My dog won't eat his food anymore
My 3-year-old Golden Retriever has suddenly stopped eating his kibble. He'll eat treats but turns his nose up at his regular food. This started 2 days ago. He's still drinking water and playing normally. Should I take him to the vet or wait it out?
1 Answer(s)
Don't panic yet, but don't wait too long either. A dog that stops eating for more than 24-48 hours needs a vet visit. Since it's been 2 days, I'd call your vet today and at least get their advice over the phone.
That said, there are some common non-emergency reasons this happens. First, check if the kibble bag is still fresh. Kibble can go rancid, especially if the bag was left open or stored in a warm place. Dogs have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell and will refuse food that's even slightly off.
Try mixing in some warm water or low-sodium chicken broth to make the kibble more appealing. You can also try heating the food slightly (not too hot) to release more aroma.
Other possibilities: he might have a sore tooth, mild stomach upset, or he's just being a picky eater. If he's still active, drinking water, and not vomiting or having diarrhea, it's probably not urgent. But if he goes a full 48 hours without eating anything at all (including treats), that's when it becomes a real concern. Call your vet now to be safe.