my 15 year old dog stopped eating and drinking

What To Do If Your Old Dog Wont Eat

Have you recently noticed a change in your dogs appetite? I know from experience just how stressful it can be when your old dog wont eat.

We often feel helpless or overwhelmed, trying to do anything possible to encourage them to eat something, anything

Youre not alone!

The first step to helping your dog feel better is identifying the reason for their change in appetite.

Last Updated: Sept 2, 2023

In this post, I will look at the many explanations your old dog stopped eating, ranging from boredom and lifestyle changes to potential medical reasons.

Well also discuss possible solutions to help your dog regain their appetite.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we participate in). As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating?

Your dog can go a few days without eating, but the sooner hes back to eating, the better, in an old dog that may already have health issues.

From my experience, I would not wait more than 24 hours before calling the vet.

A significant concern is whether your dog has also stopped drinking. Dehydration can set in very quickly in an old dog, particularly if they arent well.

In the most severe cases, dehydration can be fatal.

Im sorry to be so blunt, but its essential you realize how serious it can be. If your dog is not drinking call your vet right now.

Why is My Old Dog Not Eating His Food Anymore?

Before you start to panic, take a moment to look around and think about possible reasons your old dog refuses to eat its food.

Below are some reasons to consider.

Environmental Causes for an Old Dog Not Eating

There are 12 key environmental causes that could explain why your old dog wont eat.

1. Have there been any changes in their environment? For example, have you moved?
2. Are there any new people living in the house?
3. Has your dog been stressed lately (possibly due to thunderstorms, fireworks, or construction)?
4. Have you recently changed your dogs food? There a possibility that they are not liking their new food, or its upsetting their stomach.
5. Have you noticed any changes in recent behavior?
6. Is your dog possibly grieving the loss of an animal companion?
7. Have there been any changes in your dogs daily schedule? Have there been changes to your schedule that could be impacting your dog?
8. Was your dogs meal served in a new bowl (thats right, that can be an issue for some)?
9. Is it possible that your dog is bored with the same dry kibble day after day and year after year?
10. Is your dogs food is too hot/too cold?
11. Have you started feeding your dog in a different room or location?

12. Medical Reasons an Old Dog May Stop Eating

I lump medical reasons into one possible cause #12.

But this is the one explanation for why your senior dog wont eat that needs to be explored even deeper.

There may be many medical reasons for your dogs lack of appetite, including:

• Dementia
• Cushings
• Pancreatitis
• Liver issues
• Kidney issues
• Cancer
• Dental problems
• Dulling of senses as a natural part of the aging process
• Mobility issues that make it difficult to reach the bowl
• Changes in vision, including loss of depth perception
• Infection
• Anxiety
• Reaction to a medication or vaccination
• Nausea (from overeating, ingesting something off the street or as a symptom of some of the conditions listed above)

Taking Your Dog to the Veterinarian Because They Arent Eating

If youre sure nothing in your environment can be the cause of your dogs lack of interest in food, the next step is to call your veterinarian.

Make an appointment as soon as possible to rule out any of the medical causes listed above.

If it has been more than a day since your dog last ate, I would give the person answering the phone those details, and see if they can find you an appointment that day or the next.

In a situation like this, we are often so worried about our dogs that the vet appointment can be nerve-wracking.

I encourage you to make a list of your concerns in advance and bring it with you.

It ensures you dont forget to mention something, making your appointment more productive. Plus, it will help your vet with a diagnosis by providing more information for them to consider.

Helpful Information to Provide Your Veterinarian

Below are some questions your veterinarian may ask you during your visit.

Make a note of the answers before your appointment so you dont have to take up valuable time trying to remember.

• How long has it been since your dog has eaten?
• How many times a day do they eat?
• Is your dog eating something or nothing at all?
• Is it just food thats an issue, or are they drinking more or less than usual?
• Is there a certain time of day they will eat?
• Have you changed their food?
• Have they been throwing up? Having diarrhea?
• Is it just the dog food your dog wont eat or are they losing interest in everything?
• Will they still eat treats?
• Are there any other behaviors youre concerned about?

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Your vet will ask you whats been happening with your dog. This is where the list will come in handy.

Once you have finished your chat, he will examine your dog and may even take his temperature.

In your situation, and I have been there many times, I would also expect blood and urine tests to be done.

Some tests can be done in-house and produce results in just a few minutes. Samples typically have to be sent away for further analysis, but at least you can get an idea of whats going on, and treatment can begin immediately.

Your vet may recommend an appetite stimulant to encourage your dog to eat. They may also give your dog an injection for pain or nausea if they feels these are issues.

Be sure to ask if there are any foods your dog should avoid.

Please do not let your vet dismiss your concerns with a diagnosis of your dog is old. Old age is not a disease. It is an umbrella term that covers many conditions, each needing to be considered.

I would seek a second opinion if your current veterinarian doesnt feel the need for testing. In my experience, if youre concerned, there is a reason to be concerned.

