A sudden appetite change is concerning for any pet, but can be particularly worrisome for an older dog. Unfortunately, answering “Why is my old dog not eating?” is not always straightforward. With a combined 30+ years of experience caring for senior dogs, veterinarians Dr. Erica Irish and Dr. Julie Buzby team up to share helpful, actionable tips along with underlying causes for decreased appetite in an older dog.
When a concerned pet parent asks me why his or her beloved old dog is not eating, I look into the greying dog’s eyes and ask myself, “What are you trying to tell us?” It’s one of those times when I wish my patients could speak! I recently wrestled this conundrum with a senior dog in my own (extended) family.
Meet Boss, a senior dog who wouldn’t eat
Boss, a lovable Pit Bull/Shar-Pei senior dog, was a happy member of my sister’s family. He enjoyed his meals and the occasional treat but was never a dog with a ravenous appetite. This made it more challenging to notice when his appetite gradually diminished. But it wasn’t until the day that he had a seizure—his first ever—that he lost interest in food altogether.
My sister brought this to my attention right away, and I gave her a few suggestions to compel her elderly dog to eat his breakfast. While I waited for my sister to bring him to see me at the clinic, my mind raced through all the underlying conditions related to this symptom.
What causes decreased appetite in old dogs?
Lack of appetite in dogs is not itself a diagnosis; it is a symptom. It gives us a clue that something else is going on that is making the dog feel unwell. Many other underlying medical conditions can contribute to appetite changes in senior dogs.
Generally, a dog with a decreased appetite has other symptoms as well. Putting the symptoms together can be like putting a puzzle together, helping us figure out what the actual health problems may be. Once we know what is causing the appetite loss we can treat it directly, rather than symptomatically.
Let’s dive into some of the underlying causes behind why a dear old dog won’t eat.
1. Gastrointestinal disease in dogs
As you might expect, a dog’s appetite can be affected by any issue with its GI tract. Often diseases affecting the GI tract cause other symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Pancreatitis in dogs is something that certainly impacts appetite. Dogs of any age may develop pancreatitis, but it’s more common in middle-aged to older dogs. Symptoms can vary, but vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite loss are associated with this condition.
Older dogs may also lose their appetite if they have something obstructing their GI tract. This may be a foreign body from eating something they shouldn’t have, or a cancerous tumor blocking food from moving through their intestines. Vomiting is a hallmark symptom of GI obstruction.
2. Pain in dogs
Let’s consider a dog who is bright and alert but is reluctant to eat or drink water. Pain and discomfort are possible factors when additional clinical signs are not obvious.
Arthritic pain
Arthritis in dogs is a very common health issue. If your senior dog is suffering from joint pain, then you might see him limping or walking with stiffness. Could it be difficult for him to get up from his bed and navigate to his food and water dishes?
Sometimes, especially in large breed dogs or other dogs with neck pain, arching their necks to reach bowls on the floor when they’re standing can be painful. You could try bringing his dishes bedside to see if this revives his interest in food. If this seems to solve the issue, then your veterinarian can help you develop a pain management plan to improve your dog’s mobility and willingness to move around your home.
Furthermore, sometimes food and water bowls are located on slippery surfaces that can make it difficult for an older dog to traverse or feel stable while eating. ToeGrips® dog nail grips can improve traction and confidence on slippery surfaces in your home.
Dental pain
In addition to the pain of arthritis, don’t discount dental disease and the subsequent oral pain as the reason a dog refuses to eat. Your dog’s appetite might be just fine, but if every bite hurts, he might learn to avoid the dishes altogether because he remembers that chewing caused pain. This is often the case for dogs that refuse to eat dry food but will eat soft food and treats.
A new canine patient of mine named Sister is the poster child for this PSA. Sister hadn’t been eating well on and off for months. However, since she was 18 years old (yes, you read her age correctly), her conscientious mom was trying to keep her dear old dog comfortable. She brought Sister to me for acupuncture and appetite stimulants to help improve her dog’s quality of life.
When I met them in the parking lot, I was taken aback. I knew Sister was 18, but she pranced down the sidewalk toward me like she was a youngster at Westminster! Her physical exam was unremarkable (very happy news for 18!), and her bloodwork looked great.
Sister’s only issue was severe dental disease—tartar build-up, chronic infection, and inflamed gums. Her owner described the classic symptoms: Sister drooled when she ate and would sometimes not eat much for a couple of days.
In light of her physical exam and lab results, I was convinced that oral pain caused by her dental disease was the most likely reason behind her disinterest in food. Fortunately, it’s a treatable one!
Her mom and I both teared up a little bit as I presented the option of seeing a specialist at a referral hospital for dental care under anesthesia, hopefully completely restoring Sister’s interest in food. Yes, there’s a risk to anesthesia for older dogs, but there’s also a high likelihood of life-changing success for Sister.
3. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Another possible contributing factor to why an old dog may eat less may be canine cognitive dysfunction in dogs (CCD), which is essentially doggie dementia.
CCD may or may not directly affect your dog’s appetite, but dogs with CCD who experience restlessness and anxiety may have very little appetite. If they are confused, then they may not remember where to find their food bowls.
Even though we typically associate “dietary indiscretion” with younger dogs who may still need some training, senior dogs with CCD may get confused and eat something they shouldn’t. Whether they get into the trash, eat something potentially toxic, or eat something that causes an obstruction in their GI tract, CCD can definitely lead to appetite loss.
4. Reaction to medications
Certain medications and supplements can cause vomiting due to an adverse reaction or irritation to the lining of the stomach. Antibiotics and pain medications—commonly prescribed to older dogs—can cause tummy upset as the number one side effect.
If you suspect that your dog is having a problem with his medication, ask your veterinarian right away for recommendations. He or she may advise you to skip a dose or stop the medication altogether, but it is important to ask first because simply stopping a treatment regimen may be detrimental to your dog.
5. Non-GI illnesses like kidney disease, cancer, or heart disease
As we know, senior dogs are susceptible to a variety of systemic illnesses as they age. Kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and even cancer can all cause decreased appetite. It is important to quickly identify the cause of your dog’s illness in order to prevent further complications and maintain an excellent quality of life for your senior dog through appropriate treatment.
excessive sleepiness is a cause for concern.
Decreased appetite due to heart or lung disease
Breathing is a higher priority than eating. If your dog has advanced heart or lung disease, his heart, and lungs must work harder to get oxygen to other internal organs, so the brain might tell the body to slow down in order to play catch-up. This slower metabolism may manifest in sleeping more and eating less.
If your dog has been diagnosed with heart or lung disease and he or she stops eating, definitely call your vet right away! Even without a prior diagnosis, decreased appetite, increased sleeping, and increased respiratory effort certainly warrant a vet visit.
