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When your whippet doesn’t eat a single meal every now and then it’s no big deal. But when you notice they are not eating and it’s been 24-48 hours, it can become concerning.
Why Is My Whippet Not Eating:
If your whippet is starting to get into their senior years and isn’t moving around as much, it’s normal to see them not eating as much. Other situations that make whippets suddenly stop eating are if they’re depressed, overly stressed out, or if they’re in any discomfort or pain.
In this post you’ll discover:
- 9 reasons why whippets stop eating
- When their refusing to eat is something to be concerned about
- 6 tips to help get your whippet eating normally again (Sometimes all that’s needed is tip #3!)
- And much more
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
Top 9 Reasons Why Your Whippet Isn’t Eating
1) Not Moving Around As Much
If your whippet hasn’t been moving around as much lately, it’s perfectly normal to see them not eat as much.
Their body simply isn’t burning off as many calories each day which means they don’t need to refuel as much.
So if your pup recently got injured and isn’t moving around as much or you’ve been busy lately and are taking them on fewer/shorter walks, they may not eat as much.
Just like with people, if your whippet isn’t getting as much exercise as they once were it’s normal to see them eating less.
2) Their Age
Similar to your whippet not moving around as much, if your pup is moving into their senior years you may start to notice them not eating as much.
As your pup gets older, their metabolism starts to slow down and they don’t need as many calories each day.
Not only this, but they’re also more likely to be in general discomfort or have an underlying health condition which affects their appetite.
If your pup is getting older and hasn’t eaten in 24 hours it’s a good idea to have a vet look at them.
3) Big Environment Changes
If there’s been a big change in your whippet’s environment, it can lead to them not eating.
This could be something like a move to a new house, the arrival of a new baby or pet, or even something as small as a change in their daily routine.
Whippets are creatures of habit and like knowing what’s going to happen each day, so when something changes they can become stressed.
This stress can lead to a decrease in appetite as their uneasy feelings can make them not hungry for many hours.
If your whippet has stopped eating and you’ve recently made a big change in their environment, it’s worth trying to recreate some of their old routines to help them feel more comfortable.
Related Reading: Is Separation Anxiety Common In Whippets? The Truth + Tips
4) Depressed
Like people, your whippet can get depressed.
And just like with people, when they’re feeling down they may not have much of an appetite.
Your whippet may become depressed or anxious for many different reasons such as the loss of a family member or pet, prolonged boredom, recovering from an injury or surgery, etc.
In fact, a study done in 2016 found that dogs that lose an animal companion and become depressed eat 35% less as well as 31% slower.
So if you’ve recently gone through a loss in the family, or something else is making your pup feel blue, it could be the reason they’re not eating.
Related Reading: 8 Real Reasons Whippets Look Sad & Depressed + 4 Tips
5) Tooth/Gum Pain
If it hurts your whippet to eat, odds are they’re going to start choosing not to eat if the pain becomes bad enough.
This is because when they eat, their teeth and gums are put under a lot of pressure.
If your whippet is in pain from tooth decay or gum disease, they’ll start to associate eating with that pain and stop doing it altogether.
And unfortunately, gum disease is far more common in dogs than people are aware of.
Roughly 90% of dogs will experience some form of periodontal (gum) disease by the age of 2.
Which means if you haven’t been helping your pup have good oral hygiene, there’s a good chance they have, or will have, some sort of gum disease.
*Important note: If you haven’t been brushing your whippets teeth you should start asap. Many gum diseases can be completely avoided with a good brushing routine.
Related Reading: Are Whippets High Maintenance? (What To Expect + Tips)
6) Being Picky
All dogs are different and some will be more finicky than others when it comes to what they’ll eat.
This is especially true for whippets, as they can be quite particular about the taste and smell of their food.
If your whippet has always been a picky eater, you may start to notice them not eating as much when their food preferences change.
For example, if you’ve been giving them wet food for a while and then switch to dry food, they may not eat as much of the new food since it doesn’t taste or smell the same as the old.
If your whippet is being picky about their food, try switching back to their old food or finding a new food that they’ll like.
There are lots of different brands and flavors of dog food out there, so it may just take some trial and error to find one that your pup enjoys.
7) Vaccinations
Vaccinations can sometimes lead to a decrease in appetite for a few days.
