Is your dog losing weight but eating a normal (or increased) amount? If you aren’t trying to get him or her to shed some pounds, this could be a sign of a medical condition. To help prepare you for your dog’s visit to the vet, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses the 10 most common causes of weight loss in dogs.
If you’re not actively helping your pup lose some excess pounds, unexplained weight loss can be a bit concerning. And it can be downright alarming if your dog is eating the same amount of food, or worse yet, more food, but still losing body mass!
If your adult or senior dog is losing weight but still eating, it is generally best to get your vet involved sooner rather than later. However, you can play an important role in the diagnostic process too. After all, you know your dog better than anyone else. It is amazing how many times something that a dog parent mentions during the examination helps point me toward the right diagnosis.
With this in mind, my goals for writing this article are two-fold. First, I want to teach you how to gather the information at home that can help your vet help your dog. Then I want to equip you with knowledge about the top 10 reasons a dog might be eating but losing weight so that, again, you can partner with your vet to help your dog.
- How do you get to the bottom of why a dog is losing weight but eating?
- 10 Reasons a dog is losing weight but eating
- #1: Kidney disease
- #2: Liver disease
- #3: Dental disease
- #4: Cancer
- #5: Diabetes mellitus
- #6: Adrenal gland diseases
- #7: Heart disease
- #8: Inflammatory bowel disease
- #9: Megaesophagus
- #10: Parasites
- How can you help a dog who is losing weight start gaining weight?
- Partner with your veterinarian
- Why was your dog losing weight but eating?
How do you get to the bottom of why a dog is losing weight but eating?
When it comes to solving any doggie medical mystery, a good physical examination and history come first. This often starts with a preliminary “check-up” in your own home. (But don’t worry— your vet will perform a comprehensive physical examination as well.)
To evaluate your dog at home, you may want to consider using my 5-minute tip-to-tail dog wellness scan method. While looking your pup over from head to toe, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are there some areas where weight loss seems to be more localized, like over the hind limbs? Or is my dog’s weight loss generalized?
- Is my dog’s overall shape the same? Or does he or she have a pot-bellied dog appearance with poor muscle mass?
- Does my dog have any problems with eating or drinking? (e.g. dropping of food, vomiting, difficulty swallowing)
- Has anything changed about my dog’s food recently (e.g. new bag, new formulation, new brand)?
- Has my dog’s activity or stress level changed (e.g. getting a new puppy, more walks now that the weather is nice)? Sometimes the explanation may be as is as simple as your dog is starting to burn more calories than he or she takes in.
- Is my dog acting more hungry? Less hungry?
- Is he or she showing increased thirst in dogs? Drinking less water?
- Have there been any changes in my dog’s stool consistency, frequency, or appearance?
- How does my dog’s body condition score (BCS) compare to what it was previously? (Use the chart below as a reference for scoring your dog.) Over what time period has it changed? (Sometimes going back and looking at pictures of your dog can help with this.)
Then take this information (perhaps recorded on a piece of paper or in your phone) with you to the vet appointment. That way you can give your vet a clear and concise picture of what is going on with your dog.
What to expect during the vet appointment
Based on that information, your dog’s past medical history, and the physical exam findings, your veterinarian will discuss the next steps with you. This often involves diagnostic testing such as:
- Bloodwork (e.g. chemistry panel, thyroid panel, complete blood count)
- Urinalysis
- Imaging (e.g. X-rays or ultrasound)
- Fecal tests
- Additional follow-up tests like biopsies, cultures, specialized blood tests, etc.
These tests can often help the vet further differentiate between the various causes of weight loss that we are about to discuss. (Or sometimes they may point to a condition that didn’t happen to make my top 10 list.)
10 Reasons a dog is losing weight but eating
As mentioned, there are numerous diseases that cause weight loss in our canine companions. But there are 10 in particular that I want to highlight for you.
#1: Kidney disease
Kidney failure in dogs is one of the most common reasons for a senior dog losing weight but eating. Normally, the kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins out of the blood, then removing them from the body via the urine. Plus, the kidneys help maintain the delicate balance of electrolytes, fluid, proteins, and other substances in the body. However, when the kidneys become diseased, they can no longer perform these important functions. As a result, the dog becomes sick.
Dogs with kidney disease experience unexplained weight loss because they are breaking down fat and muscle, especially as they advance through the stages of kidney disease in dogs. Plus, these dogs typically experience other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, being a lethargic dog, and increased thirst and urination. Older dogs with kidney failure may also be more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs in dogs). This can result in urinary accidents or seeing blood in the urine.
Typically, the vet will use a combination of elevated kidney enzymes on bloodwork and changes in the urinalysis (e.g. decreased urine concentration), to make the diagnosis of kidney failure. From there, he or she may recommend some additional test such as urine cultures, X-rays, or ultrasounds to get a better picture of your dog’s situation. Based on that information, the vet will devise a treatment plan. It may involve fluid therapy (such as subcutaneous fluids for dogs), diet change, and/or certain medications to manage symptoms or slow disease progression.
