Like humans, it's not unusual for a dog to lose its appetite once in a while. But if your dog is refusing to eat, it could be a sign of a deeper problem. Any sudden loss of appetite that is out of character for your dog and lasts longer than a meal or two requires veterinary attention—sooner if your puppy acts sick. Show
We break down the reasons that puppies sometimes refuse to eat and how to know when it's time to seek a veterinarian's assistance. Why Do Puppies Refuse to Eat?Anorexia—or loss of appetite—may be abrupt, with your pup suddenly refusing to eat, or gradual, so that it's eating less over time. A number of factors can contribute to your puppy's anorexia. Young puppies have smaller fat reserves than adult dogs and can’t go without food longer than about 12 hours before needing medical help. Toy breed puppies are particularly prone to potentially deadly drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if they skip a meal. FinickinessSome finicky pups develop preferences for certain foods and refuse to eat anything else. When you give in and feed your puppy its desired food, you've taught it how to get its way. If your vet has confirmed that your puppy is otherwise healthy, practicing “tough puppy love” may convince it to eat your choice of food during scheduled feedings. Stress and High TemperaturesStress can suppress your pet's desire to eat; being left at the kennel or change in an owner's work schedule that results in separation anxiety can suppress the dog's appetite as well. Just the stress of household visitors could prompt anorexia. High outdoor temperatures can also kill a pet's appetite. Illnesses, Parasites, and TeethingAnorexia is one of the most common signs of illness in dogs and can occur in conjunction with a fever if an infection is present. Life-threatening viral infections, such as parvovirus, will cause anorexia. Distemper and other less severe infections such as an upper respiratory infection or intestinal parasites will also cause anorexia. Even a sore mouth from teething can make a pup reluctant to eat. Other times, an ingested foreign body (like a swallowed toy or piece of trash) can cause abdominal pain and result in a puppy not wanting to eat. If your dog's anorexia lasts for more than a few meals, be sure to have your veterinarian rule out any illnesses before trying any techniques to coax your puppy to eat. How to Stop AnorexiaYou’ll need a diagnosis from your veterinarian to figure out why your puppy has stopped eating. If your vet rules out illness, it’s often OK to tempt your puppy with bland, vet-approved healthy people food and employ other techniques to encourage it to eat.
The Spruce / Joshua Seong Common Diseases in Puppies If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Watch Now: All You Need to Know about PuppiesArticle Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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