Dogs are a lot like humans in that sometimes they’re ravenous and other times they’re just not feeling hungry! But if your Cavapoo won’t eat for an extended period of time, you may wonder about the reasons why and if they’re cause for concern.
In this guide, we’re going to look at the top reasons your Cavapoo isn’t eating as much as you’d expect, or for changes in dietary preferences in your dog. Should you suspect there is an underlying medical concern causing your dog’s loss of appetite, please contact your vet for professional advice.
Before reading this guide, “Top Reasons Your Cavapoo Won’t Eat,” check out: How Long Do Cavapoos Live? (2023) and Are Cavapoos Smart? (2023).
Your Cavapoo Won’t Eat: Here’s Why
If your Cavapoo won’t eat, or if his dietary schedule or preferences have changed, it could be one of many reasons. Remember though, if you think your dog is suffering from a medical condition, please seek professional help.
He Doesn’t Like His Food Anymore
Most pet owners take the easy route when it comes to dog food: purchase a 40-pound dog of food and feed it to the pup every day. But have you ever considered that your pup may get bored with his food?
Think of it this way. Imagine that you buy a large bag of Lamb & Rice Formula from Costco. That food will last your dog a month or more! It sounds great — very tasty — but after a while, it could get a bit dull. Would you want to eat lamb and rice every single day for an entire month? No!
Sometimes the quickest and easiest solution to ramping up your pup’s appetite is just switching his food. Dog food manufacturers like Purina, Nature’s Logic, and others do an excellent job of creating many flavorful combinations that are all nutritionally adequate.
Grab a small bag of a different flavor from the store, or as a friend to “borrow” a few cups of food. You may find that your Cavapoo gobbles it right up!
He Ingested a Toxin
Obviously, if your dog has ingested a toxin, he won’t feel like eating. If you suspect this to be the case, call Animal Poison Control immediately, or bring your dog to the vet. Do your best to ascertain what the dog ate and how much, and provide this information to your doctor.
Once you’ve gotten your dog taken care of, understand that he may not want to eat for a while. His belly may still be upset, he may be suffering from general malaise, or he may even be nervous about eating.
Provide him with plenty of water, and leave food out for him to graze. Don’t concern yourself with specific meal times — just allow him to eat when he’s ready.
If you like, you can try to make your pup a meal of “human food.” Scramble some eggs — don’t worry about adding seasoning, just plain is best — and add a little cheese and rice. Your dog’s curiosity may get the best of him, and you might notice his appetite coming back quickly.
Your Cavapoo Won’t Eat After Getting Shots
If your dog was recently vaccinated, she may not be feeling 100 percent. One of the “side effects” following vaccination is a loss of appetite. For instance, the rabies shot may cause mild lethargy, a low-grade fever, and a loss of appetite in your dog. You may also notice that she’s showing a bit of pain or tenderness at the site of the injection.
Other shots may have similar symptoms. If you’re concerned that your dog is behaving strangely, refer to the information on the pamphlet you received at the vet’s office. For further questions, call your vet directly.
Remember, though, that it’s normal for your dog to feel a little unwell, or unlike herself, following a medical exam and vaccinations. Don’t force your dog to eat. Instead, leave food and water readily available for them to access when they want to.
Your Dog Is Experiencing Anxiety or Depression
Dogs have feelings just like us. Among the emotions dogs experience are depression, anxiety, and fear. If your fur baby is feeling any of these emotions, he may not be eating as expected.
Try to determine the source of your Cavapoo’s anguish and act accordingly. If you feel your dog is nervous, separate him from the source of his distress. If you have people over for dinner, for instance, give your dog a bedroom or other space to have to himself.
It’s also possible your Cavapoo won’t eat due to anxiety. Specifically, separation anxiety in dogs can lead to a loss of appetite, but it can also cause other undesirable behaviors. Whining, aggressive behavior, excessive barking, and destructive “play” are a few examples.
Do you feel that your Cavapoo isn’t eating because you’re frequently away from home? Spend a little extra time with him each day, and consider hiring a dog sitter or enrolling your dog in daycare to keep his mind at ease.
Your Dog Has Dental Issues
Crunchy food is tough on dogs’ teeth if they have dental issues. Whether it’s their gums, tongue, or actual teeth that are in poor health, it’s possible your Cavapoo won’t eat simply because it hurts.
