Senior Dog Not Eating — What to Do

When Your Senior Dog Stops Eating

Watching your older dog turn away from food is one of the more unsettling experiences of caring for an aging companion. Mealtimes have likely been a highlight of their day for years, so when enthusiasm fades or food goes untouched, it is natural to feel concerned. The good news is that there are many reasons a senior dog might lose their appetite, some simple to address and others that benefit from veterinary guidance.

This guide covers common causes of appetite loss in older dogs and practical strategies you can use at home to encourage eating. It is not intended to replace veterinary care. If your dog has not eaten in more than 24 hours, is also showing other symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhea, or has an underlying health condition, contact your veterinarian.

Common Reasons Senior Dogs Lose Their Appetite

Dental Pain

This is one of the most frequently overlooked causes. Broken teeth, severe tartar, infected gums, and oral tumors can make eating painful. A dog with dental pain might approach the food bowl eagerly, take a bite or two, then walk away, or they might favor soft foods while refusing kibble. A thorough dental exam can identify and often resolve the issue.

Nausea

Many conditions common in senior dogs cause nausea, including kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal inflammation. Nausea in dogs often presents as lip licking, drooling, grass eating, or eating a few bites then stopping. Anti-nausea medications prescribed by your vet can make a significant difference.

Pain and Discomfort

Dogs in pain from arthritis, injury, or other conditions may lose interest in eating. Pain suppresses appetite, and the physical act of walking to the food bowl, bending down, or standing long enough to eat can be uncomfortable. If your senior dog seems stiff, reluctant to move, or is eating less after a physically active day, pain may be involved.

Medication Side Effects

Antibiotics, NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs, and many other medications can reduce appetite as a side effect. Note when the appetite change started in relation to any new medications and discuss this timing with your vet.

Cognitive Decline

Canine cognitive dysfunction, similar to dementia in humans, can cause confusion that affects eating behavior. Dogs with cognitive decline may forget where their food bowl is, become disoriented during meals, or simply lose the drive to eat. This typically develops gradually along with other signs like nighttime restlessness, house soiling, and decreased responsiveness.

Reduced Sense of Smell

Dogs rely heavily on scent to identify food as appealing. As the sense of smell diminishes with age, food that once triggered excited tail wagging may no longer register as interesting. This is one of the more common and easily addressed causes of reduced eating in otherwise healthy seniors.

Home Strategies to Encourage Eating

Warm the Food

This simple technique is often the most effective. Warming food to slightly above room temperature releases aromatic compounds that make it more detectable and appealing to a dog with diminished smell. Microwave wet food for 5-10 seconds and stir well to eliminate hot spots. For kibble, add a splash of warm water or warm broth and let it sit for a few minutes.

Add Food Toppers

Food toppers are the secret weapon for picky senior dogs. A small amount of something flavorful and aromatic sprinkled over regular food can transform an ignored meal into an exciting one. Effective toppers include:

• A tablespoon of warm bone broth poured over kibble
• A sprinkle of freeze-dried meat crumbles
• A spoonful of canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling)
• A drizzle of low-sodium chicken or beef broth
• A small amount of scrambled egg mixed in
• Nutritional yeast sprinkled on top (a flavor most dogs find irresistible)

Try a Different Texture

If your dog has been eating the same format for years, a change in texture can reignite interest. Dogs who refuse kibble may eagerly eat pate-style wet food. Dogs tired of wet food might respond to freeze-dried raw food rehydrated with warm water. Experiment with different textures to find what appeals to your dog right now.

Hand-Feeding

Sometimes the act of hand-feeding is all it takes. The personal attention and the scent of your hand can make food more appealing. Offer small portions from your hand, a few pieces of kibble or a small mound of wet food on your fingers. Some dogs who refuse food from a bowl will readily eat from a loved one's hand.

Hand-feeding also serves a diagnostic purpose. If your dog eats from your hand but not from the bowl, the issue may be related to the bowl location, height, or the physical act of bending down rather than the food itself.

Adjust the Feeding Environment

Consider whether anything about the feeding setup might be discouraging your dog from eating:

• Bowl height: A raised feeder reduces the need to bend down, which helps dogs with neck or back pain.
• Location: Move the bowl to a quiet area away from household traffic and noise.
• Other pets: Feed your senior separately if other pets create competition or stress at mealtime.
• Bowl material: Some dogs develop aversions to certain bowl materials. If your dog has a metal bowl, try ceramic, or vice versa.
• Non-slip surface: Place a mat under the bowl so it does not slide, which can frustrate dogs with limited mobility.

Offer Smaller, More Frequent Meals

A senior dog who will not eat a full portion at once may eat small amounts throughout the day. Try offering food four to five times daily in smaller quantities. This can be easier on the digestive system and less overwhelming for a dog with a reduced appetite.

Make Food a Social Event

Some dogs eat better with company. Sit with your dog during meals, offer encouragement in a calm tone, and make mealtime a quiet bonding moment. Avoid hovering anxiously, as dogs can pick up on your stress. Simply being present and relaxed can help.

When to Involve Your Veterinarian

While home strategies can help in many situations, there are clear signals that veterinary attention is needed:

• Your dog has not eaten anything in 24 hours or more
• Appetite loss is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy
• Your dog is losing weight despite your efforts
• Eating causes visible pain or your dog cries while eating
• The appetite change coincides with a new medication
• Your dog is drinking significantly more or less water than usual

Veterinary Appetite Stimulants

If home strategies are insufficient, your vet may prescribe appetite-stimulating medication. The two most commonly used options are mirtazapine, an antidepressant with a well-established appetite-stimulating effect, and capromorelin (marketed as Entyce), which is the first FDA-approved appetite stimulant specifically for dogs. Both can be very effective when used under veterinary guidance.

Anti-Nausea Medication

If nausea is suppressing your dog's appetite, medications like maropitant (Cerenia) or ondansetron can provide significant relief. Once nausea is controlled, appetite often returns naturally.

Creating a Sustainable Approach

Appetite changes in senior dogs can fluctuate. A dog might eat well for a week, then have a few days of reduced interest, then bounce back. Track what your dog eats daily so you can identify patterns and share accurate information with your vet. Note which foods, toppers, and strategies seem most effective, and keep those options on hand.

Above all, try to keep mealtime low-pressure and positive. Anxiety about eating, either yours or your dog's, can create a negative cycle that makes the problem worse. Offer the food, give it 15-20 minutes, and if your dog does not eat, calmly remove it and try again later. Patience, creativity, and a willingness to adapt are your best tools in helping your senior dog maintain adequate nutrition during this chapter of their life.