Did you know that a man named Angus Barbieri holds the Guinness World Record for surviving without any solid food for 382 days? He subsisted on tea, coffee, sparkling water, vitamins, and soda water. But there are Jain monks in India who have survived merely on water for more than 180 days as well.
Experts estimate that an average person can survive for three weeks without eating. When it comes to dogs, an average dog can go for 3-5 days without eating. This is conditional on them drinking sufficient water, though. (4)
While you know this fact now, we highly recommend not thinking of it as okay to let your dog starve for so long. And if you’re trying to offer food to your dog but they are refusing to eat, there is a high chance of an underlying medical condition.
Loss of appetite or anorexia can be caused due to several reasons. You’ll usually notice a change in your eating habits if your dog is suffering from some medical condition. There are two types of anorexia here – (2)
True anorexia – When a dog refuses to eat because of a serious underlying medical condition
Pseudo-anorexia – When your dog is hungry and even wants to eat the food that you’ve kept in the food bowl but can’t due to difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
Here are some potential causes of anorexia in dogs – (2)
Illnesses including kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, infections, fever, cancer, pain, gastroenteritis, etc.
Dental diseases including pain due to decay, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), broken tooth, abscess, oral tumor, etc.
Environmental conditions like moving houses, being away on a trip, hot weather, being around another dog, a different food bowl, etc.
Medication that can cause a reduced appetite or nausea.
Absence of the owner.
Vaccinations, etc.
How Long is Too Long for A Dog Not to Eat?
If your dog hasn’t eaten anything for 48 hours, then you should be taking them to the vet immediately. If your dog has not even had water, you should treat it as an emergency after 24 hours itself.
If a dog goes without water, some may be able to survive for 72 hours but will start showing some signs of dehydration after 24 hours. (4)
How to Feed a Dog That Won’t Eat?
Firstly, do not panic. It’s okay for your dog to refuse food at times, It may be a tantrum or a genuine reason. Irrespective of that, you must remain calm and not force the food on them. Try to find the reason for your dog not eating. Take your dog to the vet to see if any medical conditions are causing it. If there are none, here are some ways you can feed your dog that won’t eat. (3)
Make the food bowl a little more interesting – Try adding different flavors or mixing dry and wet food together.
Top the bowl – You can top their food bowl with human food that is safe for dogs to eat. It can be plain chicken, fish or a little low-sodium beef/chicken broth, steamed or boiled butternut squash, sweet potatoes or pumpkin. Keep the quantity very low and avoid any type of seasonings.
Jogging before hogging – Take your dog for a nice walk so that your dog is well-exercised and hungry.
Feed at consistent times – Divide the daily meals into 2-3 equal-sized meals and feed them at equally spaced intervals. Do not let the food out for your dog to eat whenever they want. Establish a regular schedule.
If your dog resumes eating, then you don’t need to worry. But if your dog shows signs like vomiting, diarhhea, lethargy, weight loss, excessive thirst, unusual stool or constipation, it is always better to take them to a vet.
What to Feed a Sick Dog That Won’t Eat?
A sick dog prefers foods that are more appetizing than others. These include – (1)
Wet food (especially if your dog normally eats dry food)
Baby food like meat-based baby products like chicken, lamb or turkey that don’t have onions or garlic in them.
Bone broth
Chicken broth
Shredded unseasoned chicken
Chicken and white rice
Pumpkin (again unseasoned)
If your dog refuses to eat, make sure that you make them feed enough water. Your dog may be able to live without food for a couple of days, but their tolerance for not drinking water is very low. You can give an ice cube to your dog to lick if they refuse to drink water from the bowl.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
As we mentioned above, loss of appetite is usually a sign of an underlying reason. Some conditions may be minor, but some can be very severe, like cancer and tumors. Even when the reason is a dental disease, it can be severe. The more severe the condition, the higher the cost of treatment. And we wouldn’t want you to worry about the costs when you’re already worrying about your pet.
This is where pet health insurance helps. You can save up to 90% of the vet bills and much more with it. Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
I’m Charlie: canine enthusiast with a knack for figuring out why my dog, Dallas, is more infatuated with tennis balls than me. My lifelong passion for dogs has created a dedication to help other pet parents better understands their furry family members!
Jcsupport. (2020, August 31). How to get a sick dog to eat. https://drphillipsanimalhospital.com/2020/08/31/how-to-get-a-sick-dog-to-eat/
Mrcvs, L. S. (2024, July 29). When should I worry about my dog not eating? Vet Help Direct. https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2020/09/13/when-should-i-worry-about-my-dog-not-eating/
Why is my dog not eating and what can I do? (n.d.). Small Door Veterinary. https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/what-to-do/dog-wont-eat
GmbH, T. (2022b, November 17). How long can a dog go without food? Dogs without food. https://iams.eu/en-gb/dog/dog-advisor/nutrition/how-long-can-a-dog-go-without-food
