My dog refuses to eat. Should I be worried?
My 3-year-old Golden Retriever hasn't eaten his food for 2 days now. He'll drink water but just sniffs his bowl and walks away. He's still active and playing with his toys. No vomiting or diarrhea. Should I wait it out or take him to the vet?
1 Answer(s)
Two days without eating is definitely enough to call your vet, even if he seems fine otherwise. Dogs can go longer than us without food, but 48 hours is pushing it, especially for a Golden Retriever which is prone to bloat. The fact that he's drinking water is good, but not eating for this long can actually lead to a dangerous condition called hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), especially in dogs.
That said, there are some things you can try at home first. Try warming his food slightly — microwaving it for 10 seconds can make it smell stronger and more appealing. You can also mix in a little boiled chicken, low-sodium broth, or a spoonful of plain pumpkin puree.
Check his teeth. Sometimes dogs stop eating because of a toothache or something stuck in their gums. Gently lift his lip and look for redness, swelling, or broken teeth.
If he still won't eat after trying these things, or if he starts vomiting, seems lethargic, or has a bloated belly, get to the vet immediately. Don't wait. Better safe than sorry with this one.