My older dog is eating less and losing weight. What should I do?

I would definitely recommend some blood work, if this hasn't been done recently. Older dogs are prone to a number of health issues that can cause decreased appetite along with being less active - chronic kidney disease and hypothyroidism are two possibilities that are both very common. In many cases, these issues are treatable (at least to some extent) once a diagnosis is made, so it's well worth checking for them if you can - hopefully, there are some things you can do to make him feel better for as long as possible, even though he's getting older.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Unfortunately, cancer is not uncommon in older dogs and can cause weight loss. Weight loss can also be caused by conditions such as IBD, diabetes, or be a normal part of the aging process. I recommend having Milo seen by a vet for blood work and x-rays to check if he has any masses and make sure his organs are functioning normally. I hope all is well with Milo!

In an older cat, my first thought would be dental disease. This would be painful for Krinkle, cause him to eat less, and subsequent weight loss. It could also be that he has diabetes, kidney failure, or hyperthyroidism. Having him seen by a vet this week is a good idea. I hope this helps!

Maggie needs to be examined by the veterinarian. Weight loss generally indicates a disease process and that could be many things ranging from a heavy parasite burden to cancer. At nine years old Maggie is considered a senior citizen so disease processes become more likely. Take in a sample of the feces for testing and she will likely need some bloodwork as well. Many diseases have better responses, and an easier treatment if they are caught early so time is important. Have her examined within the next 24 hours. Best of luck.

Oh no. Poor guy. When you are dealing with a pet like Stitches with non-specific symptoms such as not wanting to eat or drink, the best thing to do is to get him examined by your vet and get him checked out. He could have a number of things going on internally that have to be evaluated via bloodwork so that we can identify the problem quickly and know what specific treatment he needs to feel better. I would recommend taking him in to your vet right away for testing and treatment. I do hope that your pet Stitches is able to make a full and speedy recovery soon! Best wishes and take care.

You need to take Tiber to the vet in order to have him checked and probably have a blood test done as well. 11 years of age is not yet very old for a Shi Tzu and there is a fair chance that the vet will be able to treat him.

I'm concerned that Shin is sick and that he could have something serious going on like diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease, heart disease, or cancer causing him to not eat, lose weight, and vomit. He sounds extremely sick and he needs to see a vet immediately. I'd take him into one now for a geriatric blood panel and urinalysis. Please take him into a vet now. Best of luck.