We all know that food is body fuel. Without it, we couldn’t imagine life on earth. With different foods, the organism gets everything it needs for proper work.
The situation can become alarming when the dog stops eating.
But how long can a dog go without eating? Why did the dog stop eating and what should you do?
We analyzed the key reasons carefully. They will give you the answer to many questions.
Without delay, let’s take a look!
Table of Contents
How Much Can a Dog Actually Go Without Food?
Not all dogs tolerate the lack of food the same. Dogs can go without a meal for up to 5 days. However, if your dog has gone two days without food, make sure to visit your vet!
The season is also an essential factor. For example, during the winter, a dog needs more energy to maintain body heat. This is because the day becomes shorter, and there are changes in metabolism.
During starvation, metabolic processes are reduced. In other words, the dog’s body is getting more and more exhausted. Therefore, if starvation occurs, water intake is extremely important.
Reduced water intake will also reduce the tolerance limit. Water is essential because all metabolic processes or food ingestion require water. The dog’s body, like ours, consists mainly of water. Therefore, any lack of water must be compensated as soon as possible to keep the body healthy.
A daily intake of about 50 milliliters of water per kilogram of dog body weight is recommended. For example, a dog that weighs 10 kilos needs to ingest 500 ml of water to meet its daily needs.
What Made Your Dog Stop Eating?
Your dog aspires to be a family member. Therefore, some unimportant changes for us can affect a dog’s mood.
Sometimes it sounds very strange that your dog has no appetite. Especially if it happens after some physical activity, the reasons can be varied. See the following reasons by their frequency:
#1 – Changing Environment
You recently moved into a new apartment? Your dog will find this change harder to stand. Even small things can affect their mood. This often happens if you became a dog parent recently. The reason is the dog doesn’t feel safe in the new environment. Unfortunately, depression can also occur, so be careful and supervise your puppy friend.
What should you do? Choose a room where your dog will stay. That room is their safe space. This way, your dog will fit into the new environment faster.
#2 – Impaired Oral Hygiene
Decayed teeth will create a painful experience for the dog. This will further lead to more frequent skipping of meals. However, according to the dog’s behavior, we can’t conclude whether they feel pain during meals.
To avoid this situation, it is essential to monitor the health of the dog’s teeth and gums. By neglecting oral hygiene, the disease can spread to vital organs.
What should you do? Establish the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth. Before brushing your dog’s teeth, pay attention to the color of your dog’s gums. The natural color is bubble gum pink.
RELATED: Top 5 Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipes You Must Try! (2021)
#3 – Occurrence of the Disease
When the disease is present, the dog’s behavior is completely transformed. They reduce the activity to a minimum. The first symptoms may be vomiting or diarrhea.
What should you do? According to the American Kennel Club, if the dog doesn’t eat or the above symptoms occur or both, contact the veterinary ambulance!
#4 – Diet Change
Have you changed the type of food recently? If so, the dog needs time to adjust to the new diet. This is why dogs can be picky. Just like us, dogs love to enjoy food. But, conversely, giving the same food can also bore a dog.
An interesting claim by PetWd is that healthy dogs eat about 70% of the amount stated on the package.
What should you do? Avoid using unsuitable food. For example, if your dog doesn’t tolerate food such as milk, don’t use it even in small quantities.
How To Stop Meal Skipping?
In order not to add another day without meals, make sure to follow these tips. With them, you will get an idea of how to encourage the dog to eat. In addition, you will not get into a dangerous situation for your little friend.
So take the following steps:
#1 – Gradually Add New Products
As we mentioned earlier, sudden changes in diet will not suit the dog. Be patient and choose the right product. Initially, mix a third of the new food with the old food. As the week progresses, reduce the use of old foods.
Remember to feed your dog the optimal amount of food.
#2 – Walk Before Meals
Choose the ideal time according to your possibilities. Set aside 30 minutes before work for a walk with the dog. The dog will enjoy food after physical activity.
They will feel better and become more energetic. The walk will also be pleasant for you because you will maintain your fitness at an excellent level.
#3 – Prepare The Same Meal Differently
Change the way you prepare food. The dog will surely like a different way of preparation. Try reheating the food. Warmer food smells better and will taste nicer for the dog. You can use a microwave to raise the temperature.
Conclusion
The mood of the dog plays a dominant role when it comes to eating. To keep your dog in a healthy zone, choose the food carefully. If you are unsure what to do next, call a vet.
Have you faced any of these situations before? What advice did you find most helpful?
Leave your impressions in the comments below.
See you in the next post!