Why won't my 5-month-old puppy eat? Teething or health concern?

It sounds like something is definitely going on with Sushi. Inappetance can be the first symptom dogs show that tells us they are not feeling well. Also, since his behavior today is not normal for him this could be an indication that something is wrong as well. It is unlikely that teething is the problem because dogs do not usually have any issue with this. If Sushi does not eat for more than 24 hours, or if he begins vomiting and/or having diarrhea, then I would recommend taking him in to be checked out by your vet.

If only Sydney could talk! It could be related to her teething. You may try soaking the kibble in warm water until it is softer. See if she will eat it that way. Its also possible you are feeding her too much. Puppies eat a lot while they are rapidly growing but then the growth slows down and they don't need as many calories (although they are still growing). If soaking the kibble doesn't help or if she begins to show any signs of illness, I recommend to have her examined by the veterinarian and checked for parasites. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It can be frustrating and a little scary when puppies won't eat their food! Things to ask yourself to determine if this is something you should take Max into the veterinarian for: How long has it been since he has eaten a good meal? If it has been over a day, he should likely see a veterinarian -- puppies are usually HUNGRY! How is he acting otherwise? If he is still a bright bouncy puppy - he may just not be hungry - and I would try feeding him again in a few hours. If he is lethargic or vomiting or has diarrhea, he should be seen by your veterinarian soon. Also, take a look at the food you are feeding him - is it a high quality puppy food? I like brands such as Purina (Purina Dog Chow or Purina One, for example), Science Diet, Iams, Royal Canin all make very good food with lots of research behind their foods. Making the dry food moist by adding water and even heating it up a little (make sure it is not too hot that could cause burns!) can make the food smell more appetizing to the dog. It is always a good idea to have a good relationship with a veterinarian, especially during the puppy stage - to make sure he gets his vaccinations when he is supposed to AND to make sure he does not have any intestinal parasites (which can also make him feel bad). I hope this helps and Max is eating again soon! Thank you for using pet coach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Whisky has been feeling under the weather. Inappetence, vomiting and swelling in the neck are unusual in a dog his age; I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to see if there is an underlying issue going on that needs to be addressed beyond teething, as with any young animal, we would want to catch it early to try to prevent it from becoming worse. Good luck!

I would have Moja seen by a vet immediately. It's very concerning when a young puppy won't eat, and it could be caused by a serious illness, such as parvovirus, distemper, intestinal worms, infection, or injury among other causes. It's important to have the cause of his anorexia diagnosed so he can be treated. Please take him into a vet now.

If it's been ongoing a week, I would think about scheduling a vet visit as there may be some minor GI upset or an underlying illness causing the change. If you see obvious signs of illness including lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, refusing all food, etc, then seeking care right away is best.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If a medical issue has been ruled out, you can try highly palatable foods such as lean meats mixed with rice. Otherwise, there are certain brands in the market that are highly palatable such as Purina Pro Plan shredded blends. You can try adding chicken broth to his food. You can try those things but if nothing seems to work, he should be re-evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure that there is not a medical issue going on with him. Good luck and have a great day!