What are the next steps?
Your veterinarian is the best person to help you figure out why your old dog won’t eat. After a thorough physical examination, your vet may recommend baseline blood and urine testing in order to make sure that your dog’s internal organs are functioning correctly.
Depending on what those initial tests show, and what your vet determines is the most likely cause of your dog’s appetite loss, you can discuss various treatment options.
If it seems as though arthritic pain is the culprit, you can consider how to relieve arthritis pain in dogs. This may involve medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, environmental modifications (like adding ToeGrips® for extra traction!), or other methods.
A professional dental cleaning (likely with extractions) may be necessary if dental disease is causing your dog’s appetite loss.
A dog that has stopped eating and is vomiting should have some abdominal imaging—X-rays, ultrasound, or both. In an older dog with these signs, we need to rule out causes like GI foreign bodies or cancer.
If your dog is having breathing problems, your vet may recommend chest X-rays to evaluate the heart and lungs.
If lab work is unremarkable, then your veterinarian may recommend further diagnostic testing to get to the bottom of the issue or conservative supportive care to maintain hydration, reduce nausea, and promote comfort.
What else can you do to help a dog who’s not eating?
As a conscientious pet parent, I know you worry when your dog is not eating. The daily tracking of food intake (and whether our dogs are peeing and pooping) are things that we subconsciously track in our pets. If our dogs are failing to eat, we feel like we are failing them as their caretakers.
As veterinarians, we recommend “tricks” to tempt a dog who isn’t eating to take a few bites. However, the emphasis must be on discovering the underlying cause of the loss of appetite, as discussed above.
If your grey-muzzled companion is having trouble eating dry dog food or simply isn’t interested, then offering high-quality wet food or soaking the dry kibble in some warm water can help encourage him to eat.
Some dogs may benefit from veterinarian-prescribed appetite stimulant medication
For a senior dog who needs a little help regaining an interest in food after an illness or due to declining health, your vet might prescribe an appetite stimulant medication. Mirtazapine, which is actually a human antidepressant, can work as an appetite stimulant in dogs and cats. Another option is a newer medication called Entyce.
Remember though, that getting your dog to eat doesn’t address the underlying cause of why he or she stopped eating in the first place.
Back to Boss’s story
As much as I wish that Boss’s story had a happy ending, life’s twists and turns don’t always go that way. After my sister brought him into the hospital, we noticed that some of the lymph nodes below his neck were enlarged.
Even though most of his blood and urine tests were normal, X-rays showed that his liver and spleen appeared enlarged. Boss’ lymph nodes were aspirated and this confirmed that he had lymphoma in dogs, a type of cancer. Sadly, it was already at an advanced stage, affecting his internal organs.
My sister was worried about the effect that chemotherapy might have on Boss’ heart, so we elected to give him prednisone, a steroid, to keep him comfortable.
Steroids like prednisone are powerful anti-inflammatories and can have the side effects of an increased appetite. As soon as we started the medication, Boss started eating again! We focused on his quality of life, making sure he was happy and loved in his final weeks.
What can we learn from our beloved Boss-man’s story? Boss had a very serious illness. By bringing him to be evaluated and tested as opposed to taking a “wait and see” approach, we were able to quickly figure out the cause and get Boss the care that he needed. He was happy and comfortable for the rest of the time we had with him.
Saying goodbye to our dog was very difficult, but we have fond memories and enjoyed spoiling him to the end.
Trust your intuition and team with your vet
You know your dog’s routine best. You know what is normal and not normal. You know when there is a change in his appetite. If you sense that something is amiss, please contact your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian will let you know if the signs you describe warrant an emergency visit or an appointment.
about changes in your senior dog’s eating habits.
Working closely with your veterinarian will bring you priceless peace of mind, and ensure the best plan to maintain your senior dog’s health and wellbeing.
Has your dear old dog’s appetite diminished?
Please comment below. We can all learn from each other.
Thanks for sharing this article:
We have an 18-year-old Bichon Maltese who can only see about 30% and is now deaf. He sleeps most of the time, and his back legs are weak. His dental hygiene is poor because we could never brush his teeth, and he never chewed on things. Now he hasn’t eaten for almost three days. He was still playing around until a week ago. I am certain that the pain from his teeth is the problem, as the smell is also really bad.
Should we get his teeth cleaned one last time under anesthesia? I am willing to take the risk, but my mother doesn’t want to. What should we do? It’s so sad that our little Bisou is in this state…;(
Hi Ingo,
I am sorry your senior guy is not doing well, and I understand why you are concerned. A dental cleaning may be very beneficial, but first you need to find out if your pup is a good candidate for anesthesia. I recommend you talk with your vet and see what sort of pre-operative testing they would want to have done. If the results show no other underlying issues that would make anesthesia too risky, then I would say to proceed with the dental. On the other hand, if the lab work reveals other problems that can’t be resolved, it may be better to say goodbye to your boy rather than allowing unnecessary suffering. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for your pup. Praying for comfort and a clear path forward.
PS Let’s call this part2 vet said pot belly and swayback might be signs of Cushing’s disease but I never had him tested for it.
For the 3-4 years we have watched this tumor, it was diagnosed as a lipoma/fatty tissue tumor. Even had a biopsy drawn and that’s what it is/was. But at his last checkup, the senior vet (who did the first diagnosis) said it now appears to be a cell wall tumor that has sent nasty tendrils of itself through Boomer’s abdomen and maybe spine.
I cannot seem to get Boomy comfortable. We don’t miss his meds but he KNOWS when it is time for them and walks around panting and acting very agitated. He also cannot sleep and can’t get his footing under him. This agitated panting and pacing and falling goes on all night to the point where I am walking just him 2-3 times during the night each night. He Finally falls asleep from sheer exhaustion or a belly full of worms and moths.
Hi, I have a 12 yr old shepherd mix that I rescued off the side of a busy rd when he was about 4 months old. His health was good for years but he developed a pot belly and a swayback as he got older. Then a tumor started growing on his hip. My vet said he could probably take it off but it would be risky for his health to do so. He thought it might be wrapping around into the inside of his hip. He recommended watching it. And so we have. Boomer now struggles to get up, especially on wood or tile floor and he has to turn his leg funny to support himself. He takes carprovet, gabapentin, and even CBD oil for pain. Lately he has stopped eating unless I make him a gourmet meal. Instead, when he goes outside he searches the ground for what I believe are worms, dead worms and moths hiding in the grass. Have you ever heard of such? At first I thought is was pica but he seems to be after protein.
