Food is necessary for the survival of all living things. Although a human can survive up to three weeks without food, a dog cannot do so. If your dog suddenly stops eating, you should be concerned enough to take him to the veterinarian. The causes of a dog’s inability to eat are described in the following section.
Dogs Love Food
Pets respond positively to food. This is especially true of a dog, which will learn new tricks just to receive the reward you offer in exchange. Having your dog occasionally skip a meal could be beneficial to your relationship with him. He will be more receptive to your commands and easier to instruct if he is hungry, as he will expect food in exchange.
This demonstrates that a dog’s inability to eat is typically indicative of a serious problem. A loss of appetite in your furry companion may indicate that he is ill. As soon as you notice it, take him to the doctor immediately so he doesn’t dehydrate.
Why is it Hard to Determine if Your Dog is Not Eating?
Dogs are adept at concealing their illnesses. It is a result of the evolution they underwent. A sick animal in the wild is a weak animal, and it will either be expelled from the group or preyed upon. Therefore, dogs typically conceal the symptoms of their illness from their owners, and it may be very late in the progression of his condition before you realize something is wrong.
Typically, you will notice that he is unhealthy when he ceases to consume water and food. It may already be too late for you to provide him with the treatment he requires in order to recover, so it is imperative that you act swiftly. If the problem is with food and not water, check his teeth first. Sometimes, dogs with toothaches stop eating because it becomes too painful for them to do so.
How Come Your Dog Refuses to Eat?
Your dog is sick
The most likely explanation for your dog’s lack of appetite is that he is ill. Try to recall the last time you saw him eat if you are concerned that he has been feeding himself. If it has been longer than 48 hours, take him to the vet immediately. If not, monitor him by placing the food where you can observe him eating and in a quantity that you can calculate.
Obviously, there are additional indicators that your dig is unhealthy. If he is vomiting or has diarrhea and is not eating, you must rush him to the veterinarian. If you are uncertain of his condition, you can check by pressing his abdomen. If it is difficult to press or he squeals when you do, there is a problem that needs to be resolved, and you should take him to the veterinarian. In addition, it is necessary to examine his gums. If they are not pink and moist, he should see his doctor.
He doesn’t like his food
A dog, like humans, can refuse to eat if he dislikes his food. If he stops eating and you have recently altered his diet, you must revert to his previous diet to see if that resolves the issue. Perhaps the food is subpar for some reason. If it is the food he normally consumes, try discarding it and washing his bowl before giving him a new portion from a new bag or can.
His food is allergenic for him.
Occasionally, dogs who eat the same food every day will suddenly lose interest in it. That could be the result of new allergy symptoms. These stimuli are perceptible to dogs, and they may choose to stop eating in response. Try giving him a sensitive stomach formula and see if that resolves the issue.
He exhibits behavioral issues.
If your dog has a history of behavioral issues, this could be another one. However, it may be difficult to identify, so bring him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Here are a few additional reasons why your dog may not be eating:
His bowl requires cleaning.
Your dog is experiencing environmental stress (for example: A new aggressive dog)
He has difficulty reaching the food.
You give him excessive treats.
Something has changed in his routine, and it is causing him stress.
Conclusion
A healthy dog can go three to five days without eating. After 48 hours, you must therefore bring him to the clinic immediately for treatment, before it is too late.