By Dr. Sarah Myers, DVM. Reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Davis, MVB
If your dog is not eating for one meal, you can try waiting it out to see if it’s a behavioral issue rather than a medical one.
If your dog is not eating for more than one meal, it’s time to contact your veterinary clinic. Many causes of loss of appetite are caused by a serious illness, and require medical treatment. Unless you are advised otherwise by your veterinary team, you can try offering your dog a treat at their mealtime if they are refusing their regular food to see if they are more interested in this.
Other options to try include:
- Feeding your dog tasty and easy to digest foods, such as plain cooked rice and chicken
- Adding some bland bone brother to their food
- Taking them for a walk before mealtime
The situation becomes more of a concern when a dog with a typically good appetite refuses treats and home cooked food, or if a dog is also drinking more or less water than usual.
