Reasons for Appetite Loss in Dogs

Appetite loss in a dog that is typically a reliable eater is a legitimate reason to contact your veterinarian for a physical examination. An examination in conjunction with diagnostic tests such as blood work, urine or stool analysis may be necessary to determine the cause. It is far more difficult to notice a loss of appetite in dogs that are picky eaters or are free fed than voracious eaters fed on a schedule.

  1. Age Matters

    • New puppies may take time to settle into a feeding routine.

      Young puppies who are new to your household may take a while to settle into new routines prior to eating reliably on a schedule. Picky puppies might prefer one flavor of food over another or may have problems chewing due to loose puppy teeth. Puppies or older pets that are new to you need a bit of time to adjust and settle into consistent eating patterns.

      Caution should be taken when it comes to the eating habits of geriatric dogs. Consider the consistency of your dog's diet. As the dog ages, it may be more difficult to chew dry or hard foods. The metabolism of an older dog can slow and eating habits may change over time. Sudden and chronic bouts of loss of appetite that last more than a day or two are reasons to contact your veterinarian. A geriatric dog will often stop eating near the end of life.

    Illness

    • If appetite loss coincides with other symptoms of illness, seek immediate veterinary care.

      According to contributing veterinarians at Pet Education.com, loss of or poor appetite is a symptom associated with dental problems, toxicity, viral and bacterial infections, intestinal parasitic infestations and diseases such as cancer, colitis and pancreatitis. Use common sense here. If a loss of appetite is not typical for your dog or your dog is acting sick, seek veterinary care as soon as you can.

    Behavioral Concerns

    • Environmental change can trigger appetite loss in sensitive pets.

      Many dogs are sensitive to changes in their environment and will react unfavorably to change. They may lose their appetite until life settles a bit. Switching to a new food, changing feeding schedules or locations or even changing the material of food bowls can throw a picky eater off the game. Changes in a dog's family can trigger a brief loss of appetite. If you add or lose a pet or family member, it may take your dog awhile to process the change prior to returning to normal eating habits.

      Fear can alter eating habits. A great example of this comes from dogs that are sensitive to thunder storms. If you live in an area where storms are often present at the dinner hour, a fearful dog may avoid any food offered during that time.