Some dogs seem to want to eat everything in sight and owners feel that they could actually eat non-stop. Other dogs, particularly toy or small breeds, do not seem to eat much at all and some owners worry if their little furry friend is getting enough food. In either case, it is worrisome when a dog stops eating. It is even disturbing when a dog appears to have a very small appetite in comparison to what was considered to be normal for them.

The first to thing know is that refusal to eat food is a sign that a dog is in pain. When a dog has either an external injury, an internal injury or is ill they often have a lack of appetite. In this case, the dog stop eating altogether or they may eat very little, only nibbling a bit here and there.

There can be many medical issues that an owner cannot see with their eyes and the dog may be in pain and in need of veterinary care. Therefore, if a dog stops eating for more than 24 hours, it is recommended to bring him or her to the veterinarian.

If a dog seems to be eating a bit less than normal, an owner should keep in mind that the weather may actually have something to do with this behaviour. Dogs, in general, will eat about 10 percent less food during hot months than they do during cold months. Therefore, if an owner and dog live in an area that goes through the 4 seasons, alternating between hot and cold months, it will be normal for that puppy or dog to eat a bit less when the weather is hot. If this seems to be the case, do be sure to offer your dog plenty of fresh, cool water all of the time. Some dogs can be very finicky about water, able to know if water has been sitting out too long and they prefer nice, fresh, cool water that is rotated on a regular basis.

Another element to keep in mind is that when you think that your dog is not eating, it may be because you noticed that they lost weight. They may have lost weight due to an increase in exercise. Alternatively, if they are changing from puppy to adult dog, many breeds will begin to have a sleeker look as they begin to lose body fat and gain lean muscle.

It is important to bring your dog to an experienced, reliable and reputable veterinarian whenever they stop eating food. This is particularly important if the dog also stopped drinking water or is trying to eat and drink but is regurgitation the food back up. A dog can become dehydrated and weak very quickly if this is happening. Only a professional vet will be able to make a determination as to what exactly is causing the change in eating habits.