My dog isn't eating but is drinking water and alert. Should I worry?

If his only symptom is inappetence, I would keep an eye on him and not offer food for 24 hours. He can have water. That way, if something has upset his stomach, it will have time to rest and recover. If he has any other symptoms, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, fever, get him in to be seen by a vet right away as this may be signs or a more serious problem.

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.

It could just be an off day for Kira, and she may have an upset stomach. Given that she is eating a little bit and still drinking water, I'd keep an eye on her for now. If she stops eating altogether, she keeps eating very little for the next 24 hours, she stops drinking water, she becomes lethargic, or she develops other signs such as vomiting and diarrhea, I would take her into the vet. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

It sounds as Phantom is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking him to the vet the first chance you get, he will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection he will need an anti nausea injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better.

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.

He may be [too hot](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-signs-your-dog-is-overheating), especially if it is hot outside (or inside). If so, he should be treated immediately. Move him to a cooler area. Moisten his paws and ears with cool water. Check his[ gum color](https://www.petcoach.co/article/capillary-refill-time-crt-in-dogs-cats). It should be bubble gum pink and moist. If his gums are pale or blue, seek veterinary attention immediately as this may indicate bleeding or a lack of oxygen. If his gums are sticky or dry, seek veterinary attention. He may be dehydrated. [Pain](https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-5-signs-your-pet-is-in-pain) could be the cause of the symptoms you have described. Check him over for any obvious wounds or injuries. If the symptoms continue or worsen, he should be physically examined by your [veterinarian](https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-10-warning-signs-that-require-a-veterinary-visit/) or at the nearest veterinary ER.