Why Isn't My Dog Eating?
Causes for a Pet's Refusal to Eat
A dog may lose his appetite due to a vast array of illnesses, and even discomfort from an injury can cause a refusal to eat, but understanding why this occurs and what actions to take will help pet owners steer their pet toward recovery.
“A loss of appetite and lethargy are the two most common generalized symptoms of illness in pets. These are usually the first symptoms to arise in a sick pet, and the two symptoms can often be interlinked,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, who added, “When a pet stops eating, I recommend a prompt visit to the vet’s because it’s much easier to deal with the situation early on.”
The Causes for Not Eating
The causes for a lack of appetite are many and varied. In many pets, even slight discomfort due to an injury, upset stomach or illness will result in a complete refusal to eat, while other pets will only stop eating when seriously ill.
In many cases, it’s minor digestive system upset that causes a pet to stop eating. This can result from eating an unfamiliar food, a non-food item or from a chronic problem, like a stomach ulcer or intestinal parasites. In these cases, the dog will exhibit other signs of digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, excess flatulence, burping, and gurgling sounds in the stomach.
“In cases where a minor case of upset stomach is to blame, it’s often best to allow the system to rest for 18 to 24 hours by withholding food. After that period, small amounts of bland food (like cottage cheese or plain white rice with boiled hamburger or boiled skinless chicken) should be offered – start out with just a bite or two and slowly increase the meal size every four hours. This is often all it takes to get the animal back on track,” explained Dr. Levine.
In other cases, particularly when there is no sign of digestive upset, the refusal to eat is often the result of an illness or injury. The following are among the most common causes:
- Infection
- Viruses
- Pancreatitis
- Tooth decay/injury and gum disease
- Disease affecting major organ systems, like the kidneys or liver
- Pain from trauma and injury
- Discomfort from chronic pain, such as arthritis or hip dysplasia
- Discomfort due to hot weather
- Anxiety or emotional distress
- Bloat or Gastric Dilitation Volvulus
- Intestinal obstruction
The Effects of Not Eating
A decrease in appetite is often the first sign of illness, followed by a complete loss of appetite and a refusal to eat. Often, the pet will also stop drinking, which is a very urgent situation, as dehydration can lead to organ failure in a matter of hours.
Lethargy is also a common early sign of illness, as failure to eat leads to hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, which can result in lethargy, weakness and trembling.
“One of the simplest ways to combat lethargy is to boost blood sugar with honey or maple syrup, given every four to six hours. I recommend this for any pet who has stopped eating,” explained Dr. Levine, who added that rubbing the syrup or honey on the gums can help in instances where the pet will not lick it voluntarily.
The sugar contained in the honey or maple syrup will help reverse the effects of hypoglycemia, and in many cases this will trigger the pet to resume eating and drinking. One large spoonful is sufficient for every 20 pounds of body weight, given every four to six hours, depending on the animal’s activity level (more activity requires more sugar).
Failure to eat can also lead to a circular problem, as when the stomach is empty for an extended period of time, the organ’s lining can become inflamed and irritated by the bile and excess stomach acids that accumulate. This can lead to nausea, vomiting of a clear yellow liquid and a continued refusal to eat due to an upset stomach.
“If your pet has not resumed eating within 24 hours, or if he’s showing any other signs of illness, it’s important to get him to the vet as soon as possible because a failure to eat weakens the body, and this allows illness to get a better foothold,” Dr. Levine explained.
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