#2: Liver disease
Another common reason an older dog may be losing weight but eating is liver disease in dogs. Your dog’s liver has many important functions, from breaking down various nutrients to removing toxins from the body. It is no surprise then that when the liver is no longer working correctly, a dog can show a variety of clinical signs.
For example, dogs with liver disease may have trouble digesting, absorbing, or metabolizing nutrients properly. This can lead to weight loss. Additionally, they may experience abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice (i.e. yellowing of the skin), fluid accumulation in the abdomen (i.e. ascites), increased thirst and urination, and dog nose bleeds (or other signs of abnormal blood clotting).
Dogs with liver disease usually have elevated liver enzymes on bloodwork (e.g. high ALP in dogs). And they may also have changes to the liver size, shape, or architecture on imaging. The vet will use this information, any additional diagnostics that might be indicated, and an understanding of the underlying cause of the liver failure (if known) to create a treatment plan. Since there are a variety of causes of liver failure, the exact treatment may vary. But a special diet, or other supportive measures, tend to be part of the plan.
#3: Dental disease
If you have ever had a toothache, you probably know how excruciating dental pain can be. However, dogs are stoic and the signs of oral pain in dogs can be subtle. This means it can go undetected for a period of time, sometimes until it starts causing weight loss.
In some cases of dental disease in dogs, it may appear that your pup still has a good appetite. But in other cases, he or she may start eating less. And dogs with severe oral pain may even choose not to eat at all. Thus, it is important to be vigilant for signs of oral pain like drooling excessively when eating, chewing on one side of the mouth, or dropping bits of dog food. Plus, you should watch for symptoms of general dental disease like bad breath, bloody saliva, or a dog losing teeth.
If your vet suspects your dog’s teeth are to blame, he or she will probably recommend a thorough oral examination under general anesthesia. This allows your vet to evaluate and clean the surfaces of the teeth above and below the gum line. Plus, he or she can take dental X-rays to look for evidence of periodontal disease (i.e. inflammation of the structures surrounding the teeth), dog tooth abscesses, or other problems.
Sometimes the veterinarian may need to perform a dog tooth extraction if a tooth is broken, loose, or otherwise compromised. Or in other situations, your vet may refer you to a veterinary dentist for more specialized treatments like a root canal. The vet will also talk with you about at-home oral hygiene strategies like brushing your dog’s teeth. And he or she may recommend routine veterinary dental cleanings going forward.
#4: Cancer
No one ever wants to hear the word “cancer,” but unfortunately it is another reason that an older dog may be losing weight. Sometimes cancer in dogs is a discrete tumor like a mast cell tumor in dogs or bladder cancer in dogs. Other times, it could be something more generalized like lymphoma in dogs or leukemia.
Dogs with cancer can appear mostly asymptomatic at first. They may be eating normally but losing weight very slowly. Over time, they might start showing other signs depending on the tumor type. Some dogs develop a lump or enlarged lymph nodes in dogs. Others may have trouble urinating due to prostate cancer in dogs, or experience life-threatening internal bleeding from a ruptured hemangiosarcoma in dogs.
However, dogs with most types of cancer will also experience more generalized signs like vomiting, obvious weight loss, pain, coughing, and lethargy. These symptoms may be due to the original tumor or the spread of the tumor cells (i.e. metastasis) to other areas of the body.
Reaching a cancer diagnosis can look a bit different depending on the type of cancer. However, it often involves a fine needle aspirate or biopsy. These tests allow the vet to examine the tumor cells to determine if they are malignant (i.e. cancerous) or benign.
Then, based on the type of cancer, your vet or a veterinary oncologist can discuss your dog’s treatment options. Thankfully, there are now numerous cancer treatments available for dogs, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
#5: Diabetes mellitus
On the other hand, some disorders can result in rapid weight loss in dogs, especially senior dogs. One such condition is diabetes mellitus (diabetes in dogs), which affects the ability of the body to use and store glucose (i.e. sugar). Normally, the pancreas releases insulin, which drives glucose from the blood into the cells. However, dogs with diabetes don’t produce enough insulin. Thus, glucose stays in the blood and cannot move into cells to provide energy.
Since the body can’t use glucose for energy, it ends up breaking down fat and muscle to use as alternative energy sources. This results in weight loss despite a good, or often even increased, appetite. Additionally, dogs with diabetes mellitus frequently have increased thirst and increased urination. Many will also develop cataracts in dogs at some point in their life due to high blood glucose levels.
Typically, the vet will diagnose your dog with diabetes mellitus based on elevated blood glucose on the chemistry panel and evidence of glucose in the urine. However, there are times when he or she may recommend additional tests.
The mainstay of diabetes treatment is lifelong insulin injections. I know it may sound intimidating at first, but the veterinary team can teach you how to administer insulin. Plus, your vet can also give you tips on feeding your diabetic dog and monitoring for complications like diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs (DKA) and low blood sugar.
#6: Adrenal gland diseases
The adrenal glands are responsible for the production of multiple hormones. These include cortisol (i.e. the stress hormone), aldosterone (which controls sodium and potassium levels), sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen), and the fight-or-flight hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine). Keeping those hormones in balance is important because they help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other parameters.
