Why is your puppy not eating?

Feeding puppies is usually quite an easy job because they'll eat almost anything you give them! But if your puppy won't eat, it could be a problem. There could be many reasons why your puppy is not eating their food such as dental issues, or holding out for treats instead of regular food.

Missing one meal isn't usually an issue, but puppies shouldn't go more than 12 hours without eating¹. This can cause low blood sugar, especially in small breeds like Pomeranians or Maltese due to their faster metabolism. Every dog is different, but if your puppy has walked past their food bowl for the second time, a trip to the veterinarian might be in order.

So, what are normal feeding habits, and how can you develop healthy eating habits in your puppy?

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Labrador puppy sitting in grass

If your puppy has walked past their food bowl for the second time, a trip to the veterinarian might be in order. What are normal feeding habits and how can you develop healthy eating habits in your puppy?

Your puppy’s feeding habits

Feeding your puppy on a consistent schedule with nutritionally balanced food helps ensure your puppy receives the proper nutrition for healthy growth.

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Neonatal stage –       0 to 4 weeks

Newborn puppies receive complete nutrition to support their growing bodies. Their mother’s milk provides some immune protection. As they grow, their nutrition needs to change with them.

newborn puppy stage
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Weaning stage -        4 to 6 weeks

When your puppy's eyes open, they will begin to explore their surroundings and play with their siblings. Your puppy may also become interested in their mother's foods. During weaning, your puppy can eat wet food or dry food softened with water. Many puppies will eat independently by 8 weeks. The food you give your puppy should be nutritionally
complete puppy food to support their developing immune systems and growing bodies.
Aussie Doodle feeding newborn puppies
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Puppies at 8+ weeks

At eight weeks, your puppy will be eating
independently and is mature enough to leave their mother and head to their new family! Everything will be unfamiliar in your puppy's new environment so their eating habits could become unsettled. You should contact your veterinarian if your puppy is refusing to eat.

During this time, you will likely begin puppy training. Training treats are delicious, and your puppy might prefer them enough to assume they will get more treats if they ignore the food bowl.
However, training treats will not support your puppy's nutritional needs and should be used exclusively during training time (and always taken from your dog’s daily food portion). If you stay consistent, puppies quickly learn when to expect those tasty treats.
Dog with a cat - first meeting

Reasons your puppy may not want to eat

Puppies should eat a meal several times daily. When they ignore food for 12 hours, it's time to see the vet to rule out health issues. If everything checks out, here are some common reasons your puppy may not be eating.

Golden Retriever Puppy Eating

Your puppy may be a picky eater

Some puppies, especially Labradors, are very curious eaters, while others can be pickier. If your puppy isn't eating, ask yourself a few questions:

  • Is your puppy more interested in treats than their regular food?
  • Does your puppy constantly beg for human food or get too many treats?
  • Is your puppy teething?
To help your picky eater develop healthy habits, try changing their food gradually. You can add a bit of water to soften their food when they're young. If you're thinking of switching their food completely, consult your vet first.

Here's a suggested schedule for transitioning to new food over 10 days:

Days 1 - 3: 75% current food, 25% new food
Days 4 - 6: 50% current food, 50% new food
Days 7 - 9: 25% current food, 75% new food
Day 10: 100% new food

Watch out for any signs of stomach issues during the transition. If there are any problems, go back a step and increase the transition time between steps.

During training, only offer treats from your puppy's daily food rations. This helps them understand when to expect treats. Avoid giving them human food, as it can lead to refusal of their own food and potential health issues.

 

Food transition schedule

 

If your puppy is holding out for treats, make sure to only offer them during training. This teaches your puppy when to expect them.

Avoid offering your puppy human food. Puppies might refuse their food, holding out in case that gets them more of your food. Human foods won't meet their nutritional needs and can have ingredients that make them sick, so stick to offering puppy food for meals and training treats during training. Any treats should come out of your puppy’s daily food rations, either way.

two puppies sitting outside in the grass

When to seek medical advice if your puppy is not eating

You should visit your vet straight away if your puppy hasn't eaten in 12 hours or shows signs like: 

  • Diarrhea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Decreased energy 
  • Blood in their stool or vomit  

 

This is also the case if other puppies from the litter are sick. 

 

Additionally, if your puppy has eaten something inappropriate, or shows abnormal behavior like weakness or seizures, especially in small or toy breeds that are prone to hypoglycemia, it's crucial to seek veterinary help. 

 

While puppies may reject food for various reasons, if you're concerned, it's best to have them checked by a vet. 

As you can see, puppies may reject their food for many reasons. It’s not always a big deal. But if you feel like something’s awry, call your vet and have your puppy checked out.

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