Chihuahua does not eat - reasons and what to do

The Chihuahua's strength can be a real challenge for some new dog breeders. If you notice that your Chihuahua has stopped eating or is suddenly avoiding his usual food, this is a cause for concern. There are many reasons that can cause loss of appetite: from a simple craving to health problems. To find out, we will need to analyze the remaining clues or signs that the dog gives us. Thus, depending on the cause found, we can find the fastest and most suitable solution.

In this article, we will explain why your Chihuahua won't eat, detail the various reasons for this behavior, and some solutions. However, remember that it is always recommended to visit a veterinarian to confirm good health if the situation persists over time.

Why does a Chihuahua have no appetite?

To find an effective solution, we must first find out why our dog has stopped showing appetite. Usually the problem is not that the Chihuahua is not eating, but that what he is not eating is his food. This is important to find out if what is happening to the dog is that he is using learned behavior to get a more palatable food, or if there is something more serious going on.

To distinguish an organic problem from a fad, we must carefully observe its behavior. If a dog asks for human food but doesn't want it, this is a clear sign that it is a craving and not a health problem. When dogs are unwell, they typically are not hungry and will not accept almost any food. If your Chihuahua is a “picky eater,” he will show a great impulse toward tasty food.

On the contrary, when a Chihuahua is unwell due to illness, we tend to see various symptoms indicating that something is wrong. If your Chihuahua is sad, has symptoms of illness such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea, and does not want to eat its kibble or other food, it is likely that it is sick. That is, you need to visit a veterinarian as soon as possible to find out the cause and start effective treatment as soon as possible, the best prognosis will depend on this.

We will look at ways to identify the cause of loss of appetite in a Chihuahua dog.:

If your Chihuahua shows no interest in dry food but does show interest in human food, the reason is undoubtedly a learned behavior.
If your little friend hasn't eaten all day and is sad, it's probably because he's sick.
Also check other causes that may cause poor appetite to see if they match what may be happening.

Chihuahua doesn't eat

Traveling alone is quite boring - hardly anyone will argue with that. However, many people are skeptical about the idea of choosing a dog as a companion: they say it’s a troublesome matter, and it’s unlikely that the animal can truly share your enjoyment of beautiful views. But this is only at first glance…

In fact, a four-legged friend is perhaps the best companion for a person going on an active holiday. Judge for yourself! If you happen to spend the night at a camp site, in a modest motel or even in a tent, the dog will never complain that you dragged it into some hole without basic amenities, while it was born only for five-star apartments.

During long walks over rough terrain, the dog will never interrupt your contemplation of the surrounding nature with complaints that it is thirsty, hungry and generally unable to take another step.

Finally, after many months of routine communication at work, and even at home, you can finally have a heart-to-heart talk! And no one will call you crazy if you tell your dog in detail about all the problems and share with him the philosophical systems that have matured in your spare time - on the contrary! You will find the most grateful listener in the world, who, without taking his eyes off you and diligently moving his ears so as not to miss a sound, will listen to your every word. Agree, this is worth a little effort before leaving! But in fact, there is a lot of trouble ahead.

A mustache and a tail are not enough!

The most difficult thing about traveling with a dog is, of course, collecting the necessary documents. True, if you are going on a trip to Russia, then you need a few of them: a veterinary passport and veterinary certificate No. 1. The latter must be obtained 3 days before departure at any state veterinary clinic. Check all the details in a particular institution in advance: in some places the coveted certificate is issued only on the basis of a veterinary passport with notes on all scheduled vaccinations, in others they will ask you to bring the dog for examination.

If you go abroad, everything is much more complicated. In addition to veterinary certificate No. 1, you need an international veterinary passport with data about you and your dog in English. Pay special attention to vaccinations - they must be done with vaccines that meet international standards, and no earlier than 30 days before departure. The passport must also contain the dates of treatment against endo- and ectoparasites - fleas and worms. Some countries also require additional vaccinations against certain diseases to enter.

