Why is my dog not eating?

One of the few reasons why dogs won’t eat is because they’re experiencing dental issues. Your pup might also have intestinal parasites, which can affect their appetite. In some cases, dogs also feel food boredom - something that happens if they don’t have variety in their meals. 

3 Reasons why dogs stop eating their kibble

They have dental problems

Dental issues are prevalent in dogs with poor dental hygiene. When they suffer from this, their appetite can be affected because they feel pain when chewing their food.

These dental issues can also stem from their skeletal system. Canines that have brachycephalic features tend to have issues with their jaws and the formation of their teeth. 

In some cases, these dog breeds also retain their deciduous teeth, also known as “baby teeth”. When this happens, the development of their jaws can be severely affected.

Low-quality dog food also tends to affect your pup’s dental health negatively. Brands that contain high levels of refined carbohydrates, e.g. grains, can increase tartar and plaque buildup in your pup’s mouth.

If your dog also loves eating sugary food and drinks, this can put their dental health at risk, too.

They have intestinal parasites

Aside from the discomfort that dogs feel when there are parasites in their tummy, these pesky pests can also cause your dog to:

• Feel lethargic.
• Have changes in their sense of smell.
• Have lower levels of essential nutrients.

It doesn’t matter how tasty your pup's food is; your pup will still be unable to eat anything. Feeding them with your hand sometimes helps, but to solve this issue, it’s best to visit the vet and buy the right meds for their parasites.

They’re experiencing food boredom

Imagine eating your favorite food every single meal, every day.

This sounds nice on paper, but in reality, no matter how much you love a certain food, there comes a time when you’ll feel bored of it, maybe even hate it.

This happens to dogs, too!

You might have been feeding your dog the same kibble, wet food, or treats, and now they’re looking for something else.

What you can do is try to switch up the texture of their food. If your pup is used to dry food, give them wet ones for a few days, and vice versa.

Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat treats?

Pet owners generally use treats as rewards for their pets during training. This might be one of the reasons why your pup loves to eat treats and ignore their kibble.

They have more positive associations with treats than with the kibble you’re feeding them, so they tend to prefer treats.