Thanks
Jincey
Hi Jincey,
I am sorry your senior guy is struggling with this large tumor on his hip. It also sounds like he may be exhibiting some symptoms of dementia with this new nighttime anxiety he is having. I will attach links to other articles with more information and ideas for how to offer relief. Hoping you can find a way to keep him happy and comfortable for as long as possible. Wishing you all the best. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
2. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
3. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
4. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
Have a 13 yr old toy schnauzer. Been to vet off and on for couple of yrs with gastrointestinal issues. All blood work fine and no issues with X-rays ultra sounds etc. will eat happily for month or so and then turns nose up at usual food. On vet prescribed diet. Biome dry and wet. No issues with water or pooping. Give 1/2 biome and 1/2 hills gastrointestinal wet. Active , no vomiting What to feed and why just all of a sudden doesn’t want to eat?
Hi Sandra,
I understand your concern for your senior Schnauzer with his reluctance to eat on a regular basis. Unfortunately, without being personally involved in his medical care I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. I am just as puzzled as you as to what could be the cause of this behavior. It may be time to think about scheduling a consultation with an internal medicine specialist. They have tons of experience dealing with complicated cases and could offer ideas about testing or treatment that is not widely available in general practice. Hoping you can find the answers you need to ensure your sweet boy remains happy and healthy for years to come. Wishing you all the best.
My 15 year old Coton de Tulear’s appetite has decreased to about 1/2 and she has lately been uninterested even in treats.
I’ve been giving her a little cooked chicken breast because she will eat it and I feel sad that she’s not eating.
She just had a comprehensive exam and there were no issues with her health.
I hope this is just old lady behavior and it’s not nearing time for us to say goodbye. 🥺
Dear Meme,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and this recent change in her appetite. I know you mentioned that she just had an exam and received good results, but I do think this new issue needs to be discussed with your vet. Was lab work performed during the appointment? It is common to find abnormalities on lab work even when the physical exam seems normal. Things can change quickly with senior dogs and a decrease in appetite can be an early warning sign of something serious that needs to be addressed right away. Hoping you can get the answers you need to ensure your girl stays happy and healthy. Best wishes to you both!
We have an 11 1/5 year old mixed breed dog. He’s a big boy around 140 pounds. He was doing fine then about a week or so ago his appetite started falling. He’s always been a picky eater but refused to eat his regular food. He would eat a treat. After a couple of days I ran out and got him some wet dog food. He ate some for a day or two then refused more. I made him some chicken and rice and he ate it the a couple of times then stopped. I even offered him raw chicken, which he ate once or twice then refused. We’ve tried everything. He is a little stiff in the back legs but we know he has arthritis and have been giving him something for that. The last two days he’s refused everthing. Food and treats. He is drinking water and going outside to releive himself. He can walk on his own but as I wrote above he’s stiff and slow getting up. I don’t know what to do. We’ve tried everything. He wont even eat any pumpkin puree which he loves. His breathing is fine but all he does is lay down on his bed. Sometimes he seems kind of lost but it passes after a minute or two. Sometimes he seems to feel better and tries to get spunky. But most of the time, he’s just laying down. Even when he goes outside he goes out and lays down but will bark at people a little bit if they walk by. I just don’t know what to do.
Hi Mary,
I understand your concern for your big guy and think it is good you are reaching out for advice. With his reluctance to eat and the recent drop in his energy level, I am very worried something serious could be happening. These could be signs of a ruptured splenic tumor or even kidney or liver disease. I strongly recommend you contact your vet right away and get your boy into the clinic for an exam. Hoping you can get some answers quickly and find the best way to ensure your sweet boy remains happy and healthy. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
We are dealing with the same behavior. My little Jack Russell is nearly 17 and she does have an enlarged heart. She is on heart medication. She doesn’t want food but I’ll feed her anything if she’ll eat it. She did eat some meatloaf last evening. Not much but she seemed to enjoy it and she is having small BM’s. So that’s good. She does get us up throughout the night for pee breaks. My husband is pulling in the driveway now from a veterinarian appointment. We are hoping they have some kind of help to make sure she isn’t uncomfortable and maybe has some kind of quality of life left. Prayers are all we have.
Dear Grace,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior girl. Hoping you were able to get some answers and your vet had favorable news about your pup’s quality of life. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying for a positive outcome. Bless you all. ♥
One of my pups died 11/1/23. His sister, who had been super healthy, noticed his absence and stopped eating. She has lost over 10# and is dying before our eyes. The vet was little help. No noticeable underlying issues. Just a broken heart. If we can’t get her to eat soon, she will die. I’ve run out of ideas. She will eat no food and fights against broth in a syringe. But drinks water. This is so very hard.
Dear Wen,
I am so sorry for the loss of your boy. I can only imagine how hard it is to move forward in life without him. It breaks my heart that his sister is grieving his absence so severely. Is there any chance your vet would be willing to try a course of anxiety medication to see if it helps? Here is a link to another article with more information: Do Dogs Grieve? Helping Your Dog Cope With Loss
Praying you can find a way to offer her some relief and restore her quality of life. Wishing you both happier days ahead. ♥
My dog started to lose his appetite since the beginning of November. We brought him to the vet, found that his kidney readings of CREA and UREA are a bit higher than the range. Then we moved on the ultrasound and X-ray checking. The results of these checking are not so bad, then we lost the direction of the cause of losing appetite. After discussing with our vet, my dog has started on Ozone Therapy twice a week and give his Petina compound and digestive enzymes twice a day before meal time. Until now, we had the treatment for 6 times and my dog’s appetite still not back, especially for breakfast time. Can you give me some suggestion for what to do next?
Hi Carrie,
I understand your concern for your boy and his lack of appetite. Unfortunately, without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care, it is hard to make specific recommendations. Without knowing the cause, it will be hard to find the right treatment. I was not familiar with Petina compound and did some research to familiarize myself. It seems as though it is mostly a human vitamin supplement and helps with loss of appetite due to lack of appropriate nutrition/vitamin B levels. It could be worth trying a different appetite stimulant specifically made for dogs. Here is a link to another article with more information: How an Appetite Stimulant for Dogs Can Help Your Pup
Also, if your pup is dealing with nausea, there are medications that could help reduce these symptoms which could boost his appetite. I hope you can find the answers you need to ensure your sweet boy remains happy and healthy for years to come. Wishing you both the best of luck. Take care!
my dog she is not eating and only drinking water and sleeping as she was being sick but seems to have calmed down
Hi John,
I just responded to your other comment. I hope you will see it as well. What you are describing has me concerned for your dog’s health and well-being. Please reach out to your vet as soon as possible!
