My dog is homesick and won't eat while on vacation. What should I do?

Poor Kronos! Many dogs won't eat if they are very stressed or anxious - this is the most common reason that they may not eat while their owners are away. You can try providing some extra tasty food for your pet sitter or boarding kennel to feed him while you're gone - perhaps canned food if he normally eats dry. If this doesn't help, your vet can prescribe an appetite stimulant or anti-anxiety medication to be given while you're gone - this may be the best option if he goes days without eating, since this can cause serious health problems. Consider working with a veterinary behavioral specialist to gradually desensitize Kronos to your absence. Behavioral modification techniques may [reduce](https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-ways-to-reduce-separation-anxiety-in-dogs/) the severity of his anxiety when you are away.

The best thing to do is bring things that are familiar for him. He toys, beds, and blankets that have his and your scent will help. I would also encourage your friend to try to stick to his normal routine schedule. If may not eat the first day or so, but generally after that they settle in and do just fine. You can also send some baby food or chicken to give as something special to help entice his appetite. If your friend hand feeds him treats it may make him more comfortable also

I'm sorry to hear that Gizmo has developed diarrhea on your vacation. The stress of travel can certainly do that to a dog! As long as he is otherwise normal and an adult dog, it is ok to hold food for 24hrs. Be sure to provide plenty of water for him so that he does not become dehydrated. Resting his GI tract for a period will a lot of times resolve the issue. If he is acting ill a young puppy or that doesn't work, he will need to see a local veterinarian. I hope this helps and you and Gizmo are able to enjoy your vacation!

You could try a calming supplement to help him - a few brands include Zylkene, Composure and Purina’s new Calm probiotic. Jasper might do best with a pet sitter in your home if this is feasible. You also might want to go ahead and have the pet sitter offer canned food or too his foodnwoth some broth to encourage his appetite while you’re gone since appetite tends to be a problem.

To be clear, Royce is at your relative's house right now and he is barking and won't eat? If that is the case, have your relatives distract him with some long exercise-a really long walk, a game of fetch....something to make him tired. Physical activity will usually make most pets want to eat. It will also help to ease his anxiety. If this doesn't help, have them take him to the veterinarian. A medication may help him as well. Not eating for five days may make him vomiting and have low blood sugar so its best to get him to eat. I hope this helps.

I'm sorry to hear Gizmo isn't acting himself! Without seeing him it is very hard to say. It sound like he could be painful and he's acting anxious. I recommend taking him to the vet for a full physical exam. Have them check for pain in his limbs or spine. Have them check for an ear infection or any evidence of fleas. Also have them check his anal glands. These are common areas that pets have problems and show signs of anxiety. I would also question if there have been any loud noises or thunder storms. These things can also cause stress in pets. Please do not give any medications over the counter until you talk to your vet. Good luck and kisses to Gizmo!

I'm glad to hear that Bentley is still playful and acting normally, even though he hasn't been eating and drinking normally. It is possible that both the stress of leaving his sister and your family, as well as moving to a new home may be contributing to his change in appetite. You can try tempting him to eat with a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice for a few days (1.5 cups per day, divided into smaller meals). After a few days, transition to his normal dog food by mixing the two foods together over another 5-7 days. It may also be worth looking into calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Adaptil is one example - https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids/adaptil-adjustable-calming-dog-collar) to try to help Bentley's stress level. If he still refuses to eat in a few days, it is worth a trip to the vet to assure that there aren't bigger medical problems occurring. I hope this helps and that all goes well!