Can dogs just stop liking their food? Tips and Tricks

Why won’t my dog eat in the morning?

If your dog won’t eat in the morning but will eat later in the day, it could be due to many factors. It may be the bustle of a busy house in the mornings makes your dog anxious or simply that there’s too much going to focus on food.

Free-feeding is often a cause of dogs turning up their nose to their morning meal. This is because your dog has gotten used to having access to food all day and so can eat whenever they wish.

Unfortunately with free-feeding, the food sits out for a lot longer, losing its tempting aroma, not to mention ants and bugs that come to the party for their fair share.

Try taking your dog for a walk first to stimulate their appetite. Try to stick to a fixed meal schedule and avoid free feeding.

Common Reasons For Loss Of Appetite In Dogs

The list of reasons for loss of appetite in dogs is long. It includes medical issues, behavioral problems, environmental problems, separation anxiety, and problems with the food itself.

Medical conditions that can cause a loss of appetite in dogs include:

  • Upset stomach
  • Poisoning
  • Allergies
  • Depression
  • Infection
  • Pain
  • Problems with teeth, gums, or tongue
  • Tumors
  • Parasites
  • Autoimmune diseases and neurological diseases
  • Problems with internal organs (heart, liver, kidneys, lungs)
  • Recent vaccination
  • What to do? – Consult a vet immediately!

    Behavioral reasons are separation anxiety, your dog is used to getting lots of treats and table scraps, your dog likes to eat alone or only when there’s someone else in the room, or your pooch is used to being hand-fed.

    Changes in the environment include a recent move or traveling, absence of a family member or another pet, weather changes, recent stress, or a change in the feeding schedule.

    My dog refused to eat for two and a half days when she got a new food bowl. Maybe it’s a dachshund thing. The point is, you should consider every change in the environment and habits.

    What to do? – Read about ↓ Treating environmental and behavioral loss of appetite in dogs

    Is your dog not eating when left home alone? One reason could be separation anxiety. Keep tabs on your pet’s behavior with Petcube pet cam. If your furry friend goes crazy when left alone, you should learn about ways to treat separation anxiety. Another reason can be that the dog feels the need to guard the house until you get back. So, there’s no time to eat.

    Of course, it’s possible that your dog is just not used to eating when left alone at home — or feels a little bit sad when you’re gone.

    What to do? – Learn about → How to treat separation anxiety in dogs

    Dogs aren’t known for being picky eaters but occasionally they will turn their nose up at food that doesn’t quite make the grade.

    There are some food issues you should consider if your dog refuses to eat. First and foremost, check if the food is spoiled. If it’s not, consider if you recently introduced new food that tastes or smells differently than the old food. Also, dogs will often refuse to eat when you go from home-cooked meals or wet dog food to kibble.

    Another thing you should consider is the foods ingredients. If your pooch is sensitive to one or more of them, you may find the food untouched. There’s also a chance that you have a picky pet or that you’re overfeeding your dog. Also, note the temperature of the food you’re serving, whether it is too hot or too cold food, which might be causing your doggo to skip dinner.

    Finally, if you haven’t changed anything in your dog’s diet for a long time, this can be an issue too. Dogs can get bored with food if they’re eating the same thing every day for months. After all, who wouldn’t get bored?

    What to do? – Read about ↓ Solving food-related loss of appetite in dogs

    My dog is suddenly not eating its dry food

    If your dog is suddenly very picky about its food, and you’ve ruled out any medical issues, perhaps consider spicing up their meals with some meal toppers to make them a bit more interesting and attractive?

    If your dog won’t eat dry food anymore, add moisture to dry food with delicious and super nutritious bone broth or yogurt with active cultures to help with digestion. Other options include goat’s milk, unsweetened canned pumpkin, and other tasty fruits and veggies.

    My Dog WON’T EAT Their Food What to Do About It

    It can be a really worrying time when your dog is off their food. Unfortunately ‘anorexia’ or loss of appetite can be caused by a whole host of reasons. In order to determine the treatment to give to your dog, it is important to identify what the underlying cause of the reluctance to eat is.

    Loss of appetite in a dog can be a sign of illness so it’s important to seek veterinary help if you notice changes in your dog’s normal eating habits – particularly if your pooch is normally a good eater. It’s best to get to the bottom of the problem as early as possible, as if left untreated for several days it can lead to dehydration and malnourishment.