Sometimes dogs who have isolation anxiety will not eat when their owners are not at home. If your dog is not eating, you need to talk to your vet to help discover the underlying cause, especially because your dog's physical health will decline rapidly without proper nutrition.
Why Losing Appetite Occurs in Dogs. One of the most common reasons for a lack of appetite in dogs is separation anxiety. This can occur when your dog is left at home alone for too long or if he has been abandoned.
Dogs can usually go three to five days without food, however, this is not ideal. If your dog has gone two days without food, it is highly recommended you call a veterinarian if you haven't already.
Give your dog at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity (for example, running and swimming) every day. Try to exercise your dog right before you have to leave him by himself. This might help him relax and rest while you're gone. Play fun, interactive games with your dog, such as fetch and tug-of-war.
Research suggests that eight out of 10 dogs find it hard to cope when left alone. Yet, half won't show any obvious signs and so it can be easy for owners to miss. The good news is that separation anxiety (SRB) is preventable and treatable.
Expect to spend around two months working with your dog to alleviate his separation anxiety. Taking it slowly during the early stages–getting your dog comfortable at the moment of your departure–will allow the later stages of lengthening your time away to much more quickly.
Bone broth is a very mild, liquid meal that sits easily in upset canine stomachs. It is also a nutritious and delicious way to add moisture and flavor to dry food and encourage dogs with reduced appetites to eat.
Pseudo-anorexia is another type which is when your dog is hungry and really wants to eat, goes to the food bowl, but can't eat due to a difficulty chewing or swallowing. If your dog stops eating for a day or two, but is otherwise active and alert, then it's ok to keep a close eye on them initially.
A puppy goes through two major phases in its life, which can sometimes lead to it eating less or refusing food completely. The first phase concerns the change of teeth, which takes place approximately between 3 and 7 months.
Anxious behaviors like pacing, whining, or trembling while you're gone or as you prepare to leave. Excessive barking or howling. Destructive acts, such as chewing or digging, particularly around doors or windows. Accidents in the house – urinating or defecating.
Capromorelin (brand name: Entyce®) is a systemic appetite stimulant used to encourage appetite in dogs.
Recent research has shown that dogs with mild separation anxiety fare better when alone with one minute of slow, gentle petting and soothing talk from their owner just before leaving than being ignored. Dogs with moderate to severe cases should be ignored or just get a “See you tonight” as you walk out.
If your dog isn't eating, consult a vet within 8-12 hours if there is any accompanying vomiting or diarrhea. Absent these symptoms, there's a few likely reasons your dog isn't eating, including emotional issues.
Put digestive enzymes in a dollop of yogurt, cottage cheese, or other moist whole food and add to the top of the kibble, and mix the enzymes lightly in. Your dog will eat the enzymes in the first few bites, which will help digest the kibble eaten right after.
If your dog will drink water but won't eat, it may be due to nausea, stress, or mouth pain. If they are able to keep the water down, that is a good sign.
No-salt-added chicken or vegetable broth. Fresh or frozen water-based vegetables (green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, etc.). The occasional dry-scrambled egg. Air popped popcorn (no butter or salt).
There are many benefits to adding water to your dog's dry food like helping to prevent dehydration, increased digestibility, making it easier to chew, and helping with weight loss.
“In my experience, the four most common breeds of dogs that exhibit signs of separation anxiety are typically Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas (both mixed breeds and standards), German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels”, says Dr.
As dogs get older, they may start to experience separation anxiety. This is because they become more attached to their owners and may feel anxious when left alone. The same factors contributing to generalized anxiety can also result in late-onset separation-related issues.
However, allowing your dog to sleep in your bed may encourage a problem that's already there. For example, sleeping in bed with you can reduce anxiety in dogs, but can also exacerbate separation anxiety in the long term as your dog becomes used to having you as support every night.
Our Pick: Entyce Oral Solution
If your dog isn't eating due to a medical condition, your veterinarian may prescribe a product like Entyce. “The only FDA-approved appetite stimulant is Entyce,” says Dr. Pagán.