Do dogs not eat when they are depressed?

Question

I leave food out for my dog all the time - he doesn't overindulge and is not overweight. If he's hungry, he should be able to eat. When I come home, dog is happy. I play with dog, pet dog, all that stuff. First thing after that, that dog wants to do, is eat...I think he's starving himself all day because he's lonely and depressed. Anybody else see this too?

Answer 1

Serious separation anxiety. He is to busy worrying about you rather than his food. Give him things to keep him distracted when you are gone, like chew toys and hide his favorite treats around your house for him to find.
another thing to do is train your dog to know it's ok when you leave because you will come back. Like go out your door for 5 minutes, come back in and give him lots of love. Once he settles in for 5 minutes, extend the time.
And one more thing, do you keep him in a crate? Or a room that is safe and secure? Sometimes dogs feel better when they are in their "safety zone" or a place they can call their own
But in the long run, doesn't it feel good to know someone loves you that much?

Answer 2

yes, just like a human your dog can lose it's appetite because of stress or being in a "depressed" state. Maybe your dog is bored, if that's the case then take at least 30 minutes out of your day (that's not alot and anyone should be able to spare it) and walk him and play with their favorite toy. Taker him to the park when you are able. Boredom is the leading cause of behavioral problems and can also cause health to decline. if you have the means, take your doggy to a day care once or twice a week so he can have play time with other pups, assuming that your little guy is well socialized and knows how to behave around other dogs. Make sure your guy gets as much of your free time as any other friend you care about does! (if he still doesn't eat try putting plain yogurt on his food, it's good for him and they usually really like it)

Answer 3

You should never tempt a dog with diarrhoea to eat. You should let her fast for twenty four hours and allow her to drink as much water as possible, never give her milk. After twenty four hours introduce her to a light diet and feed her about five small meals a day. Cook scrambled eggs in the microwave mixing the eggs with water (omitting milk and butter). Steam fish or chicken, make sure that you get rid of the bones and skin the chicken. Add soggy rice and give it to your dog when slightly warm. Regardless of the fact that she may have been drinking, she could have a high temperature and could have become dehydrated, this will make your dog depressed. You can re hydrate her with electrolytes. You can either get sachets of electrolytes from the vet or make your own. Its 1 litre of cooled boiled water, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Use either a syringe or a bottle with a sports top that has previously contained water, tilt her head down and squirt some of this towards her teeth to prevent choking. Do this about every fifteen minutes. Often vets don’t suggest this, I suspect that they want to add to their income by admitting the dog and putting it on a drip. If after fasting your dog she still has diarrhoe and refuses to eat a very small light meal, take her to the vets.

Answer 4

It all depends on a routine. You see that the dog eats when you're finished playing, petting and all that stuff. He sees it as a routine. He associates with eating as something that follows playtime,etc. and your being there. When left alone leave some toys or the radio on if it helps with the lonliness. He misses you. Maybe you could arrange for someone to walk him or come over to look in on him. Home alone is lonely for anybody. Eat together, I do, with my dog.

Answer 5

Sounds like separation anxiety. You should try feeding him only when you are home. That way he will have he proper nutrition.

My dog had severe separation anxiety. It took a while for her to get over but we did some things that seemed to help.

1. She stays indoors. Much less stress on her.
2. I leave the TV on all day for her. That works wonders. The couple of times I forgot to turn it on she became destructive.
3. You can crate the dog. That tends to keep them calmer. Of course you shouldn't leave them in the crate more than 4 hours at a time though.
4. Pick out your dog's favorite toy. Give him that toy only when you are leaving. Doesn't work for all dogs but it worked for mine. She was so excited to get her toy that she didn't notice our absence as much.
5. Get a Kong toy and fill it with peanut butter (the creamy kind). Freeze it over night and give it to him when you leave. That keeps them busy for hours and is cheap.

Answer 6

IF you work all day...and there is no one home to play with your dog, than yea...your dog is probaly depressed/lonely. Ecspecially if its a labador, or reteiver, or a small breed of dog, or a puppy of any kind. Those types of dogs listed above need attention all day, so IF you work all day, these dogs dont get the attention they need, and well, become lonely. I would suggest that you take your dog to a Doggie-Daycare IF you work all day, that way He/She will have all the attention He/She needs from Professionals and other dogs.

IF you dont work all day, and you give your Dog attention, and is still, "depressed" than you might want to have a Vet look at him/her, becuase 'depression' can be syptoms to numerous doggie illnesses.

Answer 7

could be that. one of my husbands dogs goes and lays in the closet and pines until my husband comes home. why not try feeding your dog before you leave and after you come home, am & pm.
you don't really need to feed him more than twice a day and i usually don't leave food out for our dogs. it attracts ants and such. depending on where you live if it is really hot during the day that maybe why he doesn't eat also. our dogs eat alot less in the very hot california summer months.

Answer 8

A good appetite is very important. If your dog is not eating something could be wrong with him. I would take him to the vet and have him checked out. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 9

Well maybe it takes playing to work up an appetite. I had a dog starve herself to death after her mother died... but she even refused water. I think your dog is just not hungry until you come home.

Answer 10

dogs suffer from seperation anxiety and that may be one of his ways of coping. I would suggest feeding him twice a day following the label on your food bag for how much to feed him. be sure to leave time in the morning to feed him his morning ration and sit with him so he feels comfortable. when you get home feed him his night feeding and sit with him then. this can be a great bonding experience for him. leaving open feeding can lead to greater health issues as he gets older (being overweight, etc.)