How Long Can Dogs Go Without Food?

If your dog is not eating normally, you are probably worried. You may even be starting to wonder: How long can a dog go without food? And when should you call the vet?

Most healthy dogs can go 3-5 days without food. Some may even survive up to 7 days without food. However, this is not ideal. If your dog has not eaten for 2 days, you should call the veterinarian. Keep in mind that every dog is unique. So, it is difficult to say exactly how many days your dog can go without food.

Another thing to watch out for is whether your pooch is drinking water. In extreme situations, dogs can survive without food and water for 5 days or longer, but it can result in serious health consequences.

Why won’t my dog eat his food?

There can be various reasons your four-legged friend is turning away from his feeding bowl. Fortunately, most of these causes are not life-threatening and are easily treated. Common reasons why a dog might refuse food include:

• Gastrointestinal illnesses (look out for other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy along with the loss of appetite).
• Dental problems which make chewing painful.
• Picky eaters will tolerate hunger rather than eat something that doesn’t appeal to them.
• Anxiety, stress, or depression can cause loss of appetite in dogs. Look out for other signs of mental distress such as lack of interest in play and sleep difficulties.

What happens if a dog doesn’t eat for 4 days?

If your dog does not eat for 4 days or more, he or she could develop malnourishment and dehydration. This can progress to loss of body fat and muscle mass, and ultimately, organ failure. You should consult a vet if your dog hasn’t eaten for 2 days even if the pooch is behaving normally.

How do you force feed a dog who won’t eat?

You should not force feed a dog as this can cause stress. If your dog hasn’t eaten for 2 days, call the vet to find out what’s causing the refusal to eat. However, if it has been less than 48 hours since your dog has refused food, you can try the following strategies:

• Let her fast. Sometimes, a dog just needs to take a break for a meal or two. Her appetite will come back and she might go back to eating normally.
• If you think your dog may be anxious or depressed, try comforting her.
• Hand feeding is a great way to offer some extra TLC if your dog is refusing to eat.
• Encourage her to eat by giving her something other than her usual meal (wet food instead of dry food or vice versa).
• Add warm water to dry dog food to make it softer to chew.
• Warm your dog’s food in the microwave to give it a more appetizing aroma.
• Try offering your dog some of her favorite foods or a treat to make eating more appealing.
• If she has gastrointestinal symptoms, try giving her bland food like boiled chicken and rice.
• Other food options for a dog who is refusing to eat include fish, steamed or boiled vegetables, and low-sodium chicken broth. Just make sure you don’t give her human foods that can be harmful to dogs.

04 December, 2022