Not eating (loss of appetite)

What to do

1. Call your vet now if you see any of the warning signs on this page.
2. If a toy puppy is also weak, wobbly or very sleepy, it may have low blood sugar. Go to a vet now.
3. If an adult dog is otherwise acting normally, try warming its food slightly or softening dry food with warm water.
4. Call your vet if an adult dog hasn't started eating within 12 to 24 hours, or if its eating habits keep changing.
5. If your dog recently started a new medicine and its appetite changed, tell your vet right away.

When to call your vet

• No food at all for 24 hours
• A young puppy that refuses more than one meal
• Vomiting or diarrhea as well
• Not drinking either
• Low energy, weakness or signs of pain
• A sore mouth, extra drooling, or eating on one side
• Weight loss, or yellow skin or whites of the eyes
• A dog with diabetes that skips a meal

Why

Illness, pain, a sore mouth, stress or a change of food can all put a dog off eating. Tiny puppies can use up their blood sugar between meals, so missed meals matter more for them.