My dog refuses to eat any kind of dog food. What should my next steps be?

Original Question: My dog refuses to eat any kind of dog food. Is there human food that I could give her to replace her dog food? - Shenka

My dog refuses to eat any kind of dog food. What should my next steps be? Dec 22, 2018

Hi Sheneka,

It’s a very good likelihood that there is a food out there for your dog. I cannot recommend any specific food nor human foods for home cooked diets as if it is not done properly, it can lead to other health problems and nutritional imbalances. Is it possible that your dog has had a taste of human food and is now holding out for it again? Dogs, unlike cats, will not develop fatty liver disease from not eating for a few days. If you leave the food out, she will likely eat it but you should check with local stores for samples or your veterinarian. If she has not had a check up recently, it would be wise to do so in case there are medical problems affecting her appetite (dental disease, kidney problems, diabetes to name a few). If looking at trying to home cook for your dog, I would recommend consulting with a veterinary nutritionist who can help formulate a proper diet for cooking  — the University of Tennessee offers such a service for a fee.

I hope this helps.

Dr. Ryan Llera

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My dog refuses to eat any kind of dog food. What should my next steps be?
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My dog refuses to eat any kind of dog food. What should my next steps be?
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It's a very good likelihood that there is a food out there for your dog. I cannot recommend any specific food nor human foods for home cooked diets as if it is not done properly, it can lead to other health problems and nutritional imbalances.
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Healthcare for Pets
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