Remember, puppies don't have the same fat reserves as adult dogs. Therefore missing a meal or two can be problematic and be a cause for concern. Always err on the side of caution and call your veterinarian for advice in these situations.
However, if they regularly miss more than one to two meals, then there's something wrong. If your puppy goes for two days (48 hours) without eating anything, then it is a clear indication that you need to have your puppy checked.
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.
Don't leave food out for your dog to graze on — take it back within 10 minutes if it hasn't been eaten to help cement the idea of mealtimes. Use your dog's kibble as treats, and only offer meals for short periods of time. This leaves your dog no choice but to eat their food and hopefully get used to it.
In general, puppies should be fed three (or even four) times per day until they are about 4 months old, at which time they can be fed twice a day. Most adult dogs seem to do best on two meals per day, but some people find that their dogs do better on one meal a day.
Like human babies, puppies start out needing many small meals a day, of a food formulated for their special nutritional requirements. Most, but not all, dogs finish meals quickly. To discourage picky habits, feed at regular times in regular amounts and don't leave food down for more than 10 to 20 minutes.
She may have simply filled up on a few too many treats that day, or she might be feeling a bit bored with her kibble. 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.
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.
As long as a dog is not ill, either with a chronic illness such as kidney disease, or with an acute illness such as a respiratory infection, he can survive for over a week without eating. Most dogs will not hold out very long before their survival instinct kicks in and they take your advice to eat what is offered.
It might seem as though your little pup is hungry all the time and in bouts that can feel sudden. But the reason for this is that your furry friend is growing 20 times faster than a mature dog. So, they'll need a lot more energy to get them through that growth.
The Ideal Puppy Feeding Schedule
A puppy's meal schedule must include at least three measured meals a day, preferably at the same time every day. For example, feed your puppy's first meal around 7 a.m., noontime for lunch, and 5 p.m. for dinner.
Potential Puppy Health Issues
If your new puppy won't eat, it could be due to certain health issues including: Contagious infections: The most common is kennel cough, which causes coughing and sneezing; and parvovirus, which comes with vomiting and diarrhea, and can be fatal if left untreated.
Do you ever wonder whether your furry friend gets bored of eating the same food? Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans. So, while they will more than appreciate a mouthwatering meal when it's served up to them, they won't necessarily grow tired of eating the same food every day.
Sometimes health issues like nausea or mouth pain can cause a picky appetite, so it's a good idea to book a veterinary checkup if your dog isn't eating well. Once you're sure there's no underlying health problem, you should try reducing treats and selecting one nutritionally balanced dog food and sticking to it.
A sudden disinterest in food may mean your puppy is sick, perhaps intestinal woes. If you suspect something may be wrong, make an appointment with your puppy's veterinarian. If your puppy eats other kinds of food (like wet food or snacks) and refuses to touch his dry food, he may just be a picky eater.
You should be able to feel but not see their ribs, and they should have a visible waist when you look down at them. Body condition, not the amount eaten or left in the bowl, should determine portion sizes. Portion sizes depend on individual metabolism and body type, and nutritional requirements vary from dog to dog.
Anything from a simple stomach upset, to dental problems can cause appetite loss. Stress – Stress and anxiety caused by people, other animals or the environment can affect your puppy's desire to eat. For example, this could be due to separation anxiety, a noisy washing machine, or another pet they don't get along with.
Switching from three to two meals at six months old is likely to be ok for most small breed dogs as they finish growing sooner than large breeds. Large breed pups can continue growing up until 12-16 months of age and for this reason, they might need to continue three times daily feeding until then.
Getting the timing right. On average, puppies will poop between 5 to 30 minutes after eating. Just like humans, puppies have a gastro-colic reflux. This reflux action takes place after eating as the stomach fills and the colon gets stimulated and starts making poop.
From when you bring your puppy home at eight weeks until they are four months old, it's best to feed them four meals a day. At four months, reduce this to three meals a day and when they turn six months, reduce to two meals. Continue a morning and evening meal for your pup's life.
Once your puppy is weaned (between 3 and 6 weeks) and has transitioned to solid food, it is best to feed them 4 times a day from ages 6 - 12 weeks. When your puppy is between 3 - 6 months old, reduce meals to 3 times a day. For ages 6 - 12 months of age, you can begin feeding them twice a day.
If your dog has been exposed to other better-smelling food – fresher, meatier - he may turn his nose up and walk away from his current diet. So, dogs can get bored and refuses to eat the same smelling dog food over and over, preferring something new and exciting!
Dogs may go off their food because of changes in their environment, stress, an adverse reaction to drugs, and nausea. Dental problems, pain and internal obstructions can also cause dogs to lose their appetite.
Some dogs become bored with the smell, flavor, and texture of their food. Change out one ingredient, such as swapping any chicken-based food for fish or lamb. You can also add fresh ingredients to the dog's kibble. Both steps may awaken those sensitive noses and make an old dish more exciting.