Cortisol in particular is a hormone that can cause weight loss if there is too much of it (i.e. Cushing’s disease in dogs) or too little of it (i.e. Addison’s disease in dogs). Dogs with Cushing’s disease tend to lose weight due to muscle wasting. But dogs with Addison’s disease tend to experience weight loss due to poor appetite.
Additionally, dogs with Cushing’s disease often have a ravenous appetite, hair loss or poor hair coat, and increased thirst and urination. On the other hand, dogs with Addison’s typically have vague and non-specific signs like lethargy, weakness, or GI upset.
Both Addison’s and Cushing’s can be diagnosed via several specific blood tests. Additionally, some dogs will need an abdominal ultrasound to look for an adrenal tumor (one cause of Cushing’s disease). After reaching a diagnosis, the vet will prescribe medications like trilostane for dogs to suppress cortisol production for Cushing’s dogs. Or he or she will use medications to replace the missing cortisol and/or aldosterone for dogs with Addison’s disease.
#7: Heart disease
Dogs of all ages—from young puppies with congenital heart defects to older dogs with acquired heart disease in dogs—may lose weight when their heart starts to fail. Typically, this is due to a combination of muscle wasting (i.e. cardiac cachexia) and loss of body fat from inappetence.
Heart disease may affect the heart muscle, valves, blood vessels, or conduction system, depending on the underlying condition. Initially, the dog may be asymptomatic. But as the disease progresses, it can cause symptoms such as coughing, weakness, exercise intolerance, collapse, and difficulty breathing. Often dogs with severe breathing trouble will also have a decreased appetite or no appetite at all.
Sometimes your veterinarian may detect an abnormal heart rhythm, heart murmur in dogs, or abnormal lung sounds on a physical exam. Or your dog’s symptoms may raise the suspicion of heart disease. From there, the vet may recommend specific tests such as chest X-rays, blood pressure measurement, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), and/or heart ultrasound (i.e. echocardiogram) to further evaluate the heart.
Based on that information, the vet can develop a treatment plan. This often involves medications to help the heart pump more effectively, correct abnormal rhythms, and remove fluid build-up from the lungs.
#8: Inflammatory bowel disease
As you might imagine, conditions that affect the ability of the stomach and intestinal tract to move food from one end to the other and absorb nutrients can also lead to weight loss despite a great appetite. The last three conditions we are going to discuss all fall into that category.
As the name would imply, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD in dogs) occurs when the intestines become inflamed. The exact cause of the inflammation is not well understood. But it seems to be related to the interactions between the dog’s diet, environment, intestinal bacteria, and immune system.
Affected dogs typically have GI signs like chronic, intermittent vomiting and diarrhea. However, IBD can also cause unexplained weight loss in dogs with few or no other symptoms.
To definitively diagnose IBD, the veterinarian needs to collect intestinal biopsies and examine the cells under a microscope. However, sometimes the vet will presumptively diagnose a dog with IBD instead. This process involves both ruling out other causes of weight loss and seeing an improvement on immunosuppressive medications and/or a special hypoallergenic diet.
#9: Megaesophagus
Another digestive condition that can lead to weight loss with a good appetite is megaesophagus in dogs. In this case, the problem is that much of the food the dog eats isn’t even making it past the esophagus.
Normally, a combination of muscle layers and nerve fibers allows the esophagus (i.e. the tube connecting the mouth and stomach) to move food and water down to your dog’s stomach. However, in megaesophagus, the nerve fibers malfunction or something blocks the esophagus. As a result, the esophagus gradually distends and is no longer able to push food down to the stomach.
The food and water will accumulate in the esophagus and often come back up again. This passive expulsion of undigested food from the esophagus is called regurgitation. It is not the same as vomiting, which involves retching and abdominal contractions to bring food up from the stomach.
Most dogs with megaesophagus will act normally initially and have a ravenous appetite. However, they often lose weight rapidly because, despite eating plenty of food, they regurgitate most of that food again. This leaves very little food to pass through the stomach and intestinal tract to nourish the body.
Often the vet will be able to diagnose megaesophagus by seeing a distended esophagus on chest X-rays. But occasionally he or she will recommend some more specialized imaging. Dogs with megaesophagus benefit from treatment of the underlying cause (if one is found) and special feeding arrangements. This may involve being fed in a special chair that holds them upright and eating canned food “meatballs,” or food blended into a slurry.
#10: Parasites
Last, but certainly not least, intestinal parasites can also cause a dog to lose weight but be eating normally. Of all the causes on the list, parasites are probably the “best” one for your dog to have. Parasites are simple to detect and treat and usually don’t cause ongoing issues.
There are various species of intestinal parasites that sometimes lead to weight loss in dogs, such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, giardia, and tapeworms. Dogs may acquire parasites via the fecal-oral route (i.e. ingesting the worm eggs or giardia cysts shed through the feces of other animals), via the placenta or milk of their mother, through their skin, or after consuming an infected animal or flea. (To learn more, check out one of my favorite parasite resources, Pets & Parasites.)