My son’s 10 year old large yellow lab was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and they recommended neutering him, which he did. he had lost about 20 lbs prior to this procedure and had started not eating his dog food. My son started feeding him boiled chicken and sweet potatoes, browned hamburger and turkey lunch meat as that was all his dog would eat. he will eat dog food if wrapped in the turkey, but not large amounts. he has been taking testosterone reducing pills, pain pills and antibiotics. he was also given an appetite stimulant that didn’t seem to work. he has since lost another 4 lbs in 2 weeks. his blood work is clean and kidney functions are normal. he has a cyst on his prostate which was drained prior to the neutering and has been drained once since the neutering. he is now taking entyce to help his appetite and it seems to help some. He is drinking large amounts of water at a time, which we think are from the Entyce stimulant. He last night had urinary leakage on the bed and on the floor while he was sleeping. he vomited yesterday morning in the vehicle, which he never does. He seemed fine other than the weight loss up to an incidence of diarrhea about 2 weeks prior to the neutering. Since then has just progressively lost weight, and appetite gotten worse. He was eating okay until then. looking for some answers or suggestions.
Hi Penny,
I am so sorry your son’s dog is struggling and his health seems to be declining rapidly. Without playing a personal role in his medical care it is hard to make specific conclusions or recommendations. While an enlarged prostate is a fairly common issue in older male dogs, I am a bit suspicious that this may have been prostate cancer instead. Do you know if the vet was able to rule out this as a possibility? I wasn’t sure if any samples were sent off for pathological review. With how poorly your son’s pup is doing since the diagnosis it puts cancer much higher on my rule out list. It might be time to schedule a consultation with a specialist. I hope you all can get the answers needed to make the best decisions for your senior pup. Praying for a positive outcome.
Hello..I have a 12yr old Min Pin mix and he developed seasonal allergies about 2 years ago. I thought maybe it was a weed growing in the yard so I had my entire yard re sown with new grass which didn’t help. He licks his paws till they are rawl and hairless and digs in his ears till they are bloody. He is not eating well either so i mostly hand feed him and he will sometimes take it. I wipe his paws off every time he goes out and put doggy socks on him which he hates and manages to get them off in seconds. Benadryl seems to help the most but then he sleeps alot. He has been to vet multiple times and I’m told it just allergies and offered steroids shots which I’ve done a couple times. I don’t want to do steroids all the time bc of his age and it’s not good for his kidneys or liver.. He had his teeth cleaned couple months ago and had senior blood work done and everything was good..So now he wears a cone all the time,I feel like I’m being cruel to him. I will do anything to help my boy! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..Thank You!!
Hi Emily,
I am so sorry your senior boy is suffering from these severe allergy symptoms. I highly recommend you ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary dermatologist. They will be able to help narrow down what your pup is allergic to and offer options for treatment. Here is a link to another article with more information: Allergy Medicine for Dogs: 9 Solutions to Calm Your Dog’s Itch
Your boy is very lucky to have you advocating for his health and well-being. Wishing you the best of luck at finding some relief for your pup.
Our 15 year old Staffie/Boxer cross Oz, (a rescue, we’ve only had him 18 months) started to go off food a couple of months back. He has been to the vets several times, bloods are unremarkable, nothing found on physical examination (he had most of his teeth out last year and vet feels there’s no problem with the remaining ones).. He won’t eat dry food, has had a phase of eating sausages/chicken breast/scrambled eggs/ tuna/rice etc (anything to get him to eat! When he went off those he went back to vet and he’s on Pardale (codeine + paracetamol) in case there is a pain element and vet said try puppy food…..but everything we try works for a few days then he goes off it! We rotate different varieties of puppy food etc.. He’s currently on 5 days of Mirtazapine which I think makes a bit of difference but not enough. This morning he’s eaten an egg, and some cheese. but refused all dog food (oh, he’s been offered wet cat food too). His weight has dropped from 24kg to 21.5kg in a few months. He drinks as normal, pees as normal and his poops are small and softish but equate to the amount he eats. I hold the bowl when he eats in case his neck is sore (but he drinks just fine). We’re stumped….while he’s happy in himself we’re continuing but we’ve run out of ideas (so has the vet).
Hi Caryn,
What a difficult situation. It sounds like your vet has done a good job of trying to get to the bottom of why he isn’t eating, and I commend you for your dedication in trying so many different foods and tactics to get him to eat. It definitely sounds like something is making him feel a bit “off” and not want to eat, but the question remains of what it could be. If you want to keep searching for answers, you could consider taking him to a veterinary internal medicine specialist. Sometimes they have ideas and access to tests that your regular vet may not have. Alternatively, it is also reasonable keep on doing what you are doing—attempting to tempt him to eat with various foods and keeping an eye on his quality of life.
Hopefully the way forward becomes clear to you, whatever that may be.
Hello. My 15 year old chihuahua has congestive heart failure and I’ve noticed the last week or so she will eat her treats, drink water but I haven’t noticed any food missing from her bowl. She gets vital fresh food and it’s chopped small because her brother has no teeth and I fix their food together. She is only 3lbs. I’ve also noticed her breathing has been much more labored in the last couple weeks. She will walk, but it will usually exhaust her and she will just plop down where she stoped. I’m worried that we are getting close to time, and we are also doing a week long camping trip here in 5 days. What can/should I do? She honestly hasn’t been to a vet in a very long time as she didn’t really leave the house and has been healthy otherwise.
Thanks,
Worried Momma
Hi Misty,
I understand why you are worried about your chihuahua, and I agree that her symptoms are concerning. Not eating well, becoming tired easily, and labored breathing can all be signs that her congestive heart failure is worsening. I know that you will have already made a decision about what to do by now, but should you find yourself in a similar situation in the future, my advice would be to go ahead and make an appointment with your vet to get a better idea of your dog’s status and the next best steps. I hope that you were able to find clarity about how to proceed and peace with whatever decision you made. ❤️
My 15 year old chihuahua is blind. She has never been a big eater, but lately she eats very, very little – less than a tablespoon. We try everything, but nothing seems to interest her. She sleeps most of the day, and although we try to get her to walk around the park, she doesn’t have much activity, so her calorie needs are probably very low. She doesn’t appear to be suffering from pain of any kind. Despite her small input she still has a daily bowel movement. Unfortunately, because of her lack of sight she cannot graze, so we offer her food throughout the day, but if she’s not interested when it’s offered, she goes without. She’s adorable, and the only challenge she presents is our frustration when she won’t eat.
Hi Laurie,
I can understand why you are concerned about how little your chihuahua is eating. Less than a tablespoon doesn’t seem like much, even for a small and inactive dog. If she hasn’t had a recent wellness exam and senior bloodwork, it might be worth making an appointment with the vet to rule out dental disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or other conditions as the cause of her increased pickiness. I hope that you are able to find some answers for her and get her back to her usual level of eating. Best of luck to you and her.
