If your dog goes more than 48–72 hours without eating anything at all, you should at least call your vet to inform them of the situation. A healthy adult dog can go a few days without a meal if she absolutely has to, but if you have a puppy, adult dog with a known medical condition, or a senior dog call sooner.
But, for healthy dogs to skip a meal for a day or two is not a cause for concern because domestic dogs share the ability to manage feast or famine conditions with their carnivorous wild cousins.
Most healthy dogs can go up to five days without food, though that number is only true if your pet is still drinking plenty of water. Some can even go up to seven days without, though you should never let things get that far without taking your dog to the vet.
Because loss of appetite in dogs can indicate illness, it is important to seek veterinary care if you notice changes in your dog's eating habits. It is especially important to respond promptly to a refusal to eat in dogs that usually eat well.
How Long Can a Dog Go Without Food? Dogs can usually go three to five days without food, however, this is not ideal. If your dog has gone two days without food, it is highly recommended you call a veterinarian if you haven't already. More important than your dog eating is their water intake.
The number of meals a dog eats per day depends completely on the family schedule. Dogs should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
While a dog can go a day without food, they shouldn't go longer than 24 hours without drinking water.
The most likely reason your dog isn't eating runs parallel to the main reason humans don't eat at times. “They're sick,” says Ann Hohenhaus, staff veterinarian at The Animal Medical Center in New York. “You don't feel like eating when you have a fever. You feel like lying down and taking a nap.
When it comes to fussy eating, remember that dogs will not normally starve themselves just because they are a bit choosy about their food (although if your dog goes 24 hours without eating anything, consult your vet).
Your dog could be avoiding his food due to liver disease, infections, a blockage, tumor or kidney failure. If your dog isn't eating but seems otherwise fine, that's likely not the issue. However, if he doesn't start chowing down within 24 hours, it's time to seek medical help.
Dogs who have been underfed will show signs of canine lethargy, will appear skinny, and can even develop further health complications if gone untreated. If your dog appears to be skinnier than the average, make sure you ask your vet for specific instructions on how much and how often you should be feeding your pup.
Dogs fed once a day are less likely to be diagnosed with age-related conditions than dogs fed more often, according to an analysis of surveys completed by 24,000 owners of pet dogs.
If you feed him twice a day — and if the next meal time is coming soon — just apologize profusely to him, and feed him the normal amount at the next scheduled time. If there will be a long wait, maybe consider putting a little food down now, which will undoubtedly screw up his eating schedule to some extent.
If hungry, your dog will eat.
No. Dogs actually have fewer taste receptors compared to humans. That means they have less of an urge to eat something different every day. So your dog will not get bored of eating the same food every day.
Take it easy
Provided the dog does not show any signs of abnormalities, you should not worry about the issue. One or two days without food may be a problem. However, when the fasting goes on for more than two days, you should take action immediately.
The most common feeding frequency is feeding your dog twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Dogs have a stomach structure that means they'll get hungry between 8-10 hours after their last meal, so a breakfast/dinner schedule is better than breakfast/lunch or lunch/dinner or feeding them once a day.
DF: I have found that the best feeding and toilet pattern for dogs is going out for a morning walk or yard run and eating a light breakfast, and then taking a walk about noon to 2 p.m. Before an evening meal (between 5 and 6 p.m.), go on a long walk or run.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long. DO prepare your dog before you go.
Is There a Best Time to Feed Your Dog? "While there is no best time, with most dogs that eat twice a day, it is best to feed them in the morning as soon as you get up and then again when you get home from work in the afternoon.," says Dr. Sara Ochoa, veterinary consultant for doglab.com who practices in Texas.
If possible, dogs older than 6 months should not be left alone for longer than 4 hours at a time. If this is difficult, the absolute maximum time for them to be alone is 8 hours, but this is only recommended if your dog has a way to get outside for a bathroom break.
Most adult dogs poop once a day on average, although for some dogs, two or three times per day is still considered normal. Puppies, on the other hand, may need to go much more often—sometimes as much as five times a day or more.
Besides the long-term risks of puppies not eating as they should, there are some immediate risks to take into account when your puppy refuses to eat. Puppies, unlike older dogs, don't have fat reserves. Therefore, they can't go longer than 12 hours without food.
No Food or Water Before Bed
If they go to sleep on a full stomach and bladder, it won't be long before they're whining to go out. Don't feed your puppy in the three hours before bedtime, and do your best to withhold water for the last hour or so.
Ideally, you should feed your dog twice a day. Most importantly, these two meals should be provided at the exact same time every day. A regular schedule means they will also end up having regular bathroom times every day. As well, you can monitor if there are any health issues present.