Many dogs with parasites are asymptomatic. However, parasites do suck blood or take nutrients from the partially digested food found within the intestines and can cause damage to the intestines. This means that in high enough numbers they can potentially cause weight loss. Additionally, parasitized dogs may have other signs like diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and lethargy.
To screen for intestinal parasites, the vet will perform a fecal test for dogs (e.g. fecal flotation and Giardia antigen test). Plus, he or she may look for rice-like dried tapeworm segments near your dog’s anus since tapeworm eggs don’t tend to show up well on fecal tests. Once the vet knows which parasite is the problem, he or she will prescribe the correct anti-parasitic medication.
How can you help a dog who is losing weight start gaining weight?
Once your vet has figured out why your dog is losing weight, he or she will speak with you about how to treat that particular condition. Getting the problem under control might, in and of itself, help your dog stop losing weight. However, your vet may also talk with you about some strategies for helping your dog gain weight again.
Sometimes, weight gain can be achieved by simply increasing the amount of food your dog eats. Keep in mind that you should make any increases gradually. And keep them to no more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake at a time. Feeding too much extra food can lead to stomach upset or even bloat in dogs.
Additionally, dogs with muscle wasting can sometimes benefit from diets that contain extra amino acids and highly digestible proteins. However, it is best to consult with your vet before making the switch to those foods. Excess protein may worsen some conditions like kidney or liver disease.
Even with these measures, there may come a time when a dog is no longer eating well and continues to lose weight. At that point, your vet may suggest using appetite simulants for dogs, feeding a high-calorie and highly palatable food, or trying other supportive measures.
Partner with your veterinarian
Hopefully, you have a better idea of the various reasons your dog might be chowing down on his or her food but still losing weight. And you have also been reminded of the important role that you play in your dog’s healthcare. By routinely observing your dog at home, and monitoring his or her body condition score, you can quickly detect abnormal weight loss.
And then, by promptly bringing your dog to the vet, sharing your observations, and allowing the vet to run the necessary diagnostics, you can help your vet help your dog. Keep in mind that sometimes the answer shows up on the first diagnostic test. But in other situations, it can take several tests and some time to find the underlying cause of the weight loss. Either way, rest assured that your vet is in your corner. Together, you can get to the bottom of your dog’s weight loss.
Why was your dog losing weight but eating?
Please share your dog’s story below.
Hi there! Stumbled across your thread and thought I’d get your opinion.
Our St. Bernard just turned 7. She went from 130lbs to 115lbs in just a few short weeks. She has had an ongoing UTI that she has been on antibiotics for during this time of weight loss. She has incontinence that has gotten worse, hence why we took her into the vet in the first place to address that issue, which is where they found the UTI.
The weight loss was obviously concerning so our vet did blood work, urine analysis/culture, X-rays and a bedside ultrasound. Other than the UTI everything is normal!
We are scratching our heads as to why she has lost all this weight so quickly. She is eating totally normal, having normal bowel movements, and her energy hasn’t changed. She is a very active St. Bernard and we still take her on her daily walks where she maintains a pep in her step.
I should also mention we brought home our third baby during this time as well (and she was moved from sleeping in our bedroom to sleeping in the laundry room). I’m not sure if it could be stress related.
Any thoughts would be so appreciated!
Hi Ky,
I understand your concern for your big girl with this ongoing weight loss. I am not sure what the cause could be but am suspicious the recent life changes may be contributing to the situation. It is possible for dogs to lose weight due to stress and anxiety. Do you know if your girl is sleeping well in the laundry room or if she is restless and staying up all night? Also, your pup could be in the early stages of developing a new problem but there just aren’t enough symptoms or changes to help with making a diagnosis at this point. Continue to monitor her closely and keep your vet updated on any changes. Hoping for answers and praying for many happy years ahead for your sweet girl.
Hello, my name is Tara and my dog is Bailey. She will be 12 in May 2025 and is a mix of Boxer and American Staffordshire Terrier. She weighed 75 pounds in 2/24, down to 71 in 8/24 and today, October 7 she weighed 68 pounds. Her bloodwork in February and August were both normal. They are suggesting she go for an abdominal ultrasound because of her weight loss. There are no other issues with her besides anxiety. For the first time in her entire life I’m now leaving her for 3 hours a day Monday-Friday. Could stress be the reason for the weight loss? She is very well taken care of, supplements, blueberries everyday and still has a great deal of energy. Arthritis seems to be her only issue as she struggles to get comfortable at times and takes Carprofen and Gabapentin for that. I’m going to begin with added protein such as turkey, sardines, eggs before stressing her with an ultrasound.
Hi Tara,
I am sorry your girl is losing weight and dealing with ongoing anxiety. While stress can cause weight loss (and who knows if she is pacing constantly while you are away) I too would want to rule out other more serious causes before assuming a behavioral issue is to blame. I know you don’t want to put her through anything that isn’t necessary. But I like to err on the side of caution and would hate to miss something important that could have been easily treated if found early enough. What did you decide to do? How is Bailey today? Hoping all is well and praying her weight will stabilize. Best wishes to you and your sweet girl!