Mine is actually eating but not enough. Any food you give him, he will eat just small and leave the rest. Any guide will be appreciated.
Hi Benedict,
I understand your concern with your dog’s lack of appetite. I highly recommend you discuss this with your vet. They will need to examine your pup and probably recommend some testing to find the cause. Without a diagnosis, it is hard to make treatment recommendations.
Here goes nothing….
I find myself looking for reassurance constantly. My girl is 18, as of December 2024.
She was diagnosed with a heart murmur on Valentine’s day 2024. She went out for a morning pee and passed out.
She was prescribed vetmedin.
These last few months have been challenging. Ive been a helicopter dog mom, even have neighbors checking in while I work. The last thing I want is to FIND her. Accidents are common, even with three people checking on her all throughout a given day. She goes out and almost forgets why….then sits down – very slowly. Vomiting occurs more frequently – eating little or too much – was my thought. Sleeps a lot but there are times she wont rest and paces for hours. Those moments are when I believe a seizure occurred recently and she recovered on her own.
She also damn near seizures with certain lighting and this is OFTEN. Sunny or overcast, doesnt matter.
She has cataracts, dimentia, heart murmur, arthritis or weakness in the legs, too.
Listen, this all sounds bad but this girl will RUN for food, or at least a week ago she did.
The last couple of weeks have been constant food adjustments- any change only lasts a couple of days and then I have to try something else.
Today, she just wont eat.
She has been with me for 17 years!!! She is a trooper and I love her for it.
Please tell me Im doing the right thing.
She is not much of a communicator – doesnt bark EVER. Not sure shed tell me she is hurting vocally.
I love her and I damn sure know she loves me back – that is very clear with her hanging in there. It has been just US for so long.
HOW WILL I KNOW? I dont want her to suffer but I dont want to let her go either.
Thanks for listening.
Dear Dammer,
I understand your concern for your girl and think she is very lucky to have you taking such good care of her. Many of the symptoms you describe sound consistent with dementia/canine cognitive dysfunction. While there are many different treatments and supplements that can help slow the progression and minimize the effects, at some point the body will no longer respond to treatment and the dementia will progress to end stage. Without playing a personal role in your dog’s care, it is hard to truly evaluate her quality of life. I do think it is better to say goodbye one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers as well. I am hopeful you will find a way to give your girl relief and offer peace to you both. Praying for comfort and a clear path forward. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Signs of a Dog Dying of Heart Failure
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Hello Dr. Buzby,
My 16.5 -year-old mini schnauzer/poodle mix, Reese, has all the signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). We have been to the vet and they agree. Her condition has been progressively worsening for the past year and a half. She was still eating without issue until the past two months. She began circling excessively at meal time and would take a little food in between circling with constant encouragement to come back to the bowl. Her vision and hearing are impaired now but she can see the bowl. For the past week, she has only been eating half the amount she had been eating per day. It has become extremely challenging and takes about 30-40 minutes to feed her. If I do not help her, she will not eat. I have tried different foods with no success. I thought it could be a dental issue, but she still has moments two times per day where she likes to play with her small tennis ball and does not seem to have an issue biting/chewing the ball so I believe the CCD is more likely the problem. Should I continue basically forcing her to eat or use a stimulant if this is CCD? Any other advice to help stop the circling at meal time and getting her focused?
Hi April,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with these severe cognitive issues. I agree this does sound like CCD or some type of brain lesion. While treatment is not always successful, there are many options of supplements and medications that have the potential to lessen the severity of symptoms. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great ideas to discuss with your vet. You are doing a great job. Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work!
1. Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
2. Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
3. MCT Oil for Dogs Can Help Dogs with Dementia or Epilepsy
4. Trazodone for Dogs: Uses and Side Effects
Our 14 year old small dog has lost interest in eating to the point that he won’t even try his favourite mince and other raw meat at meal time. We cannot leave his food lying around for him to graze on because we have an adorable 8 year old toy poodle who will inhale what’s there in a heartbeat.
For the past couple of days, I’ve managed to get him to eat Vitapet chicken milky sticks. These are recommended to not exceed 10% of a small dog’s diet however, at least they are a form of nutrition.
Any suggestions?
Hi Neree,
I understand your concern with your senior dog’s lack of appetite. My worry is that this could be a sign of something serious developing. I highly recommend you have your pup examined by your vet. They may need to do some testing to rule out some of the many possibilities. If he is medically healthy and his testing is normal, your vet may prescribe an appetite stimulant. Probiotics are also great for this issue. I hope you can get some answers quickly and find the best way to encourage your sweet boy to eat. Praying for a positive outcome.
My beagle terrier Chelsea 12, all of a sudden just quit eating or drinking and showing interest in anything. For the last few months she has changed everything having to do with her routine, to just laying on the bathroom floor. I would feed her different snacks before and never really could make my mind up on a regimen food for her. In the past she was eating a vet recommended GI dog food, only for the time specifications of the product. I really don’t feel Chelsea’s time is approaching, however the not knowing is troublesome.
Thank you.
Tom Hardy
St. Louis, Mo.
Hi Tom,
I agree, the behavior changes you have noticed in your dog are concerning. These could be symptoms of something serious that needs to be addressed right away. I highly recommend you have Chelsea evaluated by your vet. Once you get a diagnosis, you can partner with your vet to start a treatment plan. I am hopeful you can find a way to restore your sweet girl’s quality of life. Praying for a positive outcome.
