How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating?
If a loss of appetite in your dog has been worrying you lately, or you’ve discovered an abandoned pooch and you know it must have been a couple of days since they last ate, then the aim of today’s post is to give you some peace of mind and reassurance. Let’s dive in and answer the question “How long can a dog go without eating?”.
How Long Can A Dog Survive Without Food?
Generally speaking, experts say that a period of anywhere between three to five days is probably a good rule of thumb to use. However, there are several factors to consider when trying to determine an accurate figure.
Consider the age of the dog, whether or not it has any underlying health conditions, whether the dog has had access to water, and other factors such as temperature and stress levels. These areas can all affect your dog’s capacity to survive without food.
It’s important to understand that harm can still occur within a much shorter time frame than the maximum five-day window specified. If your dog is older or suffering from an underlying health issue, then they’re likely to face problems much sooner.
Realistically speaking you should seek veterinary assistance if your dog hasn’t eaten for 36 hours. This will ensure that they can receive appropriate treatment before any lasting damage can set in.
Why a Dog Won’t Eat and Solutions
Along with answering the question “How long can dogs go without food?” we also want to provide you with a few reasons why this happens and what you can do to remedy it. Common reasons for not eating include:
- Stress
- Digestive issues
- Anxiety
- A change in their food
- A new location
- Serious underlying medical issue
Here are some simple solutions:
- Broths
Even though your dog won’t eat, they can still temporarily get their nutrients from liquids in the form of a well-formulated doggy broth.
- Home comforts
Make sure your dog is surrounded by its favorite toys and blankets/bedding as much as possible to reduce any stress.
- Different food
If you’ve recently changed the food you give your dog, try making another switch to see if it’s just a preference issue that’s keeping your pooch from eating.
- Learn their patterns
You may simply need to learn your dog’s eating patterns if it’s newly adopted. Try to time their food intake with their relaxation windows.
- Medical examination
If they haven’t eaten for 36 hours, it’d be a good idea to seek veterinary assistance.
Conclusion
We hope that you now feel a little more relaxed about why your dog might not be eating. It’s actually quite unlikely that it’s due to a serious issue. Hopefully, our solutions will assist you in finding a way through to get your dog to eat again successfully. If not, always make sure you consult a veterinarian for assistance.