Why is my dog not eating?
Quick answer
A single skipped meal in an otherwise bright, playful dog is usually not urgent. Refusing food for more than about 24 hours, or any refusal combined with vomiting, lethargy or pain, warrants a call to your vet.
Dogs skip meals for reasons ranging from trivial to serious, and the useful question is not only whether they are eating but how they seem otherwise.
Often harmless
Hot weather, a recent change of food, a new bowl or feeding spot, mild stress from travel or visitors, or simply having been given too many treats earlier in the day. Some dogs also become briefly fussy after a course of medication.
Worth attention
Dental pain is one of the most commonly missed causes. A dog with a painful tooth may approach the bowl eagerly, then back away, drop food, chew on one side, or prefer soft food suddenly. Nausea can look similar, as can a sore throat or an upset stomach.
Potentially serious
Loss of appetite is a general sign of feeling unwell and accompanies a very wide range of conditions. That is exactly why it should not be dismissed when it persists or comes with other symptoms.
What to watch alongside appetite
This is more informative than appetite alone. Is your dog still bright, interested in walks, greeting you normally? Are they drinking? Any vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, or straining? Is the belly tense or painful when touched? Are the gums a healthy pink rather than pale or tacky?
Do not try to force feeding, and be cautious about tempting a reluctant dog with rich human food, which can cause its own problems. Puppies, very small breeds, and dogs with diabetes cannot safely go without food for long, so the threshold for calling a vet is much lower for them.
When to call a vet
Contact a vet the same day if your dog has not eaten for 24 hours, and immediately if refusal comes with repeated vomiting, a swollen or hard abdomen, unproductive retching, pale gums, collapse, laboured breathing or obvious pain. Puppies, toy breeds and diabetic dogs need advice much sooner, as they can become dangerously unwell quickly.