How long can a dog go without eating?

How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating? Understanding Appetite Loss and When to Worry

As a devoted dog owner, it can be concerning when your furry companion turns their nose up at their food bowl. The question inevitably arises: how long can a dog go without eating? While dogs, like all living beings, require food and water for survival, the timeframe they can endure without sustenance varies depending on several factors. It’s crucial to understand these variations and, more importantly, to recognize that a change in appetite can often signal an underlying issue that requires attention. This article will explore how long can a dog go without eating, the critical role of water, differences between adult dogs and puppies, potential reasons for a dog’s refusal to eat (anorexia or hyporexia), when to be concerned and seek veterinary help, and tips to encourage your dog to eat.

If you’re worried about how long your dog can go without eating, here’s the quick answer: most healthy adult dogs can be okay for around 3 to 5 days without food, as long as they are drinking water. However, it’s really important not to wait that long. Keep reading to understand why this can vary depending on your dog’s age and health, what could be causing them not to eat, and what steps you should take!

How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating?

While it’s far from recommended, understanding the general timelines can help you gauge the urgency of the situation.

• General Guidelines for Adult Dogs: Most healthy adult dogs can survive for three to five days without food, provided they continue to drink water. However, this is not a situation to be taken lightly, as prolonged absence of food carries the risk of irreversible damage to their organs and tissues, and even death. It is essential to contact your veterinarian if your adult dog has not eaten anything for 48 hours (two days), even if they appear otherwise normal.
• The Critical Importance of Water: Water is even more vital than food. Dehydration can manifest its effects much quicker and with serious consequences. In fact, if a dog is not drinking water, you may start to see the effects within 24 hours. A healthy dog can survive for around 3 days without water, but going without water for longer than 24 hours will likely make them feel unwell and could lead to permanent organ damage. Therefore, it is very important to contact your veterinary clinic if your dog doesn’t drink anything for 24 hours.
• Puppies: A Different Ballgame: Puppies have different nutritional needs due to their rapid growth and they possess fewer fat reserves compared to adult dogs. They require more frequent meals. The duration a puppy can go without food varies by age.
  • Newborn puppies in their first week need to nurse every two to three hours, and going without milk for more than a few hours can be critical, potentially leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and dehydration.
  • Puppies in their second to third week should nurse at least every four hours.
  • A 3-month-old puppy should not go without food for more than 4-6 hours.
  • A 6-month-old puppy should not go without food for more than 6-8 hours.
  • Generally, puppies should not go without food for more than 3-10 hours depending on their age.
  • If a puppy is separated from its mother, it should be fed a suitable puppy milk replacement every 2 hours. After the first 24 hours without food, it becomes increasingly dangerous for a puppy, potentially leading to weakness and hypoglycemia.
  • Puppies should never go more than 6 hours without water.
  • If your puppy is skipping meals, it is crucial to contact your veterinarian. Going 24 hours without food can have significant adverse effects on a puppy’s health, including hypoglycemia, weakened immunity, and digestive issues.
• Sick or Recovering Dogs: Dogs who are already unwell or have existing health issues may not be able to tolerate going without food for as long as healthy dogs. For instance, if a dog’s body is already weak, their organs struggling, or their weight is too low, going without food for just one day could have far more serious implications. A sick puppy should not go without food for more than 6-8 hours. After surgery, anesthesia, or sedation, a temporary loss of appetite is normal, but if your dog is still not interested in food the following day, it’s worth checking with your veterinarian in case they need anti-sickness medication or pain relief.
• Senior Dogs: While healthy senior dogs may have a slightly decreased appetite due to lower calorie requirements, a significant change in their appetite is a reason to contact your veterinarian. Age is not a reason for a dog to become anorexic.

Why is My Dog Not Eating? (Possible Causes of Anorexia or Hyporexia)

There are numerous reasons why your dog might not be eating. It’s essential to rule out medical reasons first before assuming it’s behavioral.

• Medical Reasons: A decreased appetite in dogs is often a sign of sickness.
  • Gastrointestinal Issues: This can include stomach upsets from dietary indiscretion, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), stomach ulcers, constipation, and infections like parvovirus.
  • Obstruction: A foreign object stuck in the gastrointestinal tract can prevent eating.
  • Organ Dysfunction and Systemic Illness: Conditions such as kidney failure, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), liver disease or hepatitis, and pancreatitis can lead to a loss of appetite. If your diabetic dog is skipping any meals, contact your veterinarian immediately as this can have serious consequences. If your dog has no appetite but is drinking excessive amounts of water, this may also be a reason to seek immediate veterinary attention, as it could indicate diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • Dental Problems: Pain from gingivitis, periodontal disease, fractured teeth, or even an oral tumor can make eating uncomfortable. Sometimes things can happen below the gum line that cannot be seen, like a tooth root abscess.
  • Tumors or Cancer: Masses in the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines, as well as other types of cancer like lymphoma, can negatively affect appetite. Any type of cancer in dogs can negatively affect a pup’s appetite.
  • Orthopedic Issues: Arthritis or hip dysplasia can make it painful or difficult for a dog to reach their food bowl.
  • Medications/Toxins: Many side effects of both over-the-counter and prescribed medications can lead to a decreased appetite.
  • Recent Vaccination: A temporary loss of appetite can occur after a recent vaccination.
  • Infections: General infections can cause a loss of appetite.
• Behavioral and Emotional Factors: Dogs can experience emotions similar to humans.
  • Stress, grief, anxiety (generalized or separation anxiety), fear, and phobias can all contribute to a decreased appetite. If your dog will only eat while you are in the room, they may have separation anxiety.
  • Cognitive decline in senior dogs can also affect their feeding habits. Make sure to keep their feeding routine consistent and their food bowl in the same place so they can find it easily.
  • Sometimes dogs can simply be picky or fussy eaters. However, always rule out medical reasons first.
  • Uncomfortable feeding situations, such as being around aggressive dogs, can also deter a dog from eating.
• Environmental Changes: Significant changes to the home environment can cause stress and anxiety, which can affect appetite. This includes moving to a new home, adding a new pet or child, having houseguests, construction, rearranging furniture, or moving food and water bowls. Reduce the movement of their food and water bowls so there is routine and consistency.
• Problems with Food:
  • Check if the food is moldy or expired.
  • A sudden change in food brand, flavor, or recipe can lead to a dog refusing to eat. Any time you change a dog’s diet, it should be done gradually over several days to weeks to avoid upsetting their stomach.
  • Ensure your dog isn’t being fed by someone else in the home or receiving too many treats (including human food), as this can lead to them being full or holding out for tastier options. As a rule, dog treats should make up no more than 10% of your pup’s calories.