Diagnosis and What Comes Next

Only once all the test results are in, and there is a diagnosis, can you discuss treatment options with your vet.

I also think its a good idea to research and see what else is out there, particularly if youre interested in incorporating some natural or alternative options in your dogs treatment plan.

If you have found other possibilities that interest you, speak to your vet before giving anything to your dog.

Another option would be to connect with a natural or holistic veterinarian to oversee your dogs ongoing care and treatment.

Creativity is Key to Getting an Old Dog to Eat

When a senior dog is suddenly not eating, there are two things we need to focus on finding the cause (with the help of our veterinarian) and getting our dog to eat again.

Unfortunately, we cant sit our dogs down an explain to them why they need to eat.

Instead, we need to find creative ways to stimulate their appetite.

Getting your senior dog to eat is a combination of finding the right conditions (environmental factors), finding the right foods, and getting help from your veterinarian if needed.

Here are some ideas you can try:

• Vary the foods you try so your dog doesnt know what to expect.
• Put all or part of their meal in a Kong or other treat dispensing toy to provide exciting mental stimulation
• If they eat dry food, add some water and microwave it to make a gravy
• Add at least one extra meal to their day to increase the chance/amount theyll eat
• Are there certain times of day your dog is showing more interest in food? Change mealtimes to match
• Exercise stimulates appetite, so maybe go for a walk, a swim or something similar before mealtime
• Put dog food on a human plate yes it has been known to help
• Try hand feeding, especially if your dog is suffering from dementia, mobility problems, or vision issues
• Put the food directly on the floor or try elevating the dish
• Feed your dog in the park or backyard a change of scenery may help
• CBD oil for dogs may help stimulate your dogs appetite, depending on the reason your old dog wont eat

If you usually put medication in their food, try giving it separately and see if that makes a difference.

It may be changing the taste of the food, and while it didnt bother your dog in the past, if theyre finicky now, that could be all it takes.

Their pills can go in something like cream cheese, spray cheese, or a pill pocket treat and be fed separately from meals.

Other Foods to Try

One way you can try to reignite your dogs appetite or convince them to at least try eating something.

These foods can be added to your dogs existing diet, either mixed in or used as a meal topper or given on their own if necessary.

Please check with your vet to make sure the ones you consider are safe for your dog.

• Boiled broccoli
• Boiled squash
• Raw or cooked carrot
• Cooked green beans
• Raw apple
• Baby food
• Bone broth very nutritious and super easy to make
• Grated cheese on top
• Low-fat cottage cheese
• Tiny pieces of pizza crust added to dog food
• Scrambled eggs (no oil) with or without cheese
• Whole grain rice
• Quinoa
• Cooked oatmeal
• Peanut butter
• Roll of dog food (like a salami roll). You can slice up the daily amount and feed it throughout the day
• Tuna packed in water
• Sweet potatoes mashed up and mixed in with food
• Sardines
• Mackerel
• Steak (cooked with no spices)
• Baked potato with butter
• Low salt ready-made broth
• Blend dry food until its almost dust and mix with canned food
• Freeze-dried meal toppers
• Unflavored yogurt
• Boiled chicken tenderloins or chicken breast cut up
• Organic ground turkey mixed with turmeric golden paste, cooked vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) and blend.
• Ground turkey burgers
• Canned pumpkin

There are many more options, but this is a good start.

Helpful Tip: Pour the water from the chicken into ice cube trays, freeze, and defrost individually to pour over your dogs food.

Final Thoughts: Dont Lose Hope if Your Dog is Not Eating

If your elderly dog is not eating, finding out why and get them eating again can be a real challenge.

I hope you have found this advice helpful, and some of the options listed will have your dog eating better.

There are so many emotions when trying to get an old dog to eat: stress, anxiety, fear, worry Yes, I have felt them all.

Dont lose hope though. The chances are, using the tips, tricks, and techniques above, you will get your dog eating again.

Have you figured out the reason your old dog wont eat? What foods or tricks did you try that worked? Sharing helps others, so please leave your comment below.

Is your old dog not eating? It probably has nothing to do with hunger

Your dog is not only your best friend, but also a member of your family. Thats why it can be so special to watch them grow up and grow old. Sharing your life with a senior dog is a joy and a privilege, especially when youve been through so much together. But caring for an older pet wont be without its challenges.

Just like the bump in health issues we see in human senior citizens, an increased risk of health problems is also common in senior dogs. Older dogs frequently experience changes in their eating and sleeping patterns, such as snoozing more often or a decrease in appetite. While small, gradual shifts are to be expected, sudden changes are worth looking into.

If you have an old dog eating but not drinking water or an old dog sleeping a lot and not eating, its time to bring your senior pooch to the vet for a checkup. Heres what you need to know about an old dog not eating, from why it happens to what you can do about it.

What could your old dogs loss of appetite mean?

Its always alarming when one of your fur babies stops eating out of the blue, but a sudden loss of appetite is particularly worrisome when you have an older dog. However, you dont need to panic! Changes in appetite arent necessarily a sign that your dog is approaching the end of life.

