How Long Can A Dog Go Without Food Or Water

(Image credit: Getty Images)

At some point, nearly every canis familiaris possessor has asked themselves "how long can a domestic dog go without eating?" Whether your dog has a finicky appetite or a sensitive stomach, most dogs will miss an occasional meal every now and then. When that ane missed repast turns into two meals, or 3 meals, or even more, withal, it'due south natural to become concerned. Having a good handle on how long your canis familiaris can safely get without eating will brand yous more prepared to handle these situations and reply appropriately.

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How long can dogs go without food and water?

Similar humans, dogs are at higher risk of dehydration than starvation. A typical canis familiaris will bear witness significant signs of dehydration inside just 24 hours without h2o, depending on their wellness and environment. (If a domestic dog is left outdoors on a hot, sunny day, they will dehydrate even more quickly.) When it comes to food, however, virtually dogs can go three to five days without eating before they experience any serious wellness consequences.

These statements are only generalities, though. Your canis familiaris'due south individual health, activity level, and environment play a large role in how long they tin safely get without food or water. For example, minor-breed puppies are ofttimes prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because their trunk'due south regulatory mechanisms are not yet fully developed. In some minor puppies, going just twelve hours without nutrient tin can crusade life-threatening hypoglycemia.

So, while we say that nearly healthy dogs can go a 24-hour interval without water and three to five days without nutrient, it's important to realize that every dog has slightly unlike requirements. Each dog will experience different effects after a menstruum without food or h2o.

Means to go a dog to swallow and potable

In some cases, you lot may exist able to entice your domestic dog to eat or drink by making their food or water more appealing. This tin be especially helpful if your dog'due south lack of appetite is due to stress, just is less likely to help if there's an underlying medical condition at play.

Consider calculation a small amount of craven or beef broth to your dog'south water. Flavored water tin increase your dog'southward interest in drinking.

To make your dog's nutrient gustatory modality better, endeavour adding some flavor to their nutrient. Avoid rich, high-fat items and instead consider adding a small corporeality of boneless, skinless chicken chest to your canis familiaris'southward regular food. You could also consider using a banal canned domestic dog nutrient or infant food to add flavor. The goal is to make your dog'due south nutrient taste ameliorate, in order to entice them to eat.

Dog eating peanut butter off a spoon — (Paradigm credit: Getty Images)

When should I worry near my dog non eating?

If your dog goes more than 24 hours without drinking or 48 hours without eating, it'southward time to be concerned. You should also contact your veterinary if your domestic dog is showing other signs of affliction, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or weakness.

Your veterinarian will ask you lot questions about your domestic dog's medical history, looking to identify possible triggers for your dog's lack of appetite. Next, your veterinarian will perform a thorough concrete exam on your domestic dog, looking for medical conditions that may exist affecting your domestic dog's appetite. If no obvious causes for the inappetence are found on test, your veterinarian volition probable recommend laboratory testing. These tests may include blood tests, urinalysis, ten-rays to rule out possible sources of pain, or other diagnostic tests, depending on your veterinarian's clinical suspicions based on your domestic dog's medical history and physical examination.

If your veterinarian can determine why your dog is not eating, they will recommend appropriate treatment to address the underlying issue. For example, if your dog is not eating due to nausea, your veterinary may administer an anti-nausea injection or send home oral medication. If your domestic dog is non eating due to astringent tooth pain, your veterinarian may recommend a dental cleaning and/or dental extractions.

If no underlying cause for your dog'due south anorexia tin can be plant, your veterinary may prescribe an appetite stimulant to help boost your dog's appetite. Your veterinarian may too work with you to develop a feeding programme that involves palatable (tasty) food that is high in calories and diet.

Causes of a dog non eating

There are many possible reasons why a canis familiaris could stop eating. Many medical weather condition tin cause nausea or a decreased appetite. Think of how you lot feel when yous are very sick with the flu; eating is frequently the terminal thing on our heed when nosotros are very ill! Additionally, there are a multifariousness of medical atmospheric condition that can make eating uncomfortable or unpleasant, leading to a lack of appetite.

Many owners question whether non eating is a sign their canis familiaris is dying. Fortunately, this is rarely the example. There are many treatable weather condition that can cause your dog to avoid eating. This is why information technology's then essential to meet your veterinary if your dog stops eating.

Possible causes of a loss of appetite in dogs include:

Gingivitis
Molar root abscess
Oral trauma
Oral tumors
Neck hurting, which may make information technology difficult for your canis familiaris to bend downwards to their food bowl
Pain or inflammation in the muscles involved in chewing
Pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus
Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach
Enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines
Intestinal blockage
Intestinal cancer
Organ dysfunction, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism
Toxin exposure
Medication side furnishings
Generalized pain
Severe anxiety

There are many potential causes of anorexia in dogs, ranging from balmy to severe. Work with your veterinarian to determine the cause of your dog'due south decreased appetite. Once you have determined the crusade of your canis familiaris'southward anorexia, you lot can piece of work with your veterinary to make up one's mind the best way to treat your dog's condition.

Piece of work with your veterinarian for a personalized approach

When asking "how long tin a canis familiaris go without eating," the only true reply is, "it depends." Most healthy dogs can go three to five days without food safely, only more rapid action is required in young puppies and dogs with underlying medical atmospheric condition. If your dog goes more than 48 hours without eating (or more than than a day without drinking), contact your veterinarian to make up one's mind the next steps for your dog.

Dr. Barnette is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she received both her B.S. in Zoology and her Md of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She has 15 years of clinical experience every bit a pocket-sized animal veterinary, treating dogs, cats, and occasional exotic patients. She now works as a freelance veterinarian author, creating educational content for veterinarians, veterinary squad members, and dedicated pet owners. Dr. Barnette lives in southwest Florida with her hubby and daughter (plus 2 cats, a dog, and a rescued dove!) and enjoys kayaking, biking, and hiking. Learn more most Dr. Barnette at www.linkedin.com/in/catherinebarnette.