Why isn’t my dog eating when on vacation?

Dogs don’t like it when their routine is disrupted, which is why they usually don’t like to eat when they're traveling with you. Other reasons could be toothache and other medical issues they picked up on the trip. Frequent snacking can also lower your dog’s appetite, affecting their meal schedule.

3 Reasons why dogs don’t eat while travelling

As pet owners, we love having our dogs by our side all the time. Some of us even bring our pups along when we’re on vacation!

However, there can be minor issues that we’ll face when travelling with our furry friends.

One of the most common things we face during these trips is our pets getting antsy and having issues with their appetite.

“Yeah, my dog doesn’t eat during trips - why is that, and what can I do?”

Let’s break down the most common reasons here!

Their schedule changed

As you may know, dogs love sticking to a specific routine.

They thrive on knowing that at a certain time of day, they’ll be eating, playing, or resting.

When you go on a trip with your dogs, these schedules tend to be disrupted. Their environment even changes, which can cause stress for your furry friend.

It’s also the same reason why dogs usually skip meals when you move to a new place.

To counter this, stick to their bathroom and feeding schedule as much as possible. While on the road, you can bring with you a few feeding tools. Having a training bag with you can make all the difference in making your trips more efficient and enjoyable for your pup.

They have medical issues

Another common cause of lower appetite in dogs is getting sick. If the issue is related to their teeth, it’s a surefire way to make them skip their meals.

Other medical issues that affect a dog’s appetite include:

• Heatstrokes.
• Motion sickness.
• Internal parasites.

These illnesses are common issues dogs face during trips.

One tip we can give when vacationing with your dog is to find a vet in the area where you’re staying. It would be best to get recommendations from your vet regarding this.

They’re eating too many snacks

Like how our moms reminded us not to fill up on snacks before dinner, dogs should also control their treat and snack consumption.

If your pup frequently munches on something throughout the trip, it’s no surprise that it will feel full when it’s time for its meals.

“Is this a huge problem?”

Not immediately, no. However, you need to remember that dog treats and snacks don’t contain the nutrients dogs need for the day. They’re usually designed to be very tasty, making them an effective tool for training.