours. Dogs occasionally fast themselves after eating something odd or feeling mildly nauseous.
Try offering boiled chicken and plain rice to see if a bland meal tempts them. Sometimes, gentle encouragement with hand-feeding or warming the food slightly helps restore interest.
Make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Dehydration can worsen nausea and make appetite loss more severe.
If your dog is anxious or adjusting to a new situation, create a quiet, stress-free feeding space. Avoid forcing food — it can worsen aversion. Instead, keep mealtime positive and consistent.
However, if your dog refuses food for more than 24 hours or shows other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or drooling, it’s time for veterinary advice. Prolonged fasting can quickly become dangerous, especially for small dogs, puppies, or those with chronic conditions.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Contact your vet immediately if your dog’s lack of appetite is accompanied by:
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Lethargy or weakness
Abdominal pain, bloating, or restlessness
Fever or panting
Drooling, coughing, or pale gums
Refusal to drink water
Rapid weight loss or dehydration
Even if your dog appears stable, persistent refusal to eat for over 48 hours needs a professional check. Your vet may recommend diagnostic tests such as bloodwork, X-rays, or an abdominal ultrasound to determine the cause.
For chronic or recurring appetite loss, a thorough workup helps uncover subtle issues like early kidney disease, dental infections, or inflammatory conditions that might not be immediately obvious.
Read more: Dog vomiting and not eating (Why it happens)
Key Takeaway
A dog not eating can be anything from a temporary tummy upset to a sign of something more serious. The key is to observe your dog’s overall behavior — are they alert, drinking, and acting normal, or showing other worrying symptoms?
If your dog’s appetite doesn’t return within a day or two, or if other issues appear, don’t wait — your vet can help identify and treat the cause early.
With patience, care, and prompt action when needed, most dogs bounce back to their food-loving selves before long.