One of our two Great Danes which we took in at about 1 year old after he’d been stuck in a garage after not being sold by his original breeder I understand a deposit had been placed and the purchasers never returned. They apparently then could sale him. He got out of said garage and was hit by a car. When he came to us he was in terrible shape. I worked with him and the vet and he over about two months healed very well and became as active and as healthy as any other dog. Probably more so than our female that never had any negatives in her life as far as I know. He is now about 9 years old. Two years ago a tumor began growing on his leg and the vet we had at the time refused to do anything with it stating it’s not bothering him so we’re best to wait until it is. Many times I asked and got the same answer as it grew to be golf ball sized currently, I was away for training and I’m told he made a loud storm siren sound while outside. He was brought indoors and appeared dirty. He was given a quick shower. Neither of my dogs ever seem to like being dirty so that sounded off but once in awhile things do happen. He seemed fine though when I was told of this which was about two days later. Then about one week later he was moving quickly down the hall with his sister because my spouse had made it home from work. He fell and then let out this same storm siren sound I’d heard he made a week prior.. My female went to check on him and I called her away so I could get up to him without her in the way. I was fearing the absolute worst as he appeared confused. Within minutes he got up and moved more slowly but was up and appearing like he just wanted to be cuddled and reassured. So I’m telling him you have to slow down, you’re not as young as you once were. Then he begins to stop eating and appears to lose weight while he also appears bloated in his abdomen. I got him into the only vet that would see him around the 4th of July. It was determined he has congestive heart failure and his heart is basically beating at least two different sections at different times instead of together. His heart appeared to be beating 200 pulses per minute to the vet. He sent him home with meds and stated he wasn’t eating because of the fluid built up due to his heart problem. I’m angry because a part of me feels as if the previous vet may have known of his heart problem and never told us since when the tumor on his leg was so small they didn’t want to remove it. Going forward we went through ten terrible days of him not eating. The vet said this was normal and the meds needed ten days to work. On day 11 when I had called him twice believing our Duke was giving up he decided to eat. He moved around much quicker.. Within two weeks he appeared to be bloated with fluid again. The vet said this could be normal and didn’t want to increase his fluid meds. He actually lowered his heart meds by one pill every 12 hours. Duke doesn’t appear to have any interest in dog food now. He will eat a milk bone after going out on his better days. He has been fed beef cut down from a beef roast and rice and we attempt to mix in dog food with it. Generally he will pick around the dog food. We are somewhat at a loss and know he doesn’t have much longer left based on what we’ve been told. The vet we currently see and the one who took us in during the holiday appears to have been great to us and has known his stuff. I just don’t want my dog to feel hungry or to feel bad or be in any pain. Sorry to write a book, but it’s been a very long road. Just wondering if anyone has any better ideas or foods that dogs cannot resist. Currently we are cooking no less than two meals a day for him and I’m not even sure they’re what’s best for him at this time.
Hi Matt,
I’m so sorry to hear about Duke’s recent congestive heart failure diagnosis and lack of interest in eating. It sounds like you have had a difficult and stressful month with lots of ups and downs. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for dogs with heart disease to stop eating, either because they don’t feel good or because they are having trouble breathing. Continuing to work with your new vet (or working with a veterinary cardiologist) to optimize his heart failure management could be helpful. Plus, you may have some luck with appetite stimulants medications, warming the food up, or trying baby food (or other smelly and highly palatable foods). Getting him to eat something is more important than exactly what he eats at this point, so anything that is safe for dogs is fair game (chicken, turkey, venison, beef, salmon, cheese, etc).
However, as you alluded to, it is also important to take his quality of life into consideration. If he doesn’t start eating and feeling better, this may indicate that his quality of life is declining to a point where you may need to make some tough decisions. I’ll include a link to our article about quality of life assessments in case that would be helpful. Thinking of you in this difficult time.
Here is the link: Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
Spike’s a 15 yr. old mini poodle who sees his vet often and has been very active & healthy. We recently lost our 16 yr. old fur pet 12 weeks ago and we took it hard. Since then, Spike has been depressed and is very picky at both feedings daily. I’ve tried several dozen canned food, 2 fresh, bone broth, meal toppers. chicken broths. gravy foods and even dry which he eats very seldom. He even sometimes refuses treats! He will eat baked chicken most of the time and now meatballs, but is not getting vitamins and minerals, etc. He started eating his dental stix, finally. I can tell he’s grieving for Daisy and his daddy passed away 2 years ago. Dr. Busby, any suggestions? I do talk to his vet, but wonder if you can think of something. Thank you!
Dear Karen,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of Daisy and I am sorry this loss has affected Spike in such a big way. Without examining your boy, myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. I don’t doubt he is grieving but I also wouldn’t want to assume his lack of interest in food is all due to depression. It might be a good idea to have him evaluated by your vet just to make sure there isn’t something more serious happening. I would hate to think this could be the beginning of kidney failure or something similar and it is going undiagnosed due to the coincidental timing of it all. If medical causes can be ruled out, then you can focus on behavioral/emotional issues. I do frequently see where dogs skip a meal so owners will add a new food or topping to encourage them to eat. Once this starts it forms a cycle. The dog knows if they refuse their food long enough, the owner will add something extra tasty to the food. They can be good at training us to do what they like 😉 I am not saying this is what is happening with Spike, but I just want you to be aware so you can assess the situation and make appropriate changes if needed. You can also talk to your vet about the use of an appetite stimulant or probiotic to help encourage Spike to eat. Hoping you can find the best way to keep your sweet boy happy and healthy. Bless you both.
My 6yr old shih Tuz yorkie mix has started to refuse to eat for the last couple weeks after my roommates went away on vacation. I thought it could’ve been seperation anxiety but they returned and she still acting the same. During these last few weeks I’ve taken her to the vet 3 times and ER vet. Vet say while she does have some plaque build up her teeth look pretty normal. Lab work, urine test and ultrasound all show normal signs. Gas in stomach. This feels so confusing as she’s not her normal self and refusing to eat..
Hi Kels,
I am sorry your little pup is having issues with decreased appetite. I understand your concern despite all the good test results you have received. Since I have not personally examined your dog, I can’t make specific conclusions. In situations like this with my own patients, I often will try anti-nausea medication just to rule out the possibility of an upset stomach. I also like to use appetite stimulants and probiotics. These are things you could discuss with your vet and see if they might be good options. I hope you can find the answers you need to help get your sweet girl eating well again. Wishing you both the best of luck.
My 16 year old fur baby had lost her appetite, we have been to the Vet and had ultrasounds, she is a 15 pound long hair chawawia , Test shows Kidney failure, Doc said she is dehydrated so she continues to get fluids and gets a shoot for nausea but it only lasts 24 hours, wr have decided to stop putting her through this because she gets very stressed and at her age, we just want her comfortable. She is taking Entyce but won’t eat, she licks around her foods and I’ve tryed allot of variety. She still drinks water and happy when I come home. I wish I could find something she wants to eat besides yogurt covered pretzels which I dropped and she ate. I’m so confused as to how to help her, I can’t stand seeing her not eating although I know it’s just a matter of time. Someone recommended CBD oil, just not sure. We love her and only want her happy and comfortable
Dear Zorna,
I am sorry your senior girl’s health is declining and she is refusing to eat. I am not sure there is much to be done at this point. It sounds like you have tried all the usual options to improve her appetite. Unfortunately, this is part of the disease progression of kidney failure. Without examining your dog, myself, I cannot speak for her current quality of life. There may come a time where saying goodbye may be the most loving option and the only way to give your sweet girl peace from her struggles. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choices for you and your girl. Praying for your comfort and strength as you face these difficult times ahead.
