【Dog refusal to eat: That's what's behind it

Why is my dog ​​not eating?

If the dog suddenly seems to have no appetite, many things can happen Causes have: Some are rather harmless, but should be remedied quickly so that the animal does not suffer from a nutrient deficiency. Others are signs of more serious problems.

stress

An often underestimated factor that can greatly reduce the desire to eat is Stress. If the four-legged friend does not feel comfortable during the meal, he will often reject it partially or completely.

The Reasons behind it are probably in the phylogeny of the dog: if wild animals are disturbed while eating, this indicates danger. They then prefer to postpone their meal and instead be on guard so as not to fall victim to enemies.

The reasons for this stress are very diverse. This can be the case, for example

• Noise pollution
• Separation anxiety
• Problems with peers or other four-legged friends
• Strangers in the household or too many people
• Lack of sleep
• Missing retreat spaces or even around
• Psychological trauma

act.

Most of the time, stress also manifests itself other symptoms, e.g. restlessness, hyperactivity, nervous behavior, sudden fear or excessive salivation and mouth licking.

Pains

If we humans Pains we often have other things to worry about than the next meal. Dogs are no different: Injuries or inflammation reduce appetite, also because stress hormones are released.

These are particularly treacherous toothache, which are often tolerated by the four-legged friends without any external warning signs: It may well be that the animal is not eating because, for example, the gums are extremely inflamed.

Digestive problems

In quite a few cases they also play Digestive problems a role: If the dog has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, he instinctively reacts by refusing further food.

In many cases these are minor upsets. However, longer-lasting disabilities, such as constipation, can also be responsible. Rather rare, but occasionally crucial, especially in larger breeds, are very dangerous emergencies like stomach twists.

Digestive problems are one comparatively common cause and there is no reason to worry as long as the symptoms subside quickly. However, other symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, combined with loss of appetite, suggest a more severe course.

Follow one medical treatment

The case is more clear if the dog has recently become stronger medical treatment needed: If loss of appetite occurs immediately afterwards, this is usually a side effect that slowly improves over the course of recovery.

After operations it is anesthesia is primarily responsible for the refusal to eat, and the lower physical activity also contributes to the four-legged friend needing less food. Some too medication, in particular painkillers, reduce appetite.

diseases

Unfortunately there are also some diseases, which manifest themselves by refusing to eat. This includes both short-term suffering and long-term, serious illnesses. Then they are very common

• Gastrointestinal infections (often short-term)
• Parasitic infestation
• Diseases of metabolic organs such as kidneys and liver

jointly responsible for it. The loss of appetite almost always comes with it other symptoms associated, e.g. apathy, diarrhea, vomiting or fever.

Poisonings

You have to act immediately if the dog is under Symptoms of poisoning suffers. As soon as the animal has ingested something toxic, it quickly refuses any food. This is then accompanied by other reactions, e.g

• Vomit
• (bloody) diarrhea
• apathetic behavior up to and including unconsciousness
• the four-legged friend's attempt to bind the poison by quickly and almost panickingly ingesting earth, grass, sand and other indigestible substances.

Poisoning is always an acute emergency and must be treated professionally immediately, including using the emergency veterinary service! In most cases it is as First aid It is possible to give the dog charcoal tablets, which require about one gram per kilogram of body weight. However, this does not apply to poisoning that goes directly into the blood, such as insect bites or snake bites.

ageappearances

Furthermore, you shouldn't be surprised if your four-legged friend… advanced age no longer eats like he used to. As the years get older – around the last quarter of life expectancy – a dog becomes significantly calmer.

The Body functions slowly become weaker and the urge to move decreases. At the same time it is increasing Need for sleep: Many seniors rest 20 hours or more every day.

This is nothing to worry about, it's completely natural: With the necessary care, dogs can now live to an impressive old age without their quality of life suffering greatly. The quieter life also means that significantly fewer calories are needed and the appetite then seems to be lower.

Feed change

But some dogs are just that picky: If they don't like their food – this is often the case, especially when switching to a different variety – they often lose their appetite.

The four-legged friends are creatures of habit. If they miss the flavor of their usual food, they quickly become dissatisfied and then refuse to eat. The fear of an initially unfamiliar smell probably also plays a role.

Occasionally it can also happen that a new food is tolerated more poorly. Minor or major digestive problems can then occur that keep the stomach and intestines so busy that the animal simply has no further appetite.

Overfeeding

In many cases, the dog also spurns his food because the animal is simply fed up is. If there is no need to eat despite fixed feeding times, this is often due to the following reasons:

• The dog gets too much food, e.g. because he always finds a full bowl.
• The animal helps itself other food sources, For example, steals food from other animals or steals food.
• Your four-legged friend keeps having little ones – either from you or unnoticed by others snacks, so that he no longer has any appetite for his main meal.

Overfeeding can quickly happen Overweight lead, but at the same time also the Limit nutrient supply. Food that is not intended for four-legged friends often does not contain all the vitamins, minerals and trace elements that the animal needs.

In the long term, the dog may not have an appetite, but it will still getting fatter and unhealthy – similar to people who eat primarily “junk food”.

Hormonal Causes

In a few cases they also play Hormones a role, for example in hyperthyroidism. Short-term loss of appetite is also very common in female dogs, especially during heat.

Also pregnant animals often do not eat anything, this is usually not a bad signal, but a sign that the birth is about to take place. However, bitches with a pseudo-pregnancy often hardly eat at all.

When do I have to go? Vet?

So there are many reasons why a dog won't eat: If your four-legged friend turns down a meal every now and then, I wouldn't worry too much.

However, sometimes it is very advisable or even mandatory to take a closer look and get an expert opinion. You should definitely do this in the following cases vet be presented.

Loss of appetite & other symptoms

So caution is definitely advised if you have a loss of appetite as well other symptoms appear. These usually include, among other things:

• Behavioral changes (e.g. apathetic, aggressive, nervous)
• Movement problems and postures
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Fever (from around 40 degrees in dogs) or even
• Discoloration of the mucous membranes.

All of that lets up Illnesses or injuries close that need to be treated professionally.

Dog refuses over longer time, to take in food

It is usually assumed that the dog maximum three days shouldn't eat without having to worry. If the appetite does not return by then, it is very likely that the dog has serious health problems.

Showing it to the vet is not only necessary to get to the bottom of a supposed illness: there is also that Nutrient supply After a few days, your blood count and bone structure could be damaged, so you should take action quickly.

Stronger weight loss

Another big warning sign is associated with loss of appetite rapid, visible weight loss. If the dog loses weight unplanned, this means that not only the head but also the body is affected.

So you shouldn't hesitate, but make an appointment with your trusted veterinarian immediately.