Is your canine companion bored with their food — or is there something bigger behind your dog not eating?

Dogs are known to eat anything and everything — from table scraps to (unfortunately) the occasional toilet paper roll or favorite shoe. But some aren’t as interested in their dog food, barely moving a muscle at the sound of kibble hitting their bowl. 

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why won’t my dog eat their food?” Congrats, you’re in the right place. This article will take you through the many factors that can contribute to a dog refusing food — and when you should be concerned.

A dog not eating may be a sign of underlying health concerns, so it’s important to know what’s normal for your pup, and pay attention to any changes in their eating habits. Even if your dog seems happy and healthy, it is important never to ignore a reduced appetite. 

Here are a few questions to ask yourself if your dog isn’t chowing down like usual.

Does Your Dog Have a Health Issue? 

If your dog is one to never miss a meal but suddenly refuses to eat, this is your sign to pay attention. Some health issues that may affect your pup’s eating habits are:

• Problems in the mouth (dental disease) may cause discomfort and prevent eating even if they act hungry.
• Gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiac, autoimmune, metabolic, and neurologic diseases may also cause some degree of decreased appetite.
• Stress can even be a factor for some dogs.

If your dog is not eating or drinking as they normally do, it’s a good idea to call your vet.

Is Your Dog Ruining Their Appetite with Treats? 

If we’ve learned anything as pet parents, it’s that dogs are actually training us — not the other way around. If your dog isn’t eating their meal but is otherwise healthy, they might just be holding out for the good stuff (aka table scraps and treats). For some dogs, exposure to new foods that are outside their regular diet may result in pickiness over time.

Keep tabs on whether or not your pup is spoiling their appetite by getting extra treats around the house. If this is the case, try being stricter by offering only their core meal and feeding them as directed by the guidelines on the bag. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s diet — the other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food. Trust us, if you cut back on the treats and table scraps, your pup will eventually develop a stronger appetite for their core diet. 

Is Your Dog Stressed?

Getting belly rubs and being a good pup doesn’t seem like a hard job — but the truth is our dogs get stressed, anxious, and scared sometimes, just like we do. When that happens, it could affect their desire to eat.

Dogs love routine and knowing what’s next, so when things disrupt this pattern, they might have a hard time adjusting. Even changes that seem small to us can be stressful for dogs, like:

• Environmental changes, such as being in a new space or having new people or animals in the home.
• Loud noises, like construction, fireworks, thunderstorms, or children playing.
• Changes in the routine, including a new schedule or a death in the family.
• Separation anxiety if you’re away from home for long periods of time.

If your dog is not eating due to stress, don’t worry — their eating habits should go back to normal after the stressor is out of the picture. If you notice that anxiety is significantly affecting your pup’s ability to eat their regular meals, talk with your vet who may recommend a behavioral professional to help.

Do You Have a Shy Dog? 

If you have an especially sensitive dog, you may need to pay careful attention to where they eat. Some dogs chow down better alone without distractions — especially if said “distraction” is another dog trying to steal a bite of their food. Scolding one dog for stealing another’s food may also discourage them from eating for fear of being punished. If your pup does better dining alone, try to find a quiet, distraction-free place where they can enjoy their meals solo.

Is Your Dog Getting Older?

Healthy senior dogs have a lower calorie requirement than younger pups — so you may notice a slight decrease in appetite as your pup gets older. 

To support your senior dog’s changing needs at mealtime, keep these things in mind:

• Use a raised food bowl if they’re having trouble reaching their food
• Offer them food by hand
• Place non-slip mats under and around their bowls to avoid falls
• Give them soft foods that they can easily chew, or add warm water to their dry food
• Follow a set feeding schedule to help with cognitive decline

While aging creates new challenges at mealtime, it’s still not a reason for a dog refusing food altogether. If you notice a significant change in your senior dog’s appetite, contact your vet.

Is Your Dog On New Medication?

One potential reason for a dog not eating may be that a new medication is upsetting their stomach. Antibiotics can give your pup a stomachache, and some medicines, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can make them nauseous. If your pup is refusing food altogether, call your vet.

Is Your Dog’s Food Suitable?