Try to switch your dog to soft wet food. If this option won’t work for his digestive system, you can add just a bit of water to his food to soften it before he eats.
In the meantime, reach out to your vet. Dental issues in dogs are no joke, and they may require treatments that range from cleanings under anesthesia to antibiotics or even surgery.
She’s Just Not Hungry
Dogs have no concept of breakfast, lunch, or dinner — so don’t panic if your Cavapoo misses a meal or two. She’ll eat when she gets hungry, and a loss of appetite should only be cause for concern if it’s noticed to be a prolonged event.
Like humans, sometimes dogs just don’t want to eat. Talk to your vet about whether leaving food out all day is best for your particular pet, or whether you should schedule your dog’s mealtimes.
You can certainly try switching foods or offering some human food, but if your dog’s simply not hungry, this isn’t typically necessary. Check that there are no underlying issues (for instance, if your dog is too hot he may not be hungry), and let your dog eat when he’s ready.
How Much Food Should My Cavapoo Eat?
The amount of food your Cavapoo needs depends on his age, size, health, and other factors.
If your Cavapoo is still a puppy, he’ll only need between a half cup and a cup and a half of food each day. This should be spread out throughout the course of the day.
Adult Cavapoos will require between a cup and a quarter to a cup and a half of dog food each day. A senior dog’s needs are less: your dog over seven years old will typically be fine with around one cup of food each day.
Remember that these amounts are based on quality foods. The best foods for Cavapoos have a healthy balance of proteins, grains, and fats that are formulated for both your dog’s age and size.
Should you need help finding quality food, please ask your vet. He or she may even have samples in the office to give or sell to you so you can have a “trial” without committing to an expensive brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about why your Cavapoo won’t eat? Here are some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from We Love Doodles readers.
Not usually, but they can be. Cavapoos aren’t known to be finicky eaters, but they have preferences just like we do! Your pup may or may not like the food you’ve given him. Heck, he may not like the food you’ve given him — just that day. Overall, though, your Cavapoo isn’t likely to be a fussy eater. Find a brand your dog likes and stick with it.
If your Cavapoo won’t eat the way you’re expecting that he should, it’s time to find the cause of his loss of appetite. Look at the reasons we’ve listed above — it may be something as simple as the temperature being too hot!
In some cases, there’s an underlying condition causing a lack of appetite. If you try to switch foods, or to feed your dog “people food” and he still won’t eat, please call a vet to determine the exact reasons why your Cavapoo won’t eat.
Your dog should eat every day, but a dog can survive (not thrive) without food for around five days. This is true for otherwise healthy dogs that have a freshwater supply.
Now, that’s not to say you should wait five days until you call the vet. If you notice that your Cavapoo isn’t eating as you’d expect, call the vet as soon as it becomes apparent. Try feeding her human food like eggs or plain chicken, then if the problem persists please seek medical advice.
When a Cavapoo isn’t eating, it’s usually due to a benign issue. However, in some cases, it could be caused by an underlying health concern that your doggy doc can diagnose and help you treat.
Conclusion for “Top Reasons Your Cavapoo Won’t Eat”
If your Cavapoo doesn’t seem to have the appetite he should, you may begin to get a little concerned. Don’t worry, though — a loss of appetite is usually caused by harmless circumstances. Maybe your pup is too hot or too cold, or maybe he’s just experiencing separation anxiety.
If the problem persists, there are a few tricks you can try to get your dog to eat again. Human food is usually a sure bet, or you can try gradually switching up the flavor of your dog’s kibble.
Should you notice that your dog has gone several days without eating, or that he’s losing weight or otherwise unhealthy, please contact his vet. Together you and the doctor can choose the best course of action to get your dog eating like a champ once more.
If you find this guide, “Top Reasons Your Cavapoo Won’t Eat” helpful, check out:
- Are Cavapoos Hypoallergenic? (2023)
- Do Cavapoos Shed? Expert Advice! (2023)
- Do Cavapoos Get Cold? You’ll Be Surprised! (2023)
Learn more by watching “What To Do When Your Puppy Won’t Eat | Cavapoo Edition” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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