What this means
It is worth separating a dog that will not eat from one that wants to but cannot. A dog that comes to the bowl, sniffs with interest, picks up a mouthful and drops it, or chews only on one side, most likely has pain in the mouth. A dog that takes no interest at all and turns away is more often unwell in general.
Time matters, and how much depends on the dog. A healthy adult that skips one meal and stays bright is not an urgent case. A puppy, an elderly dog or one with a long-term illness is a different matter: for them a few hours without food can already be too long, especially alongside vomiting or diarrhoea.
Check whether your dog is drinking. A dog that will not eat but drinks willingly and is bright, and a dog refusing both food and water, are two different situations. The second is far more urgent, because fluid loss starts quickly.
Finally, look around the house. A new bag of food, a different batch, a new animal in the home, a moved bowl, hot weather or a season can all explain a temporary dip in appetite. If nothing like that happened, the reason is better looked for with your vet.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Pain in the mouth or teeth
A damaged tooth or inflamed gums make chewing painful. The pattern is a dog that shows interest but drops the food, chews on one side, or will only take something soft.
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An upset digestive system
Inflammation of the stomach or gut, an inflamed pancreas or a swallowed object all take the appetite away. Vomiting, diarrhoea or a tense belly usually go with it.
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Feeling generally unwell, or a raised temperature
Infection or inflammation anywhere in the body reduces appetite. The dog is flat, sleeps more, and takes less interest in what is going on.
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Problems with the internal organs
Kidney, liver or hormone problems reduce appetite gradually. Thirst, weight and coat condition often change alongside.
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Stress and changes in surroundings
A house move, a new animal, time alone or noise can temporarily remove the wish to eat. Appetite usually returns once the dog settles.
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A change of food or an off smell
A new batch, or a bag opened or kept too long, changes the smell. The dog then refuses that particular food while taking something else happily.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether your dog ignores food entirely, or wants it but drops it
- Whether it is drinking water
- Whether there is vomiting or diarrhoea alongside
- Whether weight is dropping
- Whether the breath smells or the gums look sore
- Whether your dog is bright, or sleeping more and hiding
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if an adult dog has not eaten for more than a day, if the appetite has been fading over several weeks, if weight is dropping, or if your dog eats visibly without enthusiasm. For a puppy, an elderly dog or one with a long-term illness, be seen considerably sooner.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Dental and gum disease Digestion and liver Dental and gum disease starts with plaque that hardens over time into tartar, and the bacteria multiplying beneath it cause inflammation of the gums. Left alone, the inflammation can damage the tissues and bone that hold the tooth in place, so teeth loosen and fall out. A sore mouth troubles a dog every day, and infection in the mouth can affect other organs too.
- Pancreatitis Digestion and liver Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, in which digestive enzymes become active too early and start to irritate the pancreas itself and the tissue around it. It can come on suddenly or smoulder for a long time with repeated flare-ups, and in more severe cases it affects other organs too. The causes vary, so working out what is going on with a particular dog is a job for the vet.
- Kidney disease Kidneys and bladder The kidneys filter the blood, remove waste from the body and help keep the balance of fluids and salts. When they are damaged suddenly, for example by poisoning or infection, or weaken gradually over a longer time, substances they should remove start to build up in the body. Long-term kidney changes can go unnoticed for a long time, because the healthy part of the kidneys takes over the work for a while.
- Cancer Cancer Cancer is not one disease but a whole group of different malignant tumours that can appear in almost any organ or tissue. They can grow slowly or quickly and spread to other parts of the body, so the earlier a change is noticed, the more options a vet has. Only a vet can tell whether a lump or other change is malignant.
- Addison's disease Hormones and metabolism Addison's disease is a condition in which the adrenal glands make too little of certain hormones that help the body cope with stress and keep its balance of salts and water. Its signs are vague and can come and go, so it is easy to miss. The condition can, however, suddenly worsen and become life-threatening, and then the dog needs a vet immediately.
- Anxiety General health Anxiety is a state in which a dog feels tension and fear constantly or far too strongly, even when there is no real danger. It can be set off by being left alone, loud noises, new surroundings or strangers, and long-lasting anxiety wears down both the dog and the whole household. It helps to understand that this behaviour is not stubbornness or disobedience but a sign that the dog is struggling.
- Gastroenteritis Digestion and liver Gastroenteritis is a sudden inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, showing as vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be caused by food picked up or gone off, a sudden change of food, viruses, bacteria, parasites or toxic substances. A mild bout can pass in a day or two, while what caused it, and whether it is a more serious illness, is for a vet to work out.
Body systems: Digestion and liver Kidneys and bladder Cancer Hormones and metabolism General health