Just like us humans, dogs want tasty, high-quality food to munch on. If your pup is not a fan of what’s on the menu, first check their dog food’s “Best If Used By” date to make sure it’s still good. Also double-check that you’re storing the food as recommended on the packaging, so it doesn’t go bad.

Low-quality ingredients may also be to blame for your dog’s disinterest in their food. Higher quality ingredients aren’t just better for your dog — they taste better. Choose a dog food with all-natural ingredients, and real protein as the #1 ingredient — like our Jinx kibble or wet food. And if you’re adding a new food to your pup’s mealtime rotation, be sure to introduce it slowly to give your dog time to adapt to the new taste and texture.

Finally, if your dog is not eating, they might just be … bored! No one wants to eat the same thing every single day, even if it’s their favorite dish. Try mixing things up by adding wet food as a mix in or toppers to your dog’s regular meal, and bring some excitement back to mealtime.

Should You Try a New Food Option for Your Dog?

Not all dog food recipes are created equal. If you’ve asked yourself, “Why is my dog not eating?” one too many times, it could be time to change their food entirely.

At Jinx, our goal is to create recipes that are both nutritious and tasty. During an independent extended feeding study, 9 out of 10 dogs preferred the taste of Jinx to the leading kibble brands. If you want to treat your dog to a taste test, try any of our Kibble Samplers or curated bundles. Just remember, if you change your dog’s food you should do so gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach.

A Few More Things You Can Try …

When it comes down to it, some dogs are simply picky eaters. On top of choosing highly palatable, nutritious food (we’ll just leave this link here), you can also try adding a splash of warm water to their kibble to enhance the aroma, sprinkling it with a meal topper, or mixing dry and wet food together to create some textural variation. Here at Jinx, we also have curated packs geared toward picky eaters. Find more tips for dealing with your picky eater in this article.

Lastly, whenever your pup eats their food — praise them! This reinforces their positive behavior, and encourages them to eat future meals.

When to Talk to Your Vet

Sometimes, a dog not eating food or drinking water is a sign of a more serious health issue. If your pup has experienced any of the below, contact your vet ASAP:

• Hasn’t eaten in 24 hours and is sick/has diarrhea
• Hasn’t drank water
• Sudden weight loss
• Unusual low energy
• Showing signs of dental pain or bleeding

FAQs

How Long Can a Dog Go Without Food?

Most adult dogs can go 3 to 5 days without eating, as long as they're still drinking water. However, this does not mean that you should sit idle while your dog isn't eating for several days. If your adult dog hasn't eaten for 2 days but is otherwise acting normal, you should still contact your vet.

Note that diabetic dogs are an exception to this rule. If your diabetic dog is skipping any meals at all, contact your vet. The lack of food may affect their response to insulin.

Puppies need to eat more often than adult dogs, and run the risk of developing low blood sugar if they skip meals. Nursing puppies should eat every 2-4 hours, while puppies closer to 2 months old generally need to eat at least 3 times per day.

If your puppy skips a meal and still seems uninterested in eating a few hours later, contact your vet immediately (especially if this lack of interest in food is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea).

Are There Home Remedies for a Sick Dog Who Isn't Eating?

If your dog is sick and not eating, your vet may recommend that you try boiled chicken and rice at home. It’s very, very important to talk with your vet first before relying on home remedies. As mentioned earlier in this article, your pup’s lack of appetite could be a sign of a more serious health issue!

My Dog Is Not Eating But Is Acting Normal. What Should I Do?

Loss of appetite should never be ignored — even if your dog's behavior hasn't changed. As noted above, lack of appetite can signal a more serious, underlying problem. Contact your vet if you notice any significant change in your pup’s eating habits.

Why Is My Dog Refusing Food, But Drinking Water?

When a pup refuses to eat, but drinks excessive amounts of water (a condition referred to as polydipsia), it could be a symptom of many things —  including diabetes, liver disease, or an infection. If your dog is drinking lots of water but not eating, contact your vet immediately.

At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love. Not sure where to start? Bring the excitement back to mealtime with our Picky Dog Essentials Starter Pack.