Dog Health Not Eating

When it comes to dog health, not eating is one of the most common issues that worry dog owners. Loss of appetite in a dog can be caused by a variety of health concerns and diseases ranging from minor anxiety or stomach upset to much more serious conditions.

Issues in Dog Health: Not Eating

Psychological Issues

Among the many reasons a dog might stop eating are anxiety related problems. Separation anxiety is a leading cause of poor appetite in dogs. Many dogs that suffer this form of anxiety will refuse to eat while their master is away, be it for an hour or a week. Others suffer anxiety with thunderstorms, fireworks or other loud events, triggering an attack of nerves that can affect the appetite for days.

Depression is another common reason for dogs to lose the desire to eat. Depression in dogs follows much the same path as it does in humans, often heralded by lethargy, moodiness and loss of appetite. Depression can be triggered by an event such as the loss of a beloved family member or a move from one home to another, or, as in humans, a chemical imbalance can be to blame. Long term depression symptoms should be assessed by a veterinarian. Treatment options are available that can help your furry friend recover his spunk.

In male dogs, appetite loss can often occur if there is a female in heat nearby. Often, the male will become so obsessed with the scent of the female that he will not engage in normal activities, such as playing, sleeping or eating. Weight loss is sometimes quite severe during such a spell, causing much worry over his health. Generally, the situation will resolve itself as the female passes out of her heat cycle, but if your dog has lost dramatic amount of weight, tempting him with foods he is not usually allowed may help.

Physical Issues

Many times, a dog will stop eating over very minor physical problems such as a simple upset stomach, a mouth injury or dental problems. Under these circumstances, changing to a mild, soft diet until he recovers can solve the problem.

Other times, a sudden loss of appetite can be a symptom of a more serious health problem. If your dog is fond of sneaking into the garbage pail, this can cause a condition commonly called garbage gut that can range in severity from a day or two of vomiting to a serious poisoning incident or an intestinal blockage that can be fatal. If your dog stops eating after a midnight garbage raid, a visit to the veterinarian is advisable to be sure that your faithful companion has not ingested something that could have disastrous effects.

Parasites are another common health issue that can cause a lack of appetite in dogs. Intestinal worm infestation can cause dogs to stop eating, a symptom that is often accompanied by lethargy, weakness and a bloated abdomen. A dog with these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian to diagnose the particular parasite involved for effective treatment.

More serious health problems that can cause a drop in appetite are thyroid problems, heart disease, pulmonary disease and cancer, among many others. Often, other symptoms are not readily apparent in the beginning stages of many of these conditions, so a decline in appetite with no obvious cause should be taken seriously.

Chances are, in dog health, not eating will have a minor cause. However, on some occasions, a sudden appetite loss can be a sign of significant health trouble, especially in an aging pet. So, if your dog's eating habits are severely altered for more than a few days, taking him in for a thorough checkup to rule out major health problems is advisable.

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