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Why Is Your Dog Not Eating?

Pet Stop • Jun 19, 2014

Dogs love food, and the moment you notice that your dog is unable to eat or has lost its appetite, it’s likely to raise concern. You are constantly on the lookout for your dog’s safety, whether it’s a trip to the vet or an electric dog fence, you keep your pet safe.

If your dog stops eating, you want to know why. Anorexia is the scientific term used to describe an animal that is unable to eat or suffers from appetite loss. Here’s a look at both the behavioral and medical reasons behind this.

Behavioral Reasons

Usually behavioral reasons behind anorexia are less serious and can be addressed quickly. Some of the top behavioral reasons include:

Stress - Whenever dogs change environments or ownership, they usually undergo a temporal period of stress until they get accustomed to the surroundings. Thereafter, the stress disappears and they go back to their normal eating schedule.

Dislike or Boredom with Food – When you introduce your dog to new food, it may develop an initial resistance thereby refusing to eat. Just like humans, dogs can also become bored with a certain type of food if they are fed on it for a long time. This could also explain why they develop anorexia.

Behavioral anorexia should last for a maximum of 24 hours beyond which you need to seek medical attention.

Medical Reasons

Medical causes of anorexia are usually serious and as such you need to contact your vet for a thorough examination. Some of the medical conditions that may lead to loss of appetite include:

Digestive Problems – When your dog vomits or has diarrhea, it is very unlikely that it will continue feeding regularly. Digestive problems disrupt the abdominal processes leading to loss of appetite.

Liver Diseases – Cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis have been linked to loss of appetite and unhealthy feeding patterns. Since most of the enzymes that regulate digestive processes originate or are controlled by the liver, liver diseases may drastically affect feeding of your dog.

Some other medical reasons could result from respiratory diseases, kidney problems, dental issues and bacterial or viral infections.

Whenever you notice that your dog has not eaten for around 24 hours, you need to take it to the vet for examination. Puppies are particularly prone to feeding problems.

Just like you consult a professional when it comes to your pet’s health, it’s smart to consult professionals in every important safety aspect. If you need an electric dog fence, Pet Stop, Columbus, OH is the right professional for the job.

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