Won't Eat

Let's talk about the dog who won't eat. First, see your vet, because appetite loss is one of the most common early signs of dental pain, kidney disease, infection, and even cancer. Twenty-four hours of skipping is not a behavior problem.

It is a vet problem. Step one: full physical, bloodwork, and dental exam. Step two: if the vet clears the dog, stop the food-swap cycle.

You have taught the dog that skipping a meal produces filet mignon. Step three: put the bowl down for fifteen minutes. If the dog does not eat, pick it up.

No free-feeding, no topping, no gravy as a bribe. Step four: same time, same place, same bowl every meal. Be the leader, be the alpha — and the alpha decides when mealtime is, not the dog.

Now, the deeper fix: a dog who skips meals is not being dominant. The dog is sick, in pain, or has trained you to swap the food. Vet first, then routine.

Now here's Steve's notes.