My 2 year old dog has lost 3kgs in the past 3 months. She has a very good appetite. Eats more than usual. But her stomach makes loud noises after meals & is gassy. Her stool is soft & yellow which turns grey later. I give her dewormer every month. I’m giving her pre & pro biotics & I’ve also tried liver tonic but she still continues to loose weight & is gassy & the stools are soft.
Hi Shiny,
I understand your concern for your pup with these strange GI issues she is exhibiting. Without examining her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. I do think this needs to be investigated by your vet. It is likely some blood work will need to be pursued. Hoping for clear answers and an easy solution. Wishing you both the best and praying for a positive outcome.
I’ve a 3 year old silver lab unneutered and an English Cream Retriever spayed. In January due to problems with diarrhea and vomiting I switched them from dry kibble to homecooked food. They’re doing well on this in the sense the prior problems are gone however my lab has dropped weight. Took him to the vet who said he’s very trim but healthy, muscles good and I should feed him more if worried about weight. His carbs are sweet potatoes and rice. What could I use instead or in addition that might help put healthy fat on him? His main protein is chicken, and 3 times a week beef organs in addition.
Hi Luanne,
I think it is great you are paying such close attention to your dogs’ weight and nutrition. They are very lucky to have you taking such good care of them and advocating for their health and well-being. If you vet thinks your Lab is trim but healthy, I am not sure I would try to get him to gain weight. A trim body condition will help to prevent the onset of arthritis and many other diseases and conditions. If you want to add some extra fats and ensure his diet is well balanced, I recommend looking around on the Balance.it website. Here is a link where you can choose ingredients to tailor a well-rounded home cooked meal for your boy: https://balance.it/recipes
Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work!
Hello there, my 8 year old dog has suddenly lost 3.5lbs over the last 10 weeks (21.5lbs to 18lbs). 12 weeks ago she was worked up for a number of things (including parasites) due to nausea/vomiting, following food changes that happened while we were traveling and didn’t have access to her normal diet. All of her extensive bloodwork and fecal sample came back normal and she quickly recovered once on her more strict diet. She has not had any n/v for 10 weeks. 8 weeks ago I gave birth to a new baby, and we have been exercising a little bit less. But still getting out for 2 walks per day. My dog doesn’t seem to want more than that anyways. She is very gentle with the baby but is now more lethargic, has shaky legs after a longer walk and is obviously losing muscle mass. She has not obvious signs of other conditions her appetite, digestion, urination, respiration/coughing are all she same as they have been. She did appear to have what I thought were seasonal allergies that started about 6 weeks ago with the appearance of a lot of eye weeping/gunk.
Do you have any thoughts on what else I should be looking at? Could stress cause this severe of a weight loss on its own?
Thank you so much. We are so concerned.
Hi Darcie,
I am sorry your pup has had so many issues over the past few weeks. Stress can definitely cause strange symptoms and behaviors and the addition of a new baby (congratulations!!!) does change EVERYTHING as I am sure you already know. While it would be easy to blame your dog’s problems on this new life change, I always like to rule out medical causes before focusing on behavioral issues. I understand your girl just had a full workup 12 weeks ago, but so much can change in that period of time. I think it would be best to contact your vet and let them do an exam and decide if any testing needs to be repeated. Hoping you can get the answers you need to ensure your girl is on the right track. Best wishes to you and your family. ♥
Hi my 13 year old cockapoo has been on medication for cushings and this has helped with her ravenous appetite and urinating when asleep. She has been slowly losing weight. However she was recently very poorly and following an ultrasound scan and various blood tests she has been diagnosed with pancreatitis. Cushings medication was ceased and she is on a low fat diet. She is eating well, but her cushings symptoms are back. She is losing a lot of weight now. She is back on her cushings medication but on a lower dose – still wetting, ravenous etc. she has no obvious symptoms of the pancreatitis but shows high levels in her bloods still. How can we increase her calorie intake if she needs to be on a low fat diet? Also are we at the stage of needing to say goodbye?
Hi Tracy,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with two different issues at the same time. It can be very tricky to balance everything and manage these difficult conditions. Honestly, I am not sure how to advise you to proceed. It might be a good idea to ask for a consultation with an internal medicine specialist and even contact a veterinary nutritionist to help formulate an ideal diet for your pup. I will attach links to other articles with helpful information and guidance on how to know when is best to say goodbye. Sometimes it is best to stop the fight and just offer peace and rest. I encourage you to trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. Praying for strength and clarity as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. When To Euthanize A Dog With Cushing’s Disease: A Vet’s Advice
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I’m just curious about a second opinion. I have a 13 year old GS mix. He’s been on a hydrolyzed diet for about 6-7 years because he was diagnosed with colitis. We have kept his symptoms under good control over the years, but probably about 3 years ago we noticed his increased ravenous appetite and increased thirst. We had a very good vet who always listened to us and he did some bloodwork. It came back he had a low B12 so we now give monthly injections, but we have not noticed any improvement. It’s only gotten worse. If I gave him something to eat every hour he would eat. In the last year he has started eating dog poop (NEVER did that before) and eating things like napkins if he finds one. He has also lost weight the past year (about 6 pounds – he was always around 63lbs now about 57lbs). He’s always hungry, always thirsty. We think it could be pancreatic insufficiency. What do you think? His bloodwork for diabetes came back negative a few years ago. He goes for new bloodwork at the end of the month if by increasing his food he either loses more weight or doesn’t gain. Any thoughts?