To cross the borders of Ireland, Sweden and some other countries, you may also need results for the presence of rabies antibodies. The problem is that such an analysis is performed only in one clinic accredited by the EEC, and it is located in Moscow. So if you are not a metropolitan resident, then you should take care of this issue in advance. If the antibodies are less than 0.5 IU/ml, the dog will have to be re-vaccinated and tested again after 3 months. If everything is in order, then you can continue traveling as much as you like - the test has no statute of limitations. Of course, provided that you vaccinate your dog against rabies as required - every year.

When entering European countries, it is also mandatory for animals to have a microchip. There are no difficulties here: this simple procedure can be quickly carried out in any veterinary clinic. Just make sure that the microchipping mark is included in the veterinary passport.

Now all that remains is to obtain an export license. And again, this can only be done in Moscow by contacting the RKF. If the dog has a pedigree documented in accordance with all the rules, then you will not have to present the animal.

What will we go on?

The degree of your “headache” directly depends on the method of movement. The most gentle option is a car. Here you are on your own “territory” and can transport a dog of any size for free and without special rules. But, of course, you should take care of the safety of your friend. The best option is to install a carrier cage in the car. If your dog is used to sitting on sofas, then at least fasten it with a special car harness to the seat belt.

When planning to reach your favorite protected area by plane, you need to thoroughly learn the rules for transporting animals in a particular airline. These rules may vary, and quite significantly. Some airlines do not allow more than two dogs on board, so book your tickets as early as possible to avoid another lucky dog taking your friend's seat. For flights, all dogs require a transport box, which we usually call a carrier, a collar, a leash and a muzzle (even for a Chihuahua). There are different requirements for the size of the carrier, so you need to find out and follow them exactly, without hoping that the two extra centimeters will somehow be forgiven. The box must have a waterproof bottom, on which a waterproof diaper must be laid.

As a rule, all airlines allow dogs weighing less than 8 kg to fly in the cabin. But be sure to weigh your pet and its carrier before leaving. You don’t want your baby to be unexpectedly sent to the luggage compartment, where everyone who “overweight” 8 kg is doomed to travel. After all, the dog is prepared for such a test in advance by giving it a sedative or sleeping pill.

With railways it’s easier. In Russia, large dogs are transported by purchasing all the seats in the compartment - this is what is written in the rules. Small animals can be carried in a carrier in hand baggage areas. In Europe, everything depends on the country. For example, in Sweden, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia and Yugoslavia, dogs are not allowed on railway transport at all, and in Finland you will also be required to buy all the seats in the compartment.

Tourist minimum

Here's another advantage of traveling with a dog - it won't force you to drag its heavy suitcase with “only the essentials”! But you still have to take something for a friend. First of all, it's a bowl. The folding travel option is very convenient, but if you are traveling by car, you can also take your usual utensils. When traveling with a dog, you must always have a supply of clean water and, of course, dry food - best of all, what the dog eats at home. Camp cooking: fish soup on a fire, shish kebab on coals and potatoes in ashes - let it please only you, as, in fact, do exotic overseas delicacies. You don't want to come home with a sick dog, do you? Therefore, only familiar food! Of course, if your dog, due to its size, eats in bowls, then you can only take away a large supply of food by car. However, take enough to last until you buy the same or similar product at your destination.

Don't forget to add to your camping first aid kit several necessary veterinary medications, antiseptic, lotion for ears and eyes, etc., as well as dressings and wet wipes. If you are going to spend the night outdoors, take care of bedding for your friend.

And the dog doesn’t need anything else, and you can safely go out and see the world. And rest assured: your four-legged companion will gladly and gratefully share with you the joy of discovery at absolutely any point. Because for a dog, the whole world is you!

Chihuahua does not want to eat, drink and is sad

As we indicated in the previous section, various symptoms can alert us and indicate that the Chihuahua is unwell and therefore its appetite is reduced. Therefore, before taking any steps, you need to make sure that the dog is healthy.

But when should we worry? If your Chihuahua has always been a good eater and suddenly stops showing appetite, or it declines and loses desire, we should start to become concerned, as loss of appetite is one of the first signs of illness in dogs.

