How long can a dog go without eating?

Question

My shih tzu hasn't been eating for two days. He just has two to three nibbles and then stops. I've taken him to the vet and my dog turned out to be in good health. I've tried mixing his regular food with a little meat and he still won't eat. I'm really worried about him. I play with him and take him out for walks, all the usual routine but it doesn't work. I'm running out of ideas. Please help!

He's drinking fresh water regularly. Took him to the vet just a few hours ago and all necessary tests were done. Initial results say that he's fine, will know details by tomorrow. Vet says that he's probably a fussy eater.

Answer 1

I have a Tzu also. They are finicky. When my elderly ma in law gives her lots of table food it takes me 2 or 3 days to get her back on dog food. (the dog not the in law -grin) The dog food she eats the best is called Bil Jack. It is in the freezer section at pet stores. Publix has it too. She will sit in front of us while we eat looking pitiful. When the meal is over and she realizes we are NOT going to give her any she goes and eats her dog food. She was so rotten when I first got her she wouldnt eat for almost a week. They will NOT starve themselves to death. Dont worry about that. And by the way, my Tzu hates bacon. She is a steak and chicken girl. Yeah, I do give her a little nibble every now and then. I'm not that tough.

Answer 2

Dogs Question: How Long Can A Dog Go Without Food Before It Will Suffer From Starvation? This would depend on the general health of the dog amongst other ...

Answer 3

Hi!
Sometimes when dogs stop eating they are tired of their food. I had a terrier who stopped eating like that and what I did was to add canned food to her dry food. She loved it. Also, once before I thought of adding canned food to the dry, Lady stopped eating and I switched her food to a different brand and that was the problem. When you do this, don't do it all at once. If you change a dog's food suddenly, it will cause the doggie's stomach to get upset and doggie will have dirreahea. In order to prevent this, just put a few pieces or so in the dish right at first for a few days. Then if doggie doesn't develop dirreahea, add a few more pieces. At the same time that you add the new food, decrease the same amount of old food (for example--you are feeding four cups of dried food--for the first three days or so put in 3 and 3/4 cups of the ususual food and 1/4 cup of the new food. Continue feeding this for say a week. If everything is fine, at the end of one week, decrease the usual food by one fourth cup to 3 and 1/2 cups. Add 1/2 cup of the new food. Continue this for a week. If everything goes fine, decrease the usual food to 2 and 3/4 cups on the third week and increase the new food to 3/4 cup. Continue this for a week. On the fourth week, decrease the usual food to 2 and 1/2 cups and increase the new food to 1 cup. Feed this combination for a week. At the beginning of the next week, decease the usual brand of food to 2 1/4 cups food and increase the new brand of food to 1 1/4. Continue this for a week. The next week, decrease the usual brand of food by 1/4 of a cup and increase the new food by 1/4. You will be eventually feeding 4 cups of the new food which is what you started with). I know that this takes a long time but it is worth it. Your dog will thank you for not getting an upset stomach.

I hope that the results of your dogs' tests turn out fine.

Answer 4

Is your dog drinking? Make sure your dog doesn't become dehydrated!

Sometimes dogs eat less when the weather is very hot.

I wouldn't feed your dog bacon. Will your dog eat any treats?

Did your vet do an X-ray to make sure that there isn't any obstruction in the bowel?

I'd call your vet AGAIN and tell him your concerns. If they don't listen, then find a new vet.

Answer 5

If he is trying to eat, then he is hungry. I would try giving him a different kind of dogfood altogether, and see if he will eat that. It could be that he's just sick and tired of eating the same old thing. If that doesn't work, I would consider him taking to a different vet for a second opinion!

Also, have you noticed if your dog eats grass when you take him outside? That is usually a sign that a dog is feeling sick to it's stomach!

Good luck!

Answer 6

I'd call the vet again and tell him that he still has not eaten anything, especially if this is odd behavior for him. There may be something going on that a simple hands on health check may not detect. A good thing to feed a dog that isn't eating well is boiled chicken, they like it and it's easy on their tummy.

Answer 7

shih tzu's are known for having bite problems. Many times their teeth dont line up correctly. Did your vet check his mouth to make sure he isnt having problems with just chewing and swollowing his food. Second of all is he drinking plenty of water. If he is drinking enough then he will likely be fine. Many of us overfeed our pets but you have to remember their stomach is very small. As long as he is health (like your vet said) and he is drinking I wouldn't worry too much. If he doesnt start showing an interest in his food in the next 2-3 days I would take him to a different vet for a second oppinion.

Answer 8

Try feeding it innards like liver, hearts, lungs, tripe.

Typically, an animal in the wild will eat the soft innards of its kill first, then go after the tough muscle. That's why dogs sniff each other and eat cat feces. They're attracted to the odor of the innards.

By the way, ask any K-9 police dog handler what they give their dog, and they will tell you basic Alpo. All these "fancy foods" do is spoil them, and it's not necessary.

Answer 9

All dogs go thru this phase once in a while..dont worry too much about it..give it a day or two as long as he is active.
If not take him to the vet again.
He might have liver problem..try a liver tonic..Liv 52 is good if u get an equivalent.

Answer 10

Final resort - try a little bacon. If your dog won't eat that, take him to another vet for a second opinion.