Why won't my dog eat or drink water? What should I do about it?

An adult dog that has no other medical conditions can usually go for 12-24 hours without eating as long as he is still drinking water and is alert. He may just have a bit of an [upset stomach](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-treat-your-dogs-upset-stomach) from something he ate (that he wasn't supposed to) or he could have a touch of gastrointestinal infection. Continue to monitor him. If his symptoms worsen - he stops drinking, becomes lethargic, develops a fever, or begins [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/article/vomiting-in-dogs) or has [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/article/diarrhea-in-dogs), then you should [contact your veterinarian](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-handle-a-pet-emergency/).

If these are the only symptoms I would monitor him a bit longer. Sometimes dogs can have some mild stomach upset that quickly resolves without treatment. If he does not eat in the next 24 hours, if he vomits or develops diarrhea, or if he seems very weak or lethargic then I would contact your vet.

If he is behaving normally otherwise, continue feeding a bland diet for a few days. He may just have some minor stomach upset. Afterwards, transition slowly to the regular diet. Monitor for extreme lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or abdominal pain. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

A dog may stop eating for a wide variety of reasons, some of which are due to medical conditions and others that may be more behavioral. Medical problems such as gastrointestinal viruses, intestinal obstructions, parasites, or kidney disease, among other conditions, can lead to this problem. Other dogs may become disinterested in their food and may prefer a different flavor of food, or the taste of the food may have changed due to the container in which it is stored. If your dog is still active and playful, you can try to tempt them to eat with a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice for a few days before gradually transitioning back to either their original diet or to a new food. (Any time you change diets, be sure to do so gradually by mixing the old and new foods together over 5-7 days.) If this is unsuccessful or if your dog is lethargic, vomiting, or having diarrhea, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. The veterinarian will be able to perform a physical exam as well as any necessary diagnostic tests to try to get to the bottom of this issue so that proper treatment can be started.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Buddy. I am sorry to hear that he is not eating or drinking. You will need to schedule an appointment with his veterinarian, ideally today. If he is not eating and drinking, there is a reason. Furthermore, it is easy for him to become dehydrated. He could be experiencing pain somewhere such as his neck, back or joints. He could have inflammation in his gastrointestinal tract or be experiencing a systemic disease that is making refuse his food. His veterinarian will gain information based on his physical exam as to what his problem may be. From there either medications will be prescribed or he will require further testing. In the meantime, try to encourage him to take in some water. Some dogs will even take ice cubes. I hope this information helps!

Lack of eating and drinking are often the first sign that something is amiss. Unfortunately, they are very non-specific signs of illness. I would recommend Honey be evaluated by a veterinarian ASAP if she is not eating or drinking.

Inappetence can be a sign of something quite serious especially if it is accompanied by lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea. If it has been more than 48 hours since Digby ate, a trip to the veterinarian tomorrow morning is warranted. Good luck! I hope Digby is feeling better soon.