Dog health guide · By the Bully Max team
Most short dips in appetite pass in a day or two. Here’s what causes them, when to call your vet, and what helps a picky dog eat again.
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It can be alarming when your pup isn’t as hungry as usual. Stress or minor illness often causes a short dip, but sometimes it’s more serious, so watch closely.
Signs your dog may not be eating enough:
Call your vet if loss of appetite lasts more than a day or two, or comes with vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss or behavior changes. Have puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions checked sooner. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis.
Healthy but fussy? About 14% of Bully Max buyers say their dog loves the taste, or their picky eater finally eats.
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Owners of picky eaters, verified buyers, word for word.
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The most common culprits, and what to do about each.
Like a cold for us, illness can dull appetite. Watch for:
See any of these? Take your dog to the vet.
New prescriptions, including antibiotics, can upset the stomach. Warming the food or hand feeding may help.
No better in a day or two? Contact your vet.
Sore teeth or gums make chewing hurt, even when you can’t spot a problem.
No better in a day or two? Have your vet check teeth and gums.
A dip in appetite after vaccines isn’t uncommon, and is usually minor and short-lived.
Lasts over a day or two, or other symptoms? Call your vet.
Moves, trips and long car rides can stress dogs or cause motion sickness. Appetite usually returns soon.
Ask your vet before giving any motion-sickness medication.
Some dogs only skip meals when you’re gone. If they eat normally when you’re home, it’s usually fine.
Going days without eating? Contact your vet.
Some dogs are fussy or hold out for table scraps. Unfamiliar dogs or people can put them off food.
Rule out other causes first.
Many dogs prefer certain mealtimes. Try different times and see what works.
New food, or a changed recipe? Check the expiration date, and switch gradually over one to two weeks.
Appetite often dips as dogs slow down and smell and taste dull. Once your vet rules out other causes, more walks can help.
14%of Bully Max buyers say the reason they bought was that their dog loves the taste, or their picky eater finally eats.
*Compared against Eukanuba™ Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food and Royal Canin® Adult Dry Dog Food, which averaged approximately 320 calories per cup based on reviewed formulas at the time of comparison.
A brief dip with no other signs is probably nothing to worry about. If it lasts more than a day or two, or other symptoms appear, call your vet.
For more help with fussy dogs, see our guide on how to get your dog to eat.
Follow your vet’s feeding plan. With your vet’s okay, these can make a meal more appealing:
Once sickness is ruled out, these habits help:
A skipped meal or two is usually nothing to worry about. Call your vet if appetite doesn’t return in a day or two, or other symptoms show up.
For a healthy but picky dog, try a food they get excited about. Bully Max makes meat-based, high-performance dog food, including our high-calorie PRO Series 31/25 for very active dogs. Triple-Tested for Safety and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
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