When Old Dogs Stop Eating: Understanding the Reasons and Taking Action

There are many different problems that can strike older dogs. One of these is a sudden drop in appetite. This can cause a cascade of different health problems that will make their health even worse. 

So, why is your old dog not eating? What can you do to fix it? This article will explore these questions and several more. 

Why Is Your Old Dog Not Eating?

There is no singular reason for a lack of appetite in an older dog. Instead, there are multiple different potential reasons that may be to blame. 

Gastrointestinal Disease

Your dog’s gastrointestinal tract controls the flow of food from the moment it enters their body to the moment it leaves. As such, it has an impact on what it does with that food and their body’s desire for it. 

With this in mind, it is clear how a problem with the GI tract can cause a problem with your dog’s food consumption. The two most common issues within a dog’s GI tract are pancreatitis and a GI tract blockage. Both of these issues give your dog intestinal problems, like vomiting, that make them less likely to eat. Both issues are also, unfortunately, more common in older dogs. This is why issues with eating tend to become more pronounced over time, possibly leading to your old dog not eating. 

Related: Sleep Twitches: Why Dogs Move at Night

Pain

Pain can have a massive influence on many of your pet’s actions. If they are in enough pain, even normal tasks become far more difficult and uncomfortable. This can cause your pet to start exhibiting some odd signs, like limping or changing their moods. The exact extent to which they do each of these things and how exactly they influence your pet depends on the kind of pain. 

Pain from arthritis or an injury will make it more difficult for your pet to move around. They may not even want to get up from their bed or go for walks because the pain of doing so is too great. This problem can be exacerbated by anything making it more difficult for them to reach their food, like a set of stairs or a slippery floor. To help with this, try to make it as easy as possible for them to reach their food. 

Jaw or mouth pain is another serious problem that can kill a pet’s appetite. If something is specifically causing them pain when they try to eat, they will avoid eating to avoid the pain. Dental issues, like tooth decay or gum infections, are particularly common sources of this type of pain. Because of this, treating these issues is often the first step in managing the pain and getting your dog to eat again. If your old dog is not eating, see if they may be suffering from any of these pains so you can get them the relief they need.

Does your older dog need something to help them calm down? Check out our calming help oil to see if it can make trips to the vet and other stressful situations easier.

Medication 

How many times have you seen medication with a label reading “may cause loss of appetite” or something similar on the list of side effects? This is because many medications, including medications for dogs, upset the stomach, making it less pleasant to eat. 

Technically, this particular problem can strike any dog. However, it is far more common in older dogs because they are more likely to be taking multiple different kinds of medication. 

To address this, you can start by taking a look at the medications that your dog is taking to see where the problem lies. From there, you can talk with your veterinarian about the issue. See if they have any other medications your pet can take or if they have any other suggestions about what to do. 

Sickness

When you’re sick with a stomach bug, it can be hard to eat. Because of this, you are less likely to eat anything. The same is true when your pet is sick. Issues like diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and other illnesses can upset your pet’s stomach and make them eat less. These problems are also far more common in older dogs than younger ones. 

You can sometimes address this issue by addressing the source of the sickness. This involves going to your veterinarian and treating the problem. 

Related: Why Dogs Whine: Understanding Canine Communication

Cognitive Problems

Dogs, like people, start to slow down mentally as they age. This can range from mild symptoms to dog dementia. 

While cognitive problems won’t directly lead to a lack of appetite, they can lead to other issues that will. Dogs with dementia tend to eat non-food objects, which can upset their stomach to the point where they stop eating. They could also end up forgetting their food schedule or even where their food is located, both of which will prevent them from eating. 

The best thing you can do to help your dog in this situation is to make it easier for them to eat. Take the food directly to them and remind them about it so they don’t forget to eat. In addition, keep an eye on them if you suspect they are eating non-food objects.

Getting Your Dog to Eat Again

Since there are many different potential sources of your pet’s appetite decrease, there are also many different solutions. Some of the individual approaches have been outlined above. However, there are also general solutions that can work for a few different issues. 

One of the most common is to use more appetizing food. You can try using wet food or coating dry food with something moist, like chicken broth or sesame oil. Sometimes, the additional appeal of the food will be enough to get your pet to eat it. 

In serious cases, your vet can prescribe your dog an appetite stimulant. This includes products like Capromorelin. These are medications designed to encourage them to eat more. 

Do you need something to help your older dog get a little relief? Contact Rooted Owl to see how we can help.

Holistic Calming Approaches

If your dog’s lack of appetite stems from stress or anxiety, you may want to consider a holistic calming method. Doing so allows you to take advantage of natural ingredients that have been used by healers for hundreds of years, like THC and ashwagandha. You’ll find THC, ashwagandha, and more in the calming hemp oil offered by us at Rooted Owl.

Many other pet parents have found this calming oil to be effective in helping their pup relax in stressful situations. Our oils are veterinarian-recommended and made with USDA-certified organic ingredients. Both you and your pet may feel more relaxed with a high-quality choice like this.   

Older Dogs and Their Appetite

Appetite issues in dogs are a serious concern. They can cause other problems if left untreated and may even indicate an underlying issue. By looking out for the source of the problem and working with your vet, you can help your dog get back to normal again. 

Related: Belly Rubs Explained: Why Dogs Adore Them