When Should You Be Concerned and Contact Your Vet?

Prompt veterinary attention is important when you notice changes in your dog’s eating habits.

• If your adult dog hasn’t eaten for 48 hours (two days), even if they seem otherwise normal.
• If your puppy is skipping meals.
• If your diabetic dog is skipping any meals.
• If there are any other changes in behavior alongside loss of appetite.
• Alarming Symptoms Requiring Immediate Veterinary Attention: Always contact your vet if your dog displays a loss of appetite along with any of the following symptoms:
  • Vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Lethargy or lifelessness.
  • Weight loss.
  • Gagging, wheezing, or coughing.
  • Acting unwell.
  • Pain.
  • A tense or distended abdomen.
  • Yelping when their abdomen is touched.
  • No interest in food the day after surgery.
  • Excessive water drinking with no appetite. If your dog has no appetite but is drinking excessive amounts of water, this may be a reason to seek emergency attention, as he could be experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis.

How to Encourage Your Dog to Eat (After Ruling Out Medical Issues)

If your vet has ruled out medical causes for your dog’s lack of appetite, you can try several things to tempt them to eat.

• Enhance Food Appeal:
  • Heating up their food can increase its smell and palatability.
  • You can also try strong-smelling foods that they enjoy, such as small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey.
  • Adding broth (low-sodium) to their normal food can also make it more enticing.
• Adjust Feeding Habits:
  • Offer food in smaller portions but more frequently.
  • Try hand-feeding a few pieces.
  • Make mealtime a positive experience, for example, by playing with a toy that dispenses food or rewarding your dog with food for doing a trick.
  • Taking your dog for a walk before mealtime might also help stimulate their appetite.
• Food Modifications:
  • Consider trying a different brand or flavor of pet food. Sometimes brands change their recipes or ingredients, and your pet might no longer like it. If you suspect your dog isn’t a fan of their current food, try switching to something different.
  • You could also try different types of food, such as canned food if you normally feed dry food, or vice versa. Wet food is often more palatable.
  • Offering bland, easily digestible food like boiled chicken and rice (without spices or seasonings) for a short term can be helpful.
  • Consider home-cooked style dog food that contains human-grade whole food ingredients, as these may retain more flavor. However, if you decide to change their diet permanently, do so gradually and ideally with veterinary guidance.
• Other Tips:
  • Ensure a consistent feeding routine and a quiet, comfortable feeding area, especially for puppies and senior dogs. Keep the feeding area away from high-traffic areas to minimize disturbances.
  • For senior dogs with cognitive decline, keep the food bowl in the same, easily accessible place.
  • Consider raised food bowls for senior dogs with mobility issues.
  • Cut back on treats.
  • Try changing the feeding situation, such as feeding alone if other pets are present, or using different bowls or plates at different heights. You might even put a few pieces of food on the floor next to the feeding dish.
• Veterinary Interventions: Your veterinarian may prescribe appetite stimulants such as mirtazapine or Entyce™ (capromorelin). Anti-nausea medications like Cerenia® (maropitant) or ondansetron can also be beneficial if nausea is suspected. In severe cases, syringe-feeding a liquid diet or inserting a feeding tube might be necessary. Consider whether your pet would benefit from a dog multivitamin, especially for senior dogs, to ensure their nutritional needs are being met (always with your vet’s advice).

What Happens if a Dog Goes Without Food for Too Long?

If a dog doesn’t eat for three days, they will start to feel weak. The body will first break down fat reserves and then move on to muscle. As time progresses, there is a potential for organ damage and failure. Ultimately, prolonged absence of food can increase the risk of death. For puppies, going without food for 24 hours can lead to rapid development of hypoglycemia, weakened immunity, and digestive issues. Prolonged absence of food can negatively affect all body systems. Going without food longer than three days can lead to damaging effects on the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

Final Thoughts

While healthy adult dogs can generally survive for a few days without food, it is never advisable to let this go on for an extended period. It’s crucial to address the underlying cause of appetite loss promptly. Always prioritize water intake, as dehydration can have rapid and severe consequences. Contact your veterinarian within 48 hours if your adult dog refuses to eat, and immediately if you notice any other concerning symptoms, or if it’s a puppy or a dog with a known medical condition like diabetes. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to preventing serious health consequences and ensuring your furry friend’s well-being.