Hi Cheryl,
I am sorry you are facing this unknown issue with your senior guy. From what you describe, the pancreas could definitely be the problem, but there are too many other possibilities to make specific conclusions at this point. It sounds like there may need to be more in-depth investigation. Have you considered asking for a consultation with an internal medicine specialist? Also, abdominal ultrasound could offer some good information. Hoping you can get the answers you need to restore your boy’s health and well-being. He is very lucky to have you advocating for him. Wishing you all the best and praying for a clear path forward.
hey my 1yr old dog, mixed Stafford shier, American box mixed, keep losing weight, rapidly she gains and then lose it with in a day are 2,I’m currently trying to dewormer, she gains it back but loses it in a day are 2, she is full of life runs plays seems not to be in pain,she eats late at night, when she plays she tiers out easily, last time we done a stool sample the vet didn’t see anything, he say just watch what she eats, but still nothing,I’m become very concerned
Hi Deena,
I understand your concern for your young pup and these worrisome changes to her weight. Without examining her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. I am wondering how much weight she is gaining and losing. Are you actually weighing her or just noticing a change in how her body looks? The reason I ask is because I am a bit suspicious that you may be seeing changes in her abdomen which can be a sign of fluid accumulation or even an internal bleed. If her abdomen is becoming big it could be signs of something serious. Has your girl ever been seen by the vet while she is bigger (before the sudden weight loss occurs)? I am thinking it would be a good idea to have some lab work checked and consider more in-depth testing. Hoping you can get some answers and ensure your girl remains happy and healthy. Wishing you all the best for many years to come and praying for a positive outcome.
Hi,
My 8 year old German Shepherd/Husky mix has consistently been losing weight since the end of Feb. I do have him on weight loss kibble mixed with boiled chicken breast. He is drinking alot of water, hungry alot and urinating more. He also licks himself down below more than usual He had bloodwork, a fecal test, and urinalysis done 3 weeks ago and everything was normal. I’m puzzled by this, what do you think?
Hi Gina,
I understand you are concerned for your boy but glad to hear that his blood work and other tests were all within the normal range. You mentioned you are feeding a weight loss diet, so I am a bit confused as to why you are worrying about your dog losing weight? Do you think he is losing weight too fast? Does he now have a low body condition score? Here is a link to another article with more information: Find Your Dog’s Body Condition Score (BCS): Your How-To Guide
If you need to slow down the weight loss or maintain your dog’s current weight, then it may be time to switch to a regular maintenance diet or start adding back in more calories. If you have any lingering concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet or even ask for a consultation with a specialist. Wishing you all the best!
what happened to you about it again
My 12-year old Pomapoo was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure in February and the vet put him on Vetmedin. I took him back to the vet in mid-March because he was having coughing fits all day and night. At first there were just a few, but they started increasing. The vet did an x-ray, and as expected, found his heart was enlarged, but he said it wasn’t that bad. He has a congenital heart murmur and collapsing trachea, but those conditions have never seemed to bother him. The x-ray showed a very slight amount of fluid in his lungs, so the vet started him on a diuretic and an 8-day course of a steroid-antibiotic. His coughing spells immediately stopped, but then started again as soon as the 8-day med was finished. He’s still eating and drinking normally, and he’s been his cheerful, loving self, but today I noticed a different look in his eyes. It’s hard to describe, but I’m wondering if he’s in pain. I know dogs hide pain, so how can I tell? Is it possible he’s just declining due to the heart failure? He looks thinner, too, but he’s not bony looking anywhere.
Hi CJ,
I understand your concern for your senior guy with these recent changes to his health. What you describe does sound typical of the steady decline that can be seen with worsening heart disease. I am not sure there is anything more you could be doing at this point. It sounds like your vet has been very thorough with testing and treatment. My best advice is to make sure your vet is updated on any changes (no matter how small) as you notice them. Pain is hard to diagnose, especially in the early stages. It may not be a bad idea to ask your vet about pain management just in case. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted. I am certain your boy knows how much he is loved. Wishing you all the best as you continue to navigate this difficult path. Bless you both.
My Lagotto Romagnolo was starting to rapidly lose weight and we discovered he had parasites. After he was treated, he still continues to be super slim. He has gained a little weight but is still very under weight. Behavior wise, he is still acting as himself. He’s still showing signs of being a happy and playful boy. We’re planning to take him to the vet very soon and hopefully get my boy some more weight on his bones and get him back to how he was.