As dogs age, their metabolism and activity levels slow. Because your pooch is expending less energy, they may not feel the need to eat as much as they used to. In rarer cases, your dogs loss of appetite may also be due to an underlying health problem, such as:

Cancer

Unfortunately, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs ages 10 and older. Half of all dogs will develop cancer in their lifetimes, and an estimated one out of four dogs will die from this heartbreaking disease.

A number of different cancers can cause a change in appetite, but it can also be a side effect of many cancer treatments. In many cases, a veterinarian will be able to help you come up with a plan to keep your fur baby fed an comfortable.

Pancreatitis

Your pooch may suffer from a loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea if theyre afflicted with this potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can have a high mortality rate approximately 40% of dogs suffering from severe acute pancreatitis wont survive but it can be treated if its caught early. This is why its never a bad idea to visit the vet when youre feeling worried.

Addisons disease

Often called the great imitator for its ability to mimic other illnesses, Addisons disease affects your dogs adrenal glands, leaving them unable to produce hormones necessary to control basic bodily functions. Hair loss, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, dehydration, and shaking are all symptoms of this disease. While Addisons disease is incurable, its symptoms are treatable.

Heart problems

Just like humans, older dogs are at an increased risk of heart problems, such as heart valve degeneration, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a weakening of the heart muscle that leaves it unable to pump blood properly. Some breeds may be prone to heart problems, too, so its worth doing your research.

Kidney and liver problems

Loss of appetite is a common symptom of kidney and liver diseases, which results in an inability to properly remove waste from the bloodstream and a buildup of toxins. Kidney and liver disease are both common in dogs, especially older dogs.

Non-serious causes for loss of appetite

Fortunately, your senior dogs loss of appetite may not be anything to worry about. Just like people, dogs can experience a loss of appetite because of a stomachache, overindulgence, or even food poisoning. If your dog suffers from allergies or has contracted a cold, they may not be interested in food for a few different reasons: either they cant smell it, or they just dont feel like eating.

Because a loss of appetite may be a symptom of a potentially life-threatening illness, we recommend taking your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Yes even though its a false alarm most of the time! If your pup also stops drinking, though, its time for a visit to the emergency vet.

What to do when your old dog stops eating

Just like humans, dogs have distinctive personalities. Some dogs are finicky eaters and turn their noses up at most foods, while others eat every last bite of kibble, no matter what you feed them. When you notice a change in your dogs appetite, its important to make a note of whats changed.

A loss of appetite doesnt necessarily mean your dog refuses to eat a single bite, but they may not be eating as much as they used to. It can still be a cause for concern, though; seeing your dog refuse to finish a bowl of their favorite food is disconcerting for any pet parent. Some dogs may stop eating altogether.

Whether your dog isnt as enthusiastic as they used to be at mealtime or theyve given up on food completely, we recommend a trip to your vet for a checkup. Your vet will undoubtedly ask questions about your dogs eating habits, such as:

• How long has it been since your dog ate?
• Have there been any changes in your dogs diet or home life?
• How much has your dog been eating at a time recently? Is the amount different from usual?
• Is your dog losing weight?
• Does your dog have any other symptoms, like vomiting or diarrhea?
• Has your dogs water consumption increased or decreased?
• Does your dog reject all food, or are they willing to eat certain things?
• Do you free-feed your dog? If not, how often do you feed your dog every day?

Because dental disease is commonin older dogs, your vet will probably examine your dogs teeth to rule that out as a potential cause. The vet will also probably conduct blood tests and collect urine and fecal matter samples.

What happens when an old dog stops drinking water?

As previously mentioned, a dog who isnt drinking water could be in a lot more trouble than a dog who isnt eating. After all, water is essential to every bodily function, and it only takes a few days without water to end a persons or animals life. Fortunately, there are many strategies pet owners can implement to get their fur babies hydrated again.

If a dog isnt drinking water because of an environmental change, you will want to do your best to recreate their old water bowl setup. Alternatively, raising your old dogs water dish might make it easier for them to reach water without bending down on sore joints. Sometimes, though, a dog doesnt drink water because theyre dealing with a medical condition.

Happy Tails ER Vet recommends enticing a dog to drink with a bit of chicken broth in their water, or by letting them chew on ice cubes. If the problem persists and your dog shows signs of dehydration, though, its essential to make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Your dog is your best friend and a beloved member of the family, so you do everything you can to provide them with the best food, fun toys to play with, and your endless devotion. Youre familiar with all your fur babys habits, so you know something is wrong when you notice them turning up their nose at their favorite kibble.

Keep a close eye on your pup for a day or two in case the appetite returns to normal on its own, taking notes on any other changes in behavior or additional symptoms, and take your dog to the vet if theyre not back to normal within two days. If your fur baby also refuses to drink water or displays more worrying symptoms like extreme lethargy, call your vet to see if they want you to bring your dog in right away, or take them to an emergency vet just to be safe. You know your dog best!

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