Why has my dog Stopped Eating?
My 13 year old dog has stopped eating everything. She will drink water but no food. It has been a few days now. I looked into her mouth and one tooth is sort of black and so is the gum. She throws up about once a day also. Could all this be from her tooth?
Shirley
Jacksonville, FL
Animals do not stop eating unless there is a reason.
When I think back to the last time I went a day without eating despite food being available, I remember being very sick. Similarly, when a pet stops eating it means that something is wrong.
Dental disease causes or has been linked to a huge number of problems in cats and dogs. However, unless a tooth has abscessed acutely, dental problems rarely cause pets to stop eating completely. I therefore consider it unlikely that your dog’s tooth is the cause of your dog’s inappetance.
I am worried that a metabolic problem such as liver disease or kidney disease, or a glandular disorder such as advanced diabetes, or cancer may be causing your dog’s appetite to disappear. Many other problems, such as infections with viruses or bacteria, trauma or dehydration also may cause symptoms like those you describe.
I recommend immediate veterinary attention for any pet that goes more than one day without eating. The sooner you find out what is wrong, the higher your chances of successfully addressing the problem.
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You have questions. 
Kiki stopped eating last year and was very lethargic. A blood test at the vet found that she has extremely elevated liver enzymes. A pup in our Pom group stopped eating and was throwing up too. They found she has pancreatis. A trip to the vet is definitely in order when you pup stopped eating.
I have a 14 year old Chow mix with the same problem. I am currently unemployed and cannot afford to take her to the Vet. When I asked about euthanizing her,, I was told they would not put her down unless she is suffering and this will still cost me money I do not have. What other choices do I have other than to watch her slowly die? Thanks
She will not eat. Same problem with my 12 year old Border Collie, she has been at the vets for two days on IV. All blood work and organs show no issues. Vet said she may have ate something bad her belly has full gas and a bacteria. She still won’t eat……my vet bill is $1,200.00 So someone tell me what is wrong with my dog…I’m broke!
My Zeppie, (11 year old hound), stopped eating. I think a lot of his problem is depression. He’s been an indoor dog most of his life. Now, he is outside for the most part. He has lost 18 pounds in one year’s time…
Have you tried boiling a pot of chicken broth, rice & chicken breasts? That seemed to work for a little while, however he turned his nose to it this morning. I took him to thevet and the blood tests will be in on Monday. Looks like tonight I’m moving him back in the spare bedroom and see if that will lift his spirits a little.
Pets can grieve themselves to death you know? I didn’t.
my dog is 5 years old , he has always at small amounts but he started eating less and less. he then stop,d eating all of his food,s no snacks, no food at all. we went to the vet. and she did a stoll and blld work and all came back ok she gave me med,s to settle him tummy and said to force feed him if he did not start to eat so we have he will drink good and he seems ok, but then we are seeing he does not wont to get up. and he sleeps alot we walk around the house and block. he use to pull me around now he walks so slow.