Hi Cas,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Hoping you can find the best way to restore your boy’s health and well-being. Best wishes and good luck!
Hi
My dog keeps falling and is losing weight rapidly . Vet has suspected nerve degeneration and he has been injected with nerve strengthening injections but all in vain
He is becoming weaker day by day and now losing complete balance . No control on bowels . Appetite has increased but difficulty in eating and refusing water though we are feeding him with soups to maintain water content in his body . He is not able to sleep in the night and seems to b in discomfort .
He is a 7 yr ops lab and all of a sudden his condition deteriorated after a vet got him sedated for ear cleaning
Kindly help
Dear Nidhi,
I am sorry your Lab is not doing well, and his health is deteriorating. Unfortunately, without examining him myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. From what you describe, there may not be much you can do to turn things around. Your boy may be nearing the end of his days, and sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving option. If you have any lingering concerns or want to know if there are any treatment options that have not yet been explored, my best advice is to ask for a referral to a specialist. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decisions for you and your sweet boy. Wishing you the best of luck and praying for a positive outcome.
My 3 years old German Shepherd has problems in gaining weight. Few months ago she had inflamed bowel disease, the Vet prescribed medicine and she gained some weight since then (she was 43 lb at that time) but still skinny, specially compering to her mother. My girl seems to be very healthy, great coat, lots of energy and is constantly hungry. I feed her twice as much as her mother. The stool has yellowish color. We live on acreage and although I watch her, she is a real scavenger and gets into garbage sometimes. Today she ate about a pound of rotten potatoes before I could dispose of them. Now I worry…..Any suggestions what I should do to help her gain weight? Her spine is showing and also the ribs. Any tips and comments will be very welcome. Thank you…..
Hi Yolanta,
I understand your concern for your young dog and these worrisome symptoms. Without examining her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. From what you describe, it makes me a bit suspicious about exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It might be worth talking to your vet and pursuing some more in-depth testing. Hoping you can get some answers and find a way to restore your Shepherd’s quality of life. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Hi! Hailey is my 14-15 year old lurcher (not sure of the age as she’s a rescue) who is a greyhound/deerhound mix. So, she’s OLD! She has lots of bumps and lumps that we have decided to ignore as they don’t seem to bother her and we don’t want to put her through any ‘unnecessary’ procedures (if she were younger, then yes). Normally, her weight is teetering a bit above 35kg; at the moment it’s around 30-31, which strikes me as a bit too much loss. Most of the loss is over her hindquarters. She actually looks ok, except for the bony hips and thighs. She’s stopped wanting to eat breakfast, and saves it for ‘tea’ at 4pm. Once she’s done, then she wants a second dinner, then a snack, and then a third dinner. She’s really vociferous about getting more food. She’ll take treats any time of day. She’s still game for walks but not as far and not as much running (as if!). Poops are fine. What worries me is that she is eating about 2.5 to 3 times what she ate when she was in her prime, and not gaining any weight, even losing it. I had a good read through your notes above but no eureka moment. She was always a very active, if not hyperactive, hound — bouncing around and running everywhere. Her slow-down strikes me as normal for her age (maybe +105 in human terms?). She is very reluctant to show pain (more than usual in dogs — she’s my 10th dog, my 11th is a 3-yr old SDH).
Normally, I would feed her about a cup of dry food and 400g of wet food, twice a day. The dry food seemed to bother her stomach so she’s now eating, I’d estimate, about 1500g per day of wet food only. Maybe it’s incomplete? It’s not supposed to be but who knows? Is this age-related?
I would appreciate it if you could suggest something that might help.
Many thanks
Hi Allie,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and think it is great you are searching for answers. From what you describe, it sounds like your girl is losing lean muscle mass and not just fat. This is fairly common in geriatric dogs but can cause mobility issues and weakness. As dogs age they can also lose the ability to adequately absorb the appropriate amount of nutrients from their food or the body can struggle with utilizing the nutrients it is taking in. Of course, I can’t make specific conclusions without examining your pup myself. As long as your vet has not noticed any abnormalities on her routine exams and her blood work looks good, I would think you are doing everything you can to help maintain her health and happiness. The daily exercise is wonderful and will help to slow the progression of muscle loss. Wishing you both nothing but the best. Take care and keep up the good work!
I have a 8 to 9 year old Great Dane she go through. where she has yellow green mucus snot and gets extremely skinny like skin and bones hair loss and patches she has tumors that you can visually see throughout her body nothing massive normally I’ll just give her a round of antibiotics or steroids and it helps bounce her back over a period of time she eats very well so that’s not the issue any suggestions she looks awful and pitiful she seems to be happy not depressed at all but it’s embarrassing to let her outside to use the bathroom I’m afraid somebody may think I’m abusing her by how skinny she is I don’t know if it’s starting to be the end of life and I need to put her down she seems to hold the bowels just fine she’s extremely thirsty but always has been and she doesn’t have a problem eating any ideas I’m open to try
Hi Kristen,
I am sorry your big girl is having so many issues. I understand your concern and wish there was something I could do to help. Unfortunately, without knowing the cause of her problems, it is hard to make specific recommendations on how to treat them. 9 is very old for a Great Dane. With all you described, it does have me worried she may be nearing the end of her life. Please reach out to your vet and make sure they are aware of your concerns. They may have some good suggestions of things that could help improve your girl’s quality of life. Best wishes and take care.
