
While some dogs, such as happy-go-lucky Labrador Retrievers, might eat anything in sight, others, such as Yorkshire Terriers, may be a little more particular. The issue might be with the food itself-it could be old, expired, stale, or spoiled. Some dogs may need behavioral modification or medical treatment to decrease stress and anxiety if it is frequent. Generally, if the issue is related to stress or anxiety, dogs will begin eating again after a day or two, once they have adjusted to the change. It is recommended that dogs be separated for feedings in order to decrease any resource guarding or intimidation.

Many dogs do not like eating right next to housemates, as there can be intimidation that we, as humans, don’t pick up on. Intimidation from another pet in the household can also cause a dog to avoid his or her food bowl. Even something as simple as changing the time or location of a meal can cause more sensitive dogs to feel stressed, and it may make them less likely to eat. Keep in mind that what you think is stressful is different from what your dog may see as stressful, and even small things can produce anxiety and cause them to not want to eat.Ĭhanges in a dog’s routine or environment, such as new people or pets in the house, traveling, or loud noises such as construction, storms, or fireworks can trigger anxiety.

BehavioralĪnxiety, stress, or fear can cause decreased appetite in some dogs, just like it can in people. These are only some examples of medical issues that can lead to a loss of appetite in dogs there are many more possible reasons. Stomach upset ( eating table scraps or something else they shouldn’t have, or a sudden change in food or treats) The list of possible medical causes for dog anorexia or hyporexia is very long and can include anything that might cause pain, nausea, lethargy, or stress: There can be many reasons why a dog won’t eat, but they generally fall into three major categories:

Here’s some insight on why your dog is not eating, including a questionnaire that can help you get to the root of the issue and some tips for what you can do to help. Anorexia for more than 24 hours should not be ignored, as it is often a warning that something else is going on. Decreased appetite (hyporexia), or loss of appetite (anorexia) in dogs can be stressful for pet parents, and can often indicate an underlying medical condition.
