- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Puppies need a lot of care and close monitoring, from supervised potty breaks and play to carefully scheduled feedings. So when your puppy skips a meal, it’s completely normal for a pet parent to be concerned.
While a puppy’s lack of appetite can be alarming, you probably don’t need to worry, says Dr. Sarah Cortright, a fear-free veterinarian and Chief Medical Director of the Underdog Community Project in Los Angeles.
Dr. Cortright says that there are plenty of reasons why a puppy may not eat at mealtime. Most of the time, nothing is wrong—your puppy might not like their food or be too busy playing to stop. If it’s been more than half a day since their last meal, however, or if you notice other changes in behavior, a trip to the vet might be needed. Read on to learn why your puppy may not be eating, what to do about it, and when to see a veterinarian.
Normal Reasons Your Puppy Isn’t Eating
Most of the time, a puppy not eating is no reason to worry, especially if it hasn’t been too long since their last meal. If your young dog is still playing, still excited about treats, and generally acting like their normal goofy self, they’re likely to be just fine.
“Normal reasons [for skipping a meal] include being in a new environment, stress from recent changes (such as adoption or a new home), distractions, or simply not being hungry if they’ve had too many treats or snacks,” says Dr. Cortright. “Some puppies can also be picky eaters, especially if they’ve learned to expect more exciting food options.”
New routines & puppy stress
It’s hard to imagine a puppy getting stressed out, but even small shifts in their life can be overwhelming. Any changes, including coming home to a new family, can trigger anxiety that leads to a lack of appetite.
New environments require a period of adjustment dogs of all ages. It’s important to be patient and loving as your puppy gets used to his or her new surroundings and schedule. They may not be hungry at the right times yet, but they’ll quickly adapt.
Changes in your household routine and even rearranging the furniture can also cause a young pup to become stressed. You’ll want to keep an eye on other pets in the household. Sometimes the dynamics of new siblings can cause distress, causing your puppy to lose interest in food.
Distractions
Are you ever so fixated on something that you forget to eat? It happens to puppies too.
Many puppies don’t yet recognize their body’s hunger signals, and so they may get caught up in new surroundings, new discoveries, and new toys without even realizing that they’re ready for food. Mid-meal distractions (like a doorbell or a cat walking by) can also pull a puppy’s attention away from their bowl.
Tatomm via iStock
Picky eaters or lack of food motivation
Your puppy may not be a fan of the food you’ve chosen. Maybe they did like it, but changed their mind and now avoid it. They may not be food-motivated in general, preferring your attention to a meal.
If your pup is turning their nose up at their bowl, you may want to consider trying a different puppy formula. It might not be the flavor of the food that’s a problem, either. Sometimes puppies don’t like the size of the kibble or the texture—especially when they’re teething. Experimenting with a variety of flavors and sizes can help you and your puppy find a food that they enjoy and that meets a puppy’s nutritional needs.
Fear
If your puppy is not eating, watching their body language can help. Some dogs become fearful of a noisy bowl, something in the environment (such as a loud fan nearby), or even the outcomes of eating. If they became sick after a meal, they may become skeptical of the food that led to it.
Teething is another reason puppies sometimes become averse to their bowl. Dry kibble is a lot more difficult to chew than wet food, and puppies can learn to associate mealtime with pain. Adding some water or dog-safe broth to soften the food, or even switching to canned food, may help to ease that concern, while also making the food more appetizing.
Overfeeding
Overfeeding doesn’t just mean giving your puppy too much food. It also means giving them too much of the wrong foods. Too many treats or an overabundance of yummy human food can cause puppies to become full before mealtime—or even teach them to hold out for the good stuff.
Meals should be carefully measured to meet your puppy’s ongoing nutritional and energy needs. Treats should also complement their feeding schedule rather than distract from it.
Side effects of vaccinations
Vaccinations are essential for your dog’s overall health, but a puppy’s tiny body gets pumped with a whole lot of them in the first few months. Vaccinations are safe, but vaccines occasionally come with some side effects that may result in a puppy not eating.
How To Help a Puppy Eat
Sometimes puppies just need a little encouragement to chow down, and there are many techniques you can use to help. You probably don’t want to try all of these at once, as it’ll likely overwhelm your pup—and you. Experiment with the techniques that get your pup interested in their bowl. Here’s what Dr. Cortright recommends.