You should go to the vet if your Chihuahua is not eating or drinking and is showing any of the following signs:

Lack of appetite
Doesn't drink water
Weight loss
Lethargy
Heat
Excessive sleep
Tremor
Vomit
Diarrhea
Depression

A dog exhibiting these symptoms is most likely sick. Most often this is gastritis, gastroenteritis, the presence of internal and/or external parasites or infections. Likewise, there are many other reasons. The main thing is to visit a veterinarian to find out why your Chihuahua is not eating and is sad.

Another aspect that can also occur is pain or discomfort in the mouth. Chihuahuas are prone to tartar and mouth problems, so this discomfort may cause your little one to stop eating. Check for sores, bad teeth, swelling, objects between teeth, or any other strange features in the mouth that may cause pain.

If you are convinced that your small dog has one or more of the symptoms described, or you are not sure where his lack of appetite and sadness are coming from, we recommend that you visit your veterinarian to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

What to do if your Chihuahua won't eat anything

Have you ever wondered why a Chihuahua puppy has a poor appetite, or maybe he doesn’t eat anything at all? We have repeatedly associated the lack of appetite in Chihuahuas with worms, but today let's look at the most common problems and causes of poor appetite in Chihuahuas.

Firstly, if you just got a puppy, it needs time to get comfortable. The dog is stressed and is not yet used to the new place, much less the owners. Pet the dog, play with it, feed it something tasty. Even a simple conversation with your puppy will help you and him get used to each other. It is very important that your pet gets used to it and stops feeling stressed.

If an adult Chihuahua is not eating, check the coat and skin thoroughly. Make sure there are no ticks. Often, when walking a dog, owners do not check their pet for ticks at all, which subsequently leads to very serious problems and illnesses. Ticks are contagious and willingly drink blood from a Chihuahua , and in return they release toxins, poisoning the body of a young puppy. This situation can be considered as a cause of poor appetite.

It is also worth adding that another reason for the lack of appetite may also be associated with a new food that the Chihuahua is not yet accustomed to. We talked about how to choose the right food for a Chihuahua in a separate article. We recommend using the search on our website.

If there is an urgent need to replace the old food with a new one, for example, this may be due to a Chihuahua or a fundamental change in diet due to food allergies (that’s why the diet changes), then we recommend trying to do this: give the new food to the Chihuahua at mixed with the old. In the future, gradually increase the amount of new food in the old. This will help you get used to it quickly

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Chihuahua doesn't want to eat, but he wants other food

The most common is that this tiny breed suddenly decides to stop eating because it is fed up with the daily feeding and is trying to get something more appetizing through one of its best means: blackmail. He knows that if he doesn't eat his dry food, you will offer him another food, just like that wonderful day when you changed the food to another, more tasty type of food, such as wet food, pate, sausages, boiled ham or chicken.

This is a serious mistake, as we will enter a loop of fights in which the smart Chihuahua knows very well how to use his weapons to get a tasty meal. Therefore, it is important to train our dog and teach him what kind of food it is and at what time he eats.

How to get a Chihuahua to eat?

If we have visited the veterinarian to rule out possible pathology, most likely we are dealing with learned behavior. We offer you some tips for retraining your Chihuahua:

You can try adding chicken broth (no onions or salt), wet dog food, or small pieces of homemade food to his food to encourage him to eat the kibble. Reduce the dose with each dose until he is eating only the food, without the appetizer component.

