What to do if your dog won’t eat?

It is said that humans and dog have about 90% similarities in genetics. There are times when we don’t feel like eating. Even our favorite foods fail to tempt us to eat. Dogs are very similar to their human friends.  Every dog owner would want the pet to be healthy but there are times when feeding the dog become a challenge. Dogs are voracious eaters but for some reasons the dog would suddenly lose the appetite and would go on for days without eating.

Some dogs have insatiable appetites while others are dogs are fussy eaters. Some dogs would wolf down the food while some would act like little ladies and daintily eat. But when a dog with a hearty appetite suddenly turns away from the food and skips several meals, owners would certainly be concerned. The dog’s refusal to eat can be due to a medical problem. Allergies, sore gums, aching teeth and other medical concerns may cause the dog to lose its appetite. Dogs on medication may also shun food. A new brand of dog food or food supplements can be the cause of the non-eating problem. Does you pet have access to the garbage cans? Dogs are less discriminating in what they put in their mouth. Dogs won’t eat when they have upset stomach. So what would you do if your dog won’t eat?

The pet’s refusal to eat can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Take the dog to a medical facility. Blood test and other examinations will be necessary to rule out medical reasons for the dog’s poor appetite.

Does the dog have a habit of filching food from the table…from the garbage cans?  Do the kids and other indulgent family members slip table scraps to the dog waiting under the dining table? Do you give the pet treats and human food every time it snubs the doggie bowl? The pet may have developed a predilection to eating human food. The dog that is refusing to eat the dog food may just be “acting up” and holding out for the tastier human food. Ask the family to refrain from giving the dog human food. Dog food not only contains the necessary vitamins and minerals needed by the dog but it is also adapted to the digestive system of the dog. It would be a good idea to remove the dog from the dining room whenever the family is eating. Provide the dog with its own “dining room” one that is quiet and free from distractions.