1. Kidney Failure in Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide
2. Dog Kidney Failure: When to Euthanize Your Dear Dog
3. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Hi,
10 yr old toy poodle has been throwing up and not eating. Vet checked him out and all blood tests were normal. Teeth normal. We can’t figure this out. He’ll still drink water but wants nothing to do with food. We’re getting him an ultrasound this week. He exhibits no signs of pain or discomfort either. Vet didn’t want a stool sample (weird). Could it be a parasite?Would that show up on blood test? We’re going to have to start force feeding him with a syringe I think. My biggest worry is that he has stomach cancer.
Hi Anthony,
I am sorry your little guy is having so many issues with nausea and vomiting. I am glad his lab results looked good, and his teeth are not a problem. I think an ultrasound would be a great next step in trying to get a diagnosis. While it is possible a parasite could cause vomiting, the more common symptom would be diarrhea. How are things today? Do you have any new results? Hoping your senior pup is feeling better and all is well. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My senior pup is a Yorkie almost 11 yrs old has diabetes and is on insulin , he also has arthritis in his back legs and hips and especially where he had TPLO surgery about 5 yrs ago and is on Novox
He was diagnosed with a UTI and I have given him 9 days of the antibiotics but he is now too week to get up by himself and walk and is breathing very heavy he has also stopped eating although his sugars are within his normal range and he isn’t vomiting he hasn’t gone number 2 in the last 2-3 days I have been offering him his favorite foods which he refuses I and I have resorted to syringe feeding him foods and fluids so he doesn’t become dehydrated and I have been giving him the Entyce for 3 days and that isn’t working either
I am wondering if this last UTI has been too hard on his little body he was 20lbs back in April but is down to 14 1/2 lbs I am wondering if it is time to send him over the rainbow bridge I don’t want him suffering but he is such an integral part of our family I am just not sure what to do any advice would be most appreciated
Dear Kathy,
I am so sorry your little guy’s health has suddenly started to decline. Without examining him myself, it is hard to know if this is the right time to say goodbye. From what you describe, letting go may be the most loving option and the only way to give him peace and rest. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Generally, I think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Don’t hesitate to discuss these concerns with your vet and get their opinion about your pup’s quality of life. Praying for comfort and clarity.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
My 16 year old shih tzu/Yorkie mix is stressing me out with his eating. He is very subject to diarrhea and I was feeding him Hills prescription low fat id mixed with Hills biome.
He refuses to eat the biome by itself but I need to get some into him because it really firm’s up his stool. Now he doesn’t want to eat that combination. I got him Blue buffalo senior chicken with vegetables and mixed the biome with it and for two days he gobbled it up. Now on the third day, he doesn’t want it. Bringing him to the vet this week. Seems like he still has his appetite but has become super finicky.
I’ve tried adding warm water, microwaving to warm it up, dry versions of the Hills food with no luck. If I give him a bit of table food, he inhales it, but I can’t give him much or the diarrhea will start. He still acts normally, still drinking water, he has slowed down on our walks. Right now he’s staring at me, as if to ask for food. This is so frustrating, I don’t know what to do.
Hi Steven,
I understand your concern with your senior pup’s decreased appetite. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to try and figure out the right combination of foods to keep him well-nourished and prevent diarrhea. Were you able to get him to the vet? I am curious to know what you found out. You may have to try a different brand of GI low fat food with a probiotic to see if you can get the same results. I have used Purina’s brand of probiotic, FortiFlora, with great success. Also, pumpkin works well for adding fiber to the diet and helping to bulk up the feces to resolve diarrhea. I am not sure how pumpkin would affect your dog’s current GI issues, but it might be something to discuss with your vet. I hope you can find the right treatment to help your little guy continue living his best life. Best wishes and good luck!
Hi I have a 14 year old bordercollie. She hasn’t touched her dog food in 3 weeks. However I’ve been giving her food off my plate and some eggs everyday.
She has a tooth rotting at the back. So I think maybe its to painful to chew. It rained this morning and her food i spilled by accident in the yard got damp. I noticed she finally ate her dog food.
How much water should I mix with her food. Cold or warm? Is this a thing people do for older dogs? Thanks for the article its helpful and informative.
John
Hi John,
It definitely sounds like your senior girl is suffering with dental pain. It is fine to add some water to soften the kibble which will make it easier for her to eat, but this is just a temporary fix. Dental disease is extremely painful and can actually affect internal organs and shorten your dog’s life. I highly recommend you have her teeth examined by your vet. They can evaluate the severity of this issue and decide if a dental cleaning or extractions are needed. As for the water in her food, warm water will soften it faster and you want to use just enough to wet the food but not have it floating or turned into a “soup”. I hope you can find the right way to help your sweet girl. Best wishes!
hi there… we have an ole schnauzer… she will be 20 in March this year… she seemed to be having some joint pain….when she was moving …so I called the vet.. they didn’t want me to bring her in cause of Covid so we had a telephone consult and the vet prescribed some Antinol…. well with in a week of taking it I called the vet back and ask if this could wreck her apatite and why is she soo sleepy now…. they assured me it was not the meds …..but when I googled this medication, it said it can cause these symptoms……so we took her off of it and she h is back moving around again seemingly with no pain as she is not whining at all but she seems to of lost her apatite….I have been trying all kinds of different foods, wet foods, dry foods, and yesterday I cooked up some beef with a bit of rice and carrots and peas…..and she ate it pretty good…but today…not so much I have looked in her mouth at the 6 teeth she has left and they seem fine…any ideas???
Hi Hilda,
I understand your concern with your senior girl and her lack of appetite. I am sorry you were not able to take her to the vet clinic for an in-person exam. Since I haven’t examined your girl myself, I can’t make specific recommendations or conclusions about the cause of her issues. I was not familiar with Antinol, but did some research on this supplement. It seems to be a combination of several different fatty acids in an oil form (much like fish oil) that ideally would help with inflammation and joint pain. This product should not cause sedation. I am very concerned that there is something more serious going on that is unrelated to the Antinol. I highly recommend you contact your vet and update them on your dog’s current symptoms and see if they can get her in for an exam. They may need to do some testing and lab work to rule out more serious issues. Your girl may need a stronger pain medication or an appetite stimulant. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for to give your dog the best quality of life. I wish you both the best.