Hi. My 10 yr. Old Maltese started taking Trilostane for cushings in December. Since starting this med she has lost lots of weight so she went back to her vet and was diagnosed with Diabetes.
My husband wants to stop this med as she is slowly withering away. Prior to starting it she was 17 lbs. 3 weeks on meds and she’s down to 12.6.
Dear Karen,
I am sorry your dog’s health is not doing well and I understand your concern. Without examining your pup myself, it is hard to know if the weight loss is something to worry about or not. Cushing’s disease causes abnormally high levels of steroids/cortisol in the body. Steroids cause weight gain and so it would be expected to see some weight loss after starting treatment and lowering the body’s circulating cortisol levels. It is very possible that the Cushing’s and Diabetes themselves are causing your girl’s decline and impacting her quality of life. It is always ok to stop treatment and pursue palliative/hospice care instead, but please make sure your vet is aware of these issues and how you want to proceed. Hoping you can find a clear path forward and wishing you comfort during this difficult time.
My 11 year old beagle is losing weight, he has no other symptoms. He still eats as much as he can, drinks normally, toilets normally, exercises at usual. I have been giving him more food but he’s not gaining any weight
Thanks
Hi Sharon,
I understand your concern for your Beagle. I am glad to hear that everything else seems to be normal other than his recent weight loss. This could be attributed to the loss of lean muscle mass commonly seen as dogs age, but out of an abundance of caution I highly recommend you have your pup evaluated by your vet. I would hate to think there could be something more serious contributing to this issue, but think it is worth investigating.
My 13-year-old Jack Russel mix is growing skinnier by the day. I would say it isn’t rapid, but he keeps getting skinnier. His ribs are beginning to become more visible and his hips, shoulders, and spine are very prominent. He has been drinking more water lately, which is unusual for him. However, he is eating 3 pretty good-sized meals a day but is still constantly hungry. He is always barking and whining for more food. He has been ripping open food bags, digging in our trashcans, and jumping onto tables to eat anything he can get to. This is very strange for he has never done anything like that. He also seems to be needing to go outside more often. He does have a history of pancreatitis, so we thought his weight loss was due to his diet, but it just keeps getting worse even with the huge amount of food he consumes daily. I’m afraid if I feed him too much he will get sick. His energy seems okay. He chases me around everywhere I go thinking that I will feed him. No hair loss. He got all of his teeth removed a few years ago due to dental issues. We’re trying to get him into the vet. Any thoughts?
Hi Brooke,
I understand your concern for your senior guy. I agree, this continued weight loss despite a ravenous appetite is worrisome. It sounds like your pup would greatly benefit from some lab work. I would want to start there and rule out some of the major endocrine disorders, especially thyroid issues. Hoping you can get your vet appointment scheduled soon and start working toward some answers. Best wishes and good luck!
my 4 yr old dog starts to lose weight 4 weeks ago but he’s eating normally but vomiting sometimes do exist..he’s full of energy..I started to see thicks because we have so many stray dogs in the area & they used to stay in our yard. do you think that this is the reason of the weight loss?
Hi Melody,
I am sorry your pup is losing weight and is having some vomiting issues. Unfortunately, there are just too many possibilities and without examining your dog myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. Tick borne disease can cause weight loss and GI issues, but so can many other things. Your best course of action is to have your boy evaluated by your vet. I am hopeful they will be able to give you some answers and find the best way to treat this problem. Best wishes and good luck!
my 9 yr old dog has suddenly started losing hair and weight at a rapid rate. her blood work and urinalysis are normal. checker and abdominal x-rays showed nothing, cortisol test was normal and and abdominal ultrasound also pinpointed nothing. my vet is at a total loss and just wants to start steroids. does that sound reasonable to you?
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry your dog is having these issues and despite your vet’s best efforts a cause has still not been found. I am afraid I am just as puzzled as your vet and do not know what the next best step would be. I understand why they want to try a course of steroids. If this is somehow immune mediated, there is a chance the steroids could be of great benefit. Hoping you will start to see some improvement soon and your senior guy will stabilize. Praying for a positive outcome.
My 11 year old greyhound is on second round of antibiotics for a UTI. She is eating, more than usual, also pooping more but losing weight. Giving pre and probiotics, no diarrhea but stools are softer than usual. What more can be done?
Hi Michal,
I understand your concern about your Greyhound losing weight. Since she is eating well, I would not think this was due to a lack of calories or nutrition. It makes me worry there is something else going on that hasn’t been diagnosed yet. Sometimes it can be hard to get a diagnosis early in a disease process before there are more symptoms to help pinpoint the issue. Is your vet aware of the weight loss? It may be time to pursue some additional testing. Hoping you can get the answers you need to ensure your senior girl stays healthy and happy for as long as possible.