This is because the vaccinations can cause your whippet’s immune system to work overtime, which can make them feel tired and uninterested in food.
If your pup has recently been vaccinated and isn’t eating, it’s probably nothing to worry about and they should be back to their normal selves in a few days.
Of course, if they haven’t eaten in 24 hours or are showing other signs of illness, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and take them to the vet.
8) They’re Unwell
There are a number of different illnesses that can cause whippets to lose their appetite.
Some of the more serious ones include:
- Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasites.
- Kidney disease: This is a serious illness that can cause a whippet to stop eating, drink more water than usual, and have accidents in the house.
- Cancer: Cancer is another serious illness that can lead to a decrease in appetite.
There are also less serious, more common things that could cause your whippet to feel unwell.
Which are allergies, general aches & pains, eating something that isn’t sitting well, etc.
If you’re noticing other behavior outside them not eating that makes you think they might not be feeling well it’s important to take them to the vet.
9) New Medication
If your whippet has started taking a new medication, it’s possible that the medication is causing them to lose their appetite.
Some medications can have side effects that include loss of appetite.
Or their medication is making them feel funny which is throwing off their appetite.
If your whippet is not eating after 24 hours and has recently started taking medication it’s a good idea to speak with your vet.
6 Tips To Help Get Your Whippet Eating Normally Again
1) More Strict Feeding Schedule
If your whippet has been eating on an “as needed” basis, switching them to a more strict feeding schedule can be helpful.
This means setting specific times for meals and not letting them eat outside of those times.
If they don’t eat their meal at the designated time, you don’t want to give in if they ask for treats.
They’ll need to wait until the next mealtime.
While this may sound a little more strict than you’d like to be, it will help them by making sure they’re hungry enough when it comes to meal time.
It helps your pup learn that they need to eat when their food is available and not whenever they feel like it.
2) Hand-Feeding
Another option is to hand-feed your whippet their food.
If your pup is feeling anxious or depressed, hand-feeding can be a good excuse to spend more quality time with your pup.
Not only can it make them more interested in eating because of the attention they’re getting, it can also strengthen your bond with them.
Hand-feeding can help you keep an eye on how much food they’re actually eating and if they’re leaving anything behind.
This way you can make sure they’re getting enough calories.
3) Keep Treats At 10%
You want to make sure that treats are no more than 10% of your whippet’s daily calorie intake.
Treating your whippet should be something you do sparingly and not as a meal replacement.
Giving them too many treats can lead to an unhealthy weight and an unhealthy doggo.
It’s important to find a healthy balance when it comes to treats.
If you find you’re giving them too many treats when they decide not to eat their food, they may learn this behavior gets them more treats.
Which will only make them continue not eating their regular food hoping for more treats.
4) Increase Exercise
Making sure your whippet is getting enough exercise can help increase their appetite.
Exercise helps burn off energy and can make them hungrier when it comes to mealtime.
It’s important not to overdo it though, especially if they’re not used to a lot of exercise.
A good rule of thumb is to start with shorter walks or play sessions and gradually increase the time as they get used to it.
You can also try different types of exercise like swimming, running, or fetch.
This is all assuming that your pup is otherwise healthy, and not eating simply because they aren’t moving around as much and not a health issue.
5) Make Eating Exciting
It’s quite challenging to make eating their food exciting.
But little things like changing up their food bowl, putting it in a different spot or elevating their food bowl can be new and interesting.
It’s not going to be ‘car ride’ or ‘walk’ exciting.
But a little bit of change can create some intrigue which can spark back their interest in eating again.
6) Vet Check Up
If your whippet has recently stopped eating for no known reason, it’s best to take them in for a vet check up.
There can be many reasons as to why they’ve lost their appetite and it’s best to rule out any health concerns.
Other posts you might find interesting:
9 Real Reasons Why Your Whippet Grunts & Groans + 4 Tips
8 Reasons Why Your Whippet Is So Lazy + 4 Helpful Tips
9 Reasons Why Your Whippet Lays On You So Much + 5 Tips
Sources:
Dog Not Eating? Possible Causes and Appetite Solutions
Owners’ Perceptions of Their Animal’s Behavioural Response to the Loss of an Animal Companion