Lab Puppy Not Eating? 5 Reasons Why

You just got a new Labrador puppy and are just settling into the new environment. But, you noticed your Lab puppy not eating anything. I’ve got 5 reasons this happens and 5 tips to try to get your Labrador puppy to eat.

You have tried offering a lot of different treats, but nothing seems to work. This can feel very overwhelming. 

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But, there are several reasons why your labrador puppy might not be eating. Sometimes you need to worry. While, at times, it is okay to ignore it and give them some time.

I will try to cover all the possible reasons why your Labrador is not eating.

Why my labrador puppy is not eating?

There can be many possible reasons behind it. Let’s learn what those reasons are.

1. Illness 

If your puppy is showing a lack of physical activity. Then, your puppy might be sick.

Don’t ignore this. If your puppy is in this state for a few days make sure you take them to the vet to get checked out. 

It can be a sign of cancer, kidney failure, liver problem, etc.

2. Stress

Your puppy can be under stress. There might be certain external factors affecting your puppy.

Try keeping their environment light, and if possible play, along with them. This way, they might feel much better and get back to their daily routine.

3. Viruses & Infection

There are many viruses, and one of them is the dreaded parvo. Along with it, some intestinal roundworms can affect the appetite of your puppy.

Vets advise that you should not walk your young puppy outside until they have been vaccinated since puppies are so vulnerable to distemper and parvo.

4. Dental Disease

Maybe your puppy is having some issues with his teeth. It might be a broken or loose tooth, that is making it painful for your puppy to eat. 

If you find something like this, then you need to get a checkup done.

5. Didn’t like the food

Your puppy might not like the taste of the food you are giving them or the food has gone bad. Try changing the food and see if they eat it. 

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Lab not eating but drinking water?

It is another thing that many owners have experienced. Sometimes, a dog doesn’t eat food but is drinking water. So, is it something to worry about?

There is nothing to worry about, his stomach might be upset, and that’s the reason. He is not eating anything except drinking water.

Give him a few days and monitor his symptoms. If symptoms get worse over time, if he stops drinking water, develops a fever, or starts vomiting then you should call your vet and talk about it.

Dog not eating food but eating treats?

It is again a common thing, and it is referred to as partial anorexia. It occurs when a dog is not feeling well.

A dog will eat what is unique to it rather than eating anything else, such as treats, chicken, etc. It can sometimes become an issue but is less dangerous as compared to complete anorexia.

What do you do when your dog won’t eat?

Try these steps and check if your pet is back to its daily routine or not. 

1. Change the food

Maybe your dog isn’t finding the food to be tasty. So, slowly try to change the menu and add something new to it.

And notice what he or she likes to eat. You can use different brands, different proteins, and much more.

2. Limit the treat

If your dog is not eating anything. Then try limiting their treats. This way, they will understand that the food given is the only meal for them.

After that, they might get back to their daily routine.

3. Separation anxiety

All the dogs are not the same, and some dogs have separation anxiety. So, try to be with them while they are eating. It is just a matter of a few minutes.

Then you can leave them, and get back to your work. 

4. Praise them

While you are putting down your food, right in front of their nose, try to praise them. They are sensitive, and maybe praising them can change their mood and start eating back.

5. Hand feeding

Some pets also prefer hand-feeding rather than getting their food in the bowl. So, try to feed your dog with your hand. Make sure to not make this a habit.

These are some of the tips you can use to get your puppy back to normal eating. After trying these tips, if your dog is not eating anything please make sure to talk to your vet immediately to run some tests.

Should I worry if my puppy is not eating?

You do not have to be worried every time your puppy is not eating.

Try to follow all the steps given above. It might go on for 2 or 3 days. If you feel at any point this is a medical issue, please contact your vet immediately. 

But don’t ignore the symptoms. Pay proper attention to the signs and if you find any unusual symptoms, then contact your vet immediately.

How to stop this from happening again?

Is there any way to prevent this from happening again in the future? Yes, there is. You have to take extra care of your pet’s diet. Add food that is good for its health.

Never give them trash or spoiled food. It can eventually lead to an upset stomach.