I have a 15 yr old schnauzer and she’s on entice! Works great. You should at least try it
I have a 13 year old Beagle mix who lost interest in eating last week. After several days of giving her anything she would eat (peanut butter, canned dog food, canned cat food), she stopped eating all together. Our vet recommended she get an ultrasound at an animal hospital since she has liver disease and her numbers have increased significantly since her last physical 3 months ago. The ultrasound confirmed that nothing else was wrong with her except her liver which shows a red area. Since they were not sure what was causing that red area, they sent us home with a bunch of different meds to treat several different ailments. The thought was that there are a couple of causes that were treatable, to a point. She stayed overnight and was given all the meds and nourishment via injections. She has been home now for 5 days and only ate 2 cookies on her own the day after she got home. Other than that, she has not eaten a thing on her own. She is on 7 medications (a couple for nausea, antacid, prednisone, Amox, Entyce, and Denamarin). I have to force her jaws open and pop in these pills and then massage her throat to get her to swallow. Then for nourishment, I use a small syringe to give her several squirts of chicken broth. I also put a couple of plops of soft food on her tongue and get her to swallow. I keep hoping she will start eating ANYTHING on her own but she will not and she is getting pretty weak. She still drinks fine and asks to go outside and basically follows me around the house like she use to….just everything is much slower. We just don’t know if we are prolonging the inevitable but our problem is that, aside from not eating, she does not seem to be suffering. I mention going for a walk, and her ears perk right up (we even took a very slow and short walk yesterday). Our vet keeps saying we should keep her comfortable. I am wondering if that is your advise, too, or if you have any other suggestions?
Dear Lorna,
I am sorry your Beagle hasn’t been eating despite all the medications. Unfortunately, it does sound like the end is near for your sweet girl. Most dogs will not cry out in pain or show the amount of discomfort they feel even if they are truly suffering. I am going to link some other articles below that may be of some help. I think it would be a good idea to reach out to a hospice vet in your area that could offer palliative care. My heart breaks for you and your family. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
1. Signs Your Dog is Dying: A Caring Message to Bring You Peace
2. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
My dog, Abby, is 15 years old. She is a small dog….she weighed 17lbs in September and lost 2 pounds in the course of 5 weeks. The vet did X-rays and ultrasound…a little hazy area in lungs but nothing definitive. Nothing strange in her blood work…liver enzymes up but not super high. Last week they removed a badly infected tooth…she ate some food the first day or two she was home but has eaten nothing in the last 5-6 days. She is on Entyce. She is sleeping a lot but will walk around. We don’t want her to suffer…but want to fix it if there is something we can do. Any suggestions? Thank you
Dear Linda,
You are right to be concerned about Abby. It concerns me that she has not eaten anything in so many days as this could be an emergency situation. Please contact your vet and give them an update on her condition. Since I have not examined Abby myself, I can’t make any specific recommendations. You may find it helpful to consult an internal medicine specialist in your area. I hope you have found a way to make your sweet girl comfortable and get her appetite back. My thoughts are with you as you find a way forward.
My 14 year old chihuahua has always been lean and a very picky eater. Now she’s rejecting everything I offer her now. She’ll come when called to eat, but sniffs and does not eat. She’ll eat a bit of fruit, but only a bit. Tried everything, no luck. Suggestions?
Dear Laurie,
Sorry to hear your dog is no longer eating. It sounds like you have done a great job providing many options to try and get her to eat. I would recommend you contact your local veterinarian or animal ER so that she can be seen by a veterinarian. Not eating well can be a sign of many different issues and it would be good for her to have a comprehensive examination and any necessary testing to get to the bottom of her loss of appetite. We wish you both all the best and hope you can find some answers for your sweet girl soon.
My dog, Buddy, is a 9 year old Aussie Shepherd. Within the past month he had a dental appointment. They said his teeth were better than expected- no extractions. I feed him twice a day. Tonight, he wouldn’t eat. Is it possible dogs are emotional? I wasn’t able to pay attention to him today. He’s very needy. He seems to whine under his breath. If I keep my hand on him while I watch tv, he’s content. Also, he’s been biting at his dish when I feed him and nudges it with his nose. Why is this? His dish is on a raised platform.
Hi Michelle,
I’m sorry to hear Buddy is feeling a bit off today. I am concerned that the signs he is showing – whining, biting at his dish, and not eating this evening- seem to go beyond him just being upset that he didn’t get as much attention today as he would have liked. If this behavior continues, I would recommend making an appointment with his veterinarian so they can evaluate him further. Without being able to examine him, I can’t tell you what exactly is going on, but I do think this bears further investigation as he could be experiencing GI pain or other distressing symptoms. I hope you are able to get to the bottom of this and he feels better soon! ❤
My older dog (12 years old) isn’t acting like himself. He’s usually always begging and in the kitchen when I’m cooking. He’s not interested in food and is more lethargic. He’s also peeing more than normal. I have an appointment at his vet’s but it’s not for a few weeks. I’m worried it’s not soon enough but wanted some advice before going to an emergency vet. I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg if I’m just being a worry wort lol. What do you think?
Hi Laura, I’m sorry to hear your older dog isn’t feeling well. I firmly believe that owners know their dogs well, so if you think something is off with him, I would definitely follow your gut. It doesn’t sound like you are just being a worrywart because all the signs you mentioned – being lethargic, peeing more, and not being interested in food – are concerning. I would recommend going to an emergency veterinarian rather than waiting a few weeks to be seen by your regular veterinarian.
I have an 8 yr old chocolate lab. She shows little, if any interest in eating and has been laying down and resting for almost a week now…?
She drinks little water and still urinating but this came on sudden…
Can you help?
(Can not afford crazy vet bills)
Hello Carrie, unfortunately what you describe/ask is beyond the scope of help I could provide in a blog comment. I believe with all my heart your dog needs a physical examination by a veterinarian asap. Though I cannot guarantee you’ll get a diagnosis on that first step, I think you’ll get some good information and it should be less than $100. From there your vet can provide recommendations and options.❤️
Dog is limping and can’t hardly walk, she is like 14 she won’t eat anything I tried everything?
Hello Roy, I would consider both of these issues—limping and not eating— important symptoms requiring an urgent call to your veterinarian and, likely, and office/visit and examination. I hope you are able to get your dog the care she needs asap. Thank you!
we have a 11 ur old whippet/cattle dog mix. he’s 44ibs and has stopped eating, lost 4olb in month.. The Vet took blood and thepancreas, liver, kidneys are fine. Heart’s fine too. Gums are pink, teeth are okay, no temperature, just won’t eat.
I make his food, roast pork (chicken, beef and fish make him vomit), pearl barley, beans or zucchini, apple. Vet suggested we puree and feed him with the large syringe he kindly gave us to ward off dehydration. Syringe feeding is not fun.
This morning he ate a scrambled egg and later on some elk meat we tried, but only from our hands. When I show him his bowl he runs to other room. We are totally puzzled.
Hi Kathy,
I am sorry your senior boy is not eating well and has lost his appetite. It sounds like you are trying everything you can to get some nutrition into him regularly. It may be time to think about scheduling a consultation with a specialist to get some answers and hopefully a diagnosis. Also, if things continue to decline, you may be facing making difficult decisions about your dog’s quality of life. Hospice and palliative care can be great options. Hoping you can find the advice you need to make the best choices for you and your sweet boy. Bless you both.