Do you have a sick dog who won’t touch his food? It can make you worry and wonder … just how long can a dog go without eating? Here’s the short answer: Healthy adult dogs can typically go as long as 3 to 5 days without eating any food, as long as they have access to drinking water. However, this is just an average figure for an adult dog.
Caution: Puppies aren’t covered in this article, but young pups (especially small breeds) under 6 months old need to eat several times a day or they can become dehydrated or hypoglycemic. Let’s take a closer look at some more specific circumstances for adult dogs not eating … .
When it comes to your dog’s health, it’s crucial to work with a holistic veterinarian who can recognize the side effects of vaccination, especially since veterinary homeopaths are skilled at treating vaccine reactions.
Loss of appetite in dogs is a common symptom of frequently prescribed medications, such as antibiotics. Typically, these signs will begin to show within a day or two, so it’s important to pay close attention to your dog if he’s taking any prescription medication. Sometimes, a dog’s lack of appetite isn’t due to an illness or medical reaction but could be attributed to pickiness. Dogs may not eat at certain times or in situations where they feel uncomfortable or stressed. Reasons for dog anxiety can range from a new home to travel or house guests, and they may need time to adjust. Most dogs will eventually eat and won’t starve themselves for long. However, if your dog’s lack of appetite persists, it’s important to investigate other possibilities to ensure it’s not a sign of illness. Occasionally, dogs won’t eat but will continue to act normal. They won’t show other symptoms and will continue to drink water and even eat treats, maintaining their usual energy for activities and play. In this case, it’s possible your dog is suffering from temporary digestive issues or has simply decided he no longer likes his food. Consider this possibility if you’ve recently changed his food or if the formula or ingredients of a commercial food have changed. If your dog isn’t eating but is acting normal, it’s likely to be less serious, but if it doesn’t improve in a few days, it may be time for a food change or a consultation with your holistic vet. If your dog hasn’t been eating for multiple days, you may need your vet’s help to rule out any illness that requires treatment. The next steps will depend on whether your dog has a medical issue. If your dog isn’t eating because he’s become picky, or is uncomfortable with his mealtime or is in a new environment, there are several approaches you can try: – Change up your dog’s food. If you feed homemade raw or cooked, try a different recipe. If you feed premade raw, try a different protein or brand. Or if you feed processed food like kibble, consider adding or switching to canned dog food. – Walk your dog before mealtime to stimulate his appetite. – Change bowls, or where you feed your dog. Your dog may feel more comfortable eating in his crate or in a quiet corner of the home. – Don’t show your dog you’re stressed by him not eating. Be cheerful and matter-of-fact when you feed him, and if he’s not interested, just pick up the food and offer it to him later. – Cut back on the number of meals. Many people feed twice a day, and a lot of picky dogs eat better with only one meal a day.If your dog is experiencing a loss of appetite, there are several nutritional strategies you can try to stimulate their interest in food. First, experiment with feeding at different times of the day to find a schedule that works best for your pet.
Temporarily reduce or eliminate treats to avoid overfeeding and to encourage your dog to eat their regular meals.
Regularly provide prebiotics and probiotics to maintain gut health, which can be crucial for a dog’s overall appetite and digestion.
Consider giving bone broth or raw goat milk as a source of nutrients that can help improve your dog’s appetite.
Explore natural options to stimulate appetite, such as CBD oil, which some research suggests may help stimulate hunger hormones. CBD oil can also alleviate pain or anxiety, which might be the underlying reasons for your dog’s lack of appetite.
If your veterinarian concludes that your dog’s lack of appetite is due to an illness, treatment for the underlying condition will be necessary. Some vets may recommend a prescription diet, but it’s important to note that most prescription diets are not of high quality and are not recommended for long-term use. Instead, consider a fresh whole food diet, preferably raw, to see if it improves your dog’s appetite.
Avoid forcing your dog to eat, even if they haven’t eaten for a few days. In extreme cases, your vet might recommend a liquid diet, subcutaneous fluids, or even inserting a feeding tube.
If your dog hasn’t eaten for a week, it’s crucial to seek immediate veterinary attention. Healthy dogs can typically only go up to 5 days without eating before they start experiencing health issues.
