Why is my dog/cat not eating? Understanding loss of appetite

Picky eaters

There are truly some dogs/cats that are picky eaters. The most notorious dog breeds are our toy breeds (Yorkies, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, etc.) and some larger breeds such as German Shepherds, Huskies, and Greyhounds. Cats are very peculiar about their environment and food and thus can become very picky eaters. The important thing to consider is if your pet has always been a picky eater. If you have needed to switch foods often to keep your pet interested in eating most of their life, they maintain their weight, have a nice hair coat, and are alert/perky, (s)he may just be a picky eater. However, if your pet’s attitude towards food has changed, they have become lethargic, have lost weight, or have any vomiting or diarrhea an underlying cause needs to be explored.

If you have a pet that seems to be a picky eater and you have changed foods frequently or have added toppers (such as table scraps, rotisserie chicken, etc.), you may also be contributing to the problem. Dogs and cats, much like children, learn very quickly that if they hold out on a meal, you will offer them something better. How do we correct this behavior? Scheduled feeds help the most.

1. Offer their food at a certain time in the morning. Leave the food for 20-30 minutes.
2. If they do not eat in this time frame, pick up the food and do not offer anything else.
3. At their next mealtime, in the evening, offer their food again for 20-30 minutes.
4. If they do not eat, pick up the food and do not offer anything else.
5. Repeat this cycle and make sure no one else in the household gives in.
6. Remember, your pet isn’t starving. If (s)he was, (s)he would eat the food when you offered.
7. If after 2-3 days, your pet hasn’t eaten anything, you can try a different food (always try to transition between foods slowly, over at least a week) and I highly recommend making an appointment with your vet. (If you have an overweight cat, I would not recommend going more than 2 days of your cat not eating before trying a different food due to the risk of hepatic lipidosis).

True loss/change of appetite

If your pet is experiencing an appetite change or loss of appetite, a thorough evaluation by your veterinarian is needed. Any illness can cause a change or loss of appetite and so your veterinarian will likely need to run lab work and do imaging to determine the underlying cause. Providing a good history is very important as it can help your veterinarian determine which testing is more appropriate. Below are some of the most common causes of appetite changes.

Puppies/kittens/Young dogs and cats:

Parvovirus is a disease that affects the small intestine. This potentially fatal virus affects puppies or unvaccinated dogs. This disease causes rapidly progressing clinical signs such as anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Supportive care is key in helping your puppy fight off this virus, and hospitalization is highly recommended.⁵

Foreign bodies are another common cause of change in appetite. While this can affect dogs and cats of any age, most seem to outgrow eating objects with age. A common sign in young dogs and cats is the inability to keep food down. Your puppy or kitten might eat with the same enthusiasm they have always had, but minutes to hours later, they vomit it all up. Your pet may also continue to eat, but not produce normal stools. At that point, surgery may be required.

Young to middle age dogs and cats:

Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease) in dogs can affect the appetite. This disease is a result of the adrenal glands not producing enough glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids. This disease may present acutely or have waxing and waning clinical signs. Most commonly, affected dogs demonstrate vague, nonspecific, intermittent clinical signs such as lethargy, weakness, anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Inflammatory bowel disease seems to affect middle-aged dogs and cats most commonly. This disease presents with signs such as weight loss, vomiting, variably reduced appetite, and diarrhea.

Middle age to older dogs and cats:

As dogs and cats age, problems affecting appetite seem to be more organ-related. Such diseases as liver and kidney illnesses, pancreatitis, and cancer can all affect appetite.

What to do if your pet is not eating

First, you need to decide whether your pet is just being picky or not. If you have a picky eater, try the scheduled feeds and see if they start to eat once you stop offering any other treats/foods.

If your pet does have a true change in appetite, take in your pet’s surroundings. Are there any toys missing? Did you have a hair tie on the sink that your cat could reach and suddenly it’s gone? Is it possible that someone else has fed your pet?

If you know your animal ate a foreign object, but (s)he is not showing any clinical signs, you can monitor it at home for normal stool consistency, frequency, and volume. Also, see if any foreign material passes. If your pet develops clinical signs such as inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss, immediate veterinary care is recommended.

Reasons to schedule a veterinary appointment

1. Your pet still isn’t eating despite first trying scheduled feeds and then offering another food
2. Your pet has any accompanying clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, etc.
3. You are concerned.

If your pet is experiencing changes in appetite, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. Our mobile vet team is prepared to conduct necessary tests and provide the best care for your pet’s comfort. Book a visit with us today, and let us confidently address your pet’s health concerns.