Set a consistent feeding schedule
Routine is key to help a puppy learn when to be hungry and what to do. Set and stick to a consistent puppy feeding schedule right away. Structure your exercise and playtime around your mealtimes. Exercise can increase your puppy’s appetite, so it might be helpful to schedule play or walks 30-60 minutes before a meal. For many puppies, this consistency is enough to get them on track.
Minimize distractions
Keep puppy toys and other pets out of the room while you feed your puppy. This helps them keep their attention on the food and nothing else. You may also need to step out—though some puppies might do better if you’re sitting quietly nearby.
Limit treats & human food
Teach your puppy to be hungry and excited about mealtime by limiting the number of treats and human foods you offer. Your puppy will soon realize that their dog food is the only meal they get and stop holding out for something better. If you’re training, you can also use part of your puppy’s regular kibble as training treats, subtracting the training amount from their overall needs.
Change the food
Let your puppy sample a variety of puppy foods to see what they prefer. Try canned and dry, different brands, and different protein sources to find what wins over your puppy’s taste buds. You can also try moistening their kibble with water or broth and heating the food in the microwave to bring out the aromas, or mixing dry kibble with wet food as a meal topper to make it more tantalizing.
Remember, if you’re switching up your dog’s food, you’ll want to take it slow, swapping just a little bit each day to make the transition easier on your puppy’s stomach.
Change the bowl
If your pup is scared of clanging metal, consider switching to a silicone dog bowl. You might also look for something with low sides so it’s easier for your puppy to reach their food.
If they’re eating too fast and making themselves sick, try a slow feeder. If they’re just not all that interested in their food, make it a game with a puzzle toy or snuffle mat. Hand-feeding is another way to help stimulate your puppy’s interest in their food—just make sure you help them transition back to a bowl, or you’ll soon be hand-feeding a fully grown dog.
Zheka-Boss via iStock
Use cues and training
Make mealtime part of your puppy’s training plan. When you feed your puppy, use a verbal cue—something like “Time to eat!” or “Eat!” Give your puppy praise and affection before and after the meal too so that they associate mealtime with good things.
Remove food & try again later
If you’ve tried everything and your healthy puppy still isn’t eating, sometimes you just have to take the food away and try again later. If your puppy doesn’t eat after two minutes of the food being placed in front of them, remove it. You can try again with fresh food in an hour.
You’ll want to avoid free-feeding, as that will only make it harder to stick to a consistent schedule down the line. By carefully managing your puppy’s feeding schedule, you can help them adjust over time.
How Long Does Picky Eating Last?
Some dogs eat everything in sight, while others have a much more discerning palate. Most of the time, though, Dr. Cortright says that pickiness is learned.
“Puppies who are frequently given treats, human food, or food toppers may start to hold out for something ‘better’ instead of eating their regular meals,” she explains. “Inconsistencies in feeding routines or offering too many food choices can also encourage picky eating.”
People food and treats are tantalizing for your puppy, but they don’t meet your puppy’s nutritional needs. For your puppy to grow up strong and healthy, they need a balanced diet—and they’re far more likely to get it from a specially-formulated puppy food.
So how do you discourage pickiness and get your puppy eating right? “Structure, consistency, and limiting extra treats can help prevent picky eating from developing,” says Dr. Cortright.
When To See a Vet
While most bouts of puppy pickiness resolve themselves, there are times when it’s important to consult with a veterinarian about your pup’s health.
“Underlying health issues like gastrointestinal problems, infections, parasites, or even teething discomfort can lead to food refusal,” says Dr. Cortright. “If a puppy suddenly stops eating, especially if they are lethargic, vomiting, having diarrhea, or showing other signs of illness, a vet visit is necessary.”
Noticeable weight loss is one of the most common signs that something is really wrong—but you don’t want to wait until you can see your puppy’s ribs to reach out. “A puppy’s small size and fast metabolism mean they can’t go long without eating,” Dr. Cortright explains. “Unlike adult dogs, they are more prone to low blood sugar, which can be dangerous. If a puppy skips more than one meal or hasn’t eaten in 12-24 hours, they should be seen by a vet.”
The overall signs to watch for include:
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
“Young puppies, especially toy breeds, are at higher risk of complications from not eating and should be evaluated sooner if they refuse food,” Dr. Cortright recommends. The sooner you can get your small puppy in to see a vet, the better. With the guidance and expertise of a veterinarian, your pup will hopefully be back to their happy (and hungry) self in no time.
