Is your dog not eating? See if it’s for one of these reasons here.
You might have noticed that your pet dog hasn’t touched its food bowl in the past couple of days. Is this you? The cause could be easy to fix or a concern to take to the vet. If your dog isn’t eating, it could be for any of these reasons.
Possible Reasons Your Dog Isn’t Eating
Sickness
One of the most common reasons your dog might not be eating is illness. It could be that your pet has a virus and will recover in two days’ time. If your pet is lethargic, vomiting, having diarrhea, or other symptoms of illness, call your vet.
Medicine
Did your pet recently start a new medication? It could be that the medicine is upsetting your dog’s stomach, making it lose its appetite. Consult your local vet to see what the best route is to limit nausea and help your pet eat.
Time of Day
It could be that your pet is simply not hungry. It could be that your pet eats on a habitual schedule, perhaps once or twice a day. If your pet is not hungry at the time, all you need to do is wait and see. If the fast does not cease after several days and comes with negative symptoms, it’s time to call the vet.
Food Preference
Did the ingredients in your dog’s usual diet change? Did the package come with a “new and improved” label recently? It is possible that your pet does not like the new recipe. If you are trying a new dog food, it might not suit your pet’s preferences.
Food Quality
Another possibility is that your dog’s food is stale or expired. Check the expiration date of the package and take a whiff if need be to check its quality. This problem is a very simple fix; with fresh food, your dog should be eating again in no time.
Emotional Trouble
A pet can lose its appetite if it suffers from separation anxiety, anxiety of any kind, or a major life change, such as moving house. Just as people can lose their appetite over emotional distress, so can animals.
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With two Maryland locations in both Baltimore and Pasadena, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131 or 410-793-7670! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!