Separation anxiety and depression are two of the most common reasons dogs refuse food when their humans are away. Think about it — when you're feeling down or anxious, you probably don't have the biggest appetite either.
If it seems like your dog doesn't eat or drink when you're gone, but scarfs down their food when you arrive home, know that it's probably not just your imagination. “Dogs are pack animals. When you're gone, their pack is not at home. They're waiting for the pack to be there to eat,” says Hohenhaus.
Try tossing some kibble and making it a fun game while you talk calmly to the dog. Ask the dog a behavior (sit, down) and see if he takes the kibble as a reward. Offer several opportunities to eat. Do all you can to keep the dog less stressed.
They Don't Eat While You're Away
Dogs, just like humans, might lose their appetite due to distraction or depression. You will know this is true if their appetite returns as soon as you are back in the picture.
Your dog wants some company
“Dogs find that meals are more fun with others,” Semel tells The Dodo. “By nature, dogs are social creatures and the company can motivate them to eat.” If you don't mind hanging out while he eats, there's no harm in being in the room during mealtime.
Anxiety Caused by Separation
Yes, dogs can suffer from depression, and yes, it can be debilitating for them. Typically, your dog will go through a grieving period that can last anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks, depending on how long you are away.
Separation anxiety is a common cause of poor appetite in dogs. This can explain why some dogs only eat when you're around. Sometimes, an anxious dog won't eat while their owner is away, be it for an hour or a week.
If they miss you more than they can bear, your pooch will offer you a few telltale signs. Chewing on your possessions, crying when you leave, and staring at the door after you've gone are all key indicators.
Anxiety, stress, or fear can cause decreased appetite in some dogs, just like it can in people. Keep in mind that what you think is stressful is different from what your dog may see as stressful, and even small things can produce anxiety and cause them to not want to eat.
Dogs need food and water to survive. However, if they are otherwise well, they can survive for around 5 days without food, as long as they are drinking. It's true that dogs have survived for much longer periods without food, but there is a great risk of irreversible damage to their organs and tissues, or death.
If you are going out of town on vacation it is understandably a little nerve wracking worrying that your dog will think he's been abandoned. And for a pet who has separation anxiety this can be extra concerning. Dogs are social animals and having their person leave them will certainly have an effect on them initially.
Like their human counterparts, dogs develop favorite people over time based on positive experiences and positive associations with that person. Some people use tasty treats and other rewards to create strong bonds with pets, but the best way to build a healthy relationship with your dog is through play.
Dogs love their owners and would spend every minute of their day with them if it was up to them. When their owner leaves, it causes a lot of uncertainty, anxiety and sadness thus dogs vocalize it through cries in hopes their owner would return sooner.
“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.
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.
How Long Can a Dog Go Without Food? 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. More important than your dog eating is their water intake.
Any major change in a dog's life can be such a triggering event. A traumatic experience to the dog could be a divorce, a terrible scary storm, a large change in schedules or loss of a loved one. There are many things that can happen that the dog perceives as scary that can lead to separation anxiety.
Usually, dogs do not outgrow separation anxiety. Very mild separation anxiety may improve over time, but that isn't the case in most instances of moderate to severe separation anxiety. The condition has nothing to do with age, so it's not likely to improve on its own without some sort of intervention and treatment.
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.
Infections, illnesses, and pain can make your dog tired, listless and uninterested in food. When these symptoms continue for more than 24 hours, they could indicate the presence of a health issue that requires a visit to our veterinary hospital in Diamond Bar.
It is common for dogs to not eat their food, but eat treats or table scraps. This is referred to as partial anorexia and it typically occurs because your dog doesn't feel well.