This solution may not be effective because the Chihuahua may decide to only eat pieces of food or lick what it likes. If this first method doesn't work, start establishing specific feeding rules and agree with all family members to do the same:

Offer him his bowl with the usual amount of food for about 15 minutes at each feeding. If the dog doesn't eat, remove the food.
After this first step, do not give him food from our hands, accompany him with some human food that he likes, or insist that he eat.
Completely ignore your Chihuahua's alarm calls the next time and throughout the day. This is the most difficult step. Therefore, it is very important that you do not get carried away and that all members of the house stand firm by not giving him more food, otherwise you will not get anything.
If the Chihuahua can go a whole day without food, we will give him some of the food he likes to keep his sugar levels going, as such small dogs shouldn't go more than a day without food. It is important that the dog remains hungry, because without hunger he will never go to eat and will always be holding out for us to take this step.
Exercise can also help motivate your dog and increase his appetite. Therefore, maintain an active daily routine with a set walking and eating schedule.
Repeat the process as many times as necessary until the dog understands and gets used to it.
Finally, remember that sometimes it is recommended to change the diet to motivate the dog and enrich his diet, so from time to time, for example once a week, we may offer wet or homemade food.

What to do if the dog doesn't eat?

“What to do if the dog doesn’t eat?”

- is one of the most frequently asked questions by dog owners.
Deterioration or complete loss of appetite can be caused by a variety of health problems, including simple indigestion. Causes of loss of appetite in dogs
can be psychological and physiological problems.

Psychological problems

Anxiety

- This problem occurs most often. Because of it, dogs often refuse food. A dog's anxiety can be caused by a number of reasons, the most common of which is separation from the owner during his temporary departure, for example. Some dogs become anxious when they hear loud volleys (thunderstorms, fireworks, etc.). That's why you shouldn't sound the alarm if after you and your dog are caught in a thunderstorm, she refuses to eat. This state of the animal will soon return to normal!

Depression

– another common reason why an animal may refuse to eat. During depression, a dog feels depressed and depressed. Depression can be caused by many factors. Very often, dogs fall into this state when they change their place of residence, or when they are separated from their owner or another family member. The cause may also be a chemical imbalance in the animal's body. If your dog is depressed for a long period of time, you should definitely consult a veterinarian.

Sexual activity

- this, oddly enough, can also be a reason, but more precisely, this reason may not be activity, but just the opposite, passivity! If a dog, a male, has not realized its natural instinct to reproduce for a long time, then its life rhythm may be disrupted. In particular, he may be less active, refuse walks and games, and completely or partially refuse to eat. How p

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Other reasons

There are other possible reasons that explain why a Chihuahua stopped eating, without any whim or illness. Here are other reasons to consider:

Poor quality food or bad food : This can cause the dog to refuse food and develop health problems and lack of nutrients, vitamins or proteins. Chihuahuas should eat special food for small breed dogs. Take care of his diet and check the composition of the food you offer him to ensure that it is adequate and of good quality.
Boredom or lack of interest : It is also possible that your exquisite Chihuahua is not motivated by the food you are giving him, simply because, as is the case with humans, he does not like it. Try to gradually introduce new quality food to see if this is the problem.
Diet changes : Diet changes can cause your Chihuahua to not accept the new food and can even cause digestive problems. For this reason, you need to change the feeding of your Chihuahua gradually, mixing the old food with the new, until finally you only have the new one.
Change in daily routine : Any change in daily routine can cause stress or mood swings that affect the desire to eat, such as moving or losing a loved one.
Overfeeding : Remember that mini breed dogs eat what is appropriate for their weight. Although this amount may seem small to you, you should not offer more than what your veterinarian or manufacturer recommends, as you will be overfeeding him with all the attendant consequences such as overweight and obesity. Count the grams and normalize the dose to at least two servings per day. If you have any doubts about the dosage, you can consult your veterinarian or check the nutrition chart found in most food containers, which tells you the number of grams we should offer your dog based on his weight, age and activity level.
Lack of exercise : A lack of calories and energy burning can cause your dog not to eat. Take a walk before meals and motivate him with games to increase his appetite.

Author of the article: Noelia Manjon . Philologist, translator and writer specializing in animal life and the environment. I have always had a curiosity and fascination with these sciences, and I enjoy being involved in the care, protection and conservation of animals in particular and the planet in general. Now, at woofy.dog, I have the opportunity to combine my passion for communication and nature while I spread and raise public awareness about the importance of caring for our only planet and the species that inhabit it.