Why Your Puppy Won't Eat and How to Help

Has your puppy suddenly just lost its appetite for food? I know you might be scared when your dog loses its appetite, as it is said to be a sign of sickness in dogs. But you should not be too worried as it is not unusual for puppies to lose their appetites occasionally. But if you notice that your dog is refusing to eat, you should act fast, as it could be a sign of a health problem. Any sudden loss of appetite that is out of normal for your dog and lasts for a longer period would require quick veterinary attention.

In this guide, we will explain some of the reasons that dogs, mostly puppies, sometimes refuse to eat and how to deal with it, as well as how to know when it’s time to call for a veterinarian’s assistance.

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Why Do Puppies Refuse to Eat?

Anorexia, also called loss of appetite, may be sudden and unexpected, as your pup suddenly is not interested in the food you are offering. A dog’s loss of appetite for a day is normal, but it may require attention if the loss lasts for more days. Various factors contribute to your puppy’s loss of appetite.

Young puppies have smaller fat reserves in their system than adult dogs, so they can’t go without food longer than about 12 hours before needing medical help. Toy breed puppies are especially vulnerable to dangerous drops in blood sugar if they miss a meal.

Finickiness

Some finicky puppies would develop preferences for a certain food and then refuse to eat anything besides the food they are used to. When you give in and feed your puppy its preferred food, you’ve taught it how to get what it wants. If your vet has confirmed that your puppy is otherwise healthy, practising “tough love” may help encourage it to eat the food you choose during scheduled feeding times.

Stress and High Temperatures

Yes, stress!!! Stress can reduce your pet’s appetite. Various changes in the home, such as changing environments, having a baby, or having a new pet, can be potential stressors for puppies. Additionally, when a puppy is left alone for a long time, changes in its owner’s schedule or having a new owner can lead to stress, especially if your puppy experiences separation anxiety. Furthermore, high outdoor temperatures can also affect your pet’s desire to eat.

Illnesses, Parasites, and Teething

Loss of appetite or energy to eat is a common sign of illness in dogs and can occur alongside a fever when an infection is present. Loss of appetite can signify life-threatening viral diseases in dogs, such as parvovirus. Other canine infections, like distemper or less severe conditions such as upper respiratory infections or intestinal parasites, can also affect a dog’s desire to eat, causing anorexia. Additionally, a sore mouth from teething may make a puppy hesitant to eat due to the pain they may feel while chewing. In some cases, a puppy may refuse to eat due to abdominal pain caused by ingesting an object, like a swallowed toy or piece of bone or trash.

If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for several meals or has not eaten for more than a day, it is important to contact your veterinarian so they can rule out any underlying illnesses before trying any methods to encourage your puppy to eat.

How to Entice Your Puppy to Eat

To determine the reason why your puppy has stopped eating, it is recommended that you get a diagnosis from your veterinarian first. If your vet finds that your puppy is not ill, you can try enticing them with healthy, veterinarian-approved human food and use various strategies to encourage them to eat. You can choose from these strategies if you want your puppy to eat after losing its appetite.

Provide healthy options like small pieces of lean beef or chicken. This will help you determine if your puppy is being picky or if a legitimate issue requires veterinary attention.
Try hand-feeding your reluctant pup.
Encourage your puppy’s appetite with strong-smelling foods that may make eating more appealing. Liverwurst and peanut butter are popular choices.
Provide your puppy with meat-based baby food, which is appealing to most puppies and easier to eat if they have a sore mouth.
Add warm water or low-sodium chicken broth to dry foods to create a slurry in the blender.
Warm up your puppy’s food by microwaving it for about 10 seconds to unlock its aroma and stimulate your pup’s appetite.
Enhance your puppy’s regular food by adding yoghurt or cottage cheese to encourage eating, or offer a small amount of a strong-smelling canned product high in meat or fat.
If you have a cat, combine some dry cat food with your dog’s food. Cat food’s aroma and higher protein content tend to be very appealing to most dogs.
If you have a reluctant eater, try offering them a small amount of food. After eating their fill or deciding not to eat, take the food away and try again in an hour.Leaving food out too long can overwhelm your puppy’s appetite centers in the brain, reducing their remaining appetite.
If your veterinarian has ruled out any health issues and your puppy refuses even the tastiest foods, consider using some behaviour modification techniques. Limit the number of treats you give, as too many can spoil your puppy’s meal appetite. Additionally, maintain a consistent feeding schedule for your dog.
To make mealtime more interesting, consider buying a new food dish or relocating the old one. You might also try using a food dispenser that your pup can partially control.
If your dog’s appetite still isn’t what you would like it to be, take it for a walk or exercise before mealtimes.
Consult your veterinarian if your puppy’s condition is severe. Based on the diagnosis, she may recommend medication to help stimulate her appetite.
See veterinary attention immediately if your puppy shows signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as a staggered gait, weakness, or occasional seizures. In the meantime, if your puppy seems weak, you can try to raise its blood sugar by applying a small amount of pasteurized honey or Karo syrup to its gums.