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3 Month Old Puppy Not Eating – What to Do? (Complete Guide)

Your little canine friends can be one of the best things that has happened to you so far. However, the younger they are, the more care they require. Sometimes, you may notice a change in their behavior, such as not eating or soiling in a different place. 

If you own a 3 month old pup, and wondering if it is not eating, then you have reached the right door. Today we are here with a detailed discussion complete guide. In this guide we will discuss the reasons behind your 3 month old puppy not eating and what can be done about it. 

So, without a further due, let’s get into it. 

3 month old puppy not eating:

A 3 month old puppy may stop eating for multiple reasons. Puppies are more like babies, they require change in their meals. They get bored of eating the same food when fed for a long duration. Other than this, there can be medical issues, which may cause loss of appetite. 

Not eating properly or eating in less quantity can create long-term health issues. Apart from that, there are also immediate risks that can happen if your dog stops eating. The most common problem a puppy would face is dehydration. 

Puppies are most used to having wet food, and it can be a severe issue if their main food is wet canned food. As they eat wet food, they tend to drink less water.   

Reasons why your 3 month old puppy not eating:

There can be a ton of reasons why your 3 month old puppy is not eating. Here are a few common reasons why your puppy is not eating: 

Picky eater: 

Like humans, dogs can get bored of eating the same food or same type of food. If your little friend is one of those, then there’s a higher chance that they have their own preferences about food. 

Additionally, you would want to consult a veterinarian to ensure that they are healthy even after consuming the only type of food they prefer. Once you have total clearance about their health, you can go ahead and feed them whatever they like. 

If you own a puppy who is a picky eater and hasn’t been eating well lately, then you may try switching the texture of their food. Also, be careful about allergies. 

Anxiety or stress: 

Anxiety and stress could be another reason why your puppy is being fussy about its meal. Just like humans, anxiety can affect the appetite of your puppy too.

A drastic change in their routine or schedule may create anxiety. Although, they do not have things to be worried about, yet the fact that they can be anxious needs to be addressed. 

All younger puppies go through an adjustment period, they can go under anxiety after they are first brought home.

Hotter weather: 

Most humans have a tendency of losing their appetite when they are feeling hotter than usual. Well, the same goes for the puppies. If the outside environment is hotter, and your puppy isn’t feeling comfortable enough, they might skip their meals. 

Teething or pain due to injury: 

In the case of puppies it is very common to act fussy as they are teething. As there is a certain amount of discomfort and soreness present, they feel reluctant while eating. 

Additionally, the pain could also be caused by any sort of injury. Moreover, there can be pain as their bones are still under development. 

You may want to check for any external sources of pain and if found, treat it as soon as possible.      

Upset stomach or digestive disorders: 

Last but not the least, a digestive disorder or an upset stomach. Puppies tend to eat food they aren’t supposed to. At times these may create unwanted situations. 

Having an upset stomach or diarrhea could be another reason behind your puppy skipping its meals. Additionally, they should be fed more properly balanced meals. Moreover, it’s important to bear in mind that different puppies will handle certain foods in a different manner. 

However, such illness is most likely to cause dehydration in your puppy. As soon as you notice visible signs of illness, contact your veterinarian.     

Should I be concerned about my 3 month old puppy not eating?

You should be concerned about your 3 month puppy not eating , if hasn’t been eating for more than 12 hours or so. 

Not eating or drinking:

If your 3 month old is used to having wet dog food as their main meal, then as it stops eating it may gradually become dehydrated. As the food is wet, they tend to drink less. 

And if it’s been almost half of the day and your pup hasn’t been drinking anything, then things are getting worse. 

Not eating will make them weak, whereas there will be visible signs of dehydration. You may notice, sunken eyes, dark yellow urine, panting and lethargy.   

Not eating and vomiting:

Although it is often considered normal when puppies are vomiting. However, if your pup seems to have no appetite for 8-12 hours, it’s time to see your vet.        

In most cases, it can be caused due to emotional issues. Additionally, if your puppy seems to vomit frequently, then consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.     

Not eating as much:

Puppies are a lot like babies, they do not enjoy eating the same food for a long time. In most cases, they are tired of eating the same textured food or same flavored food. 

This can result in your dog not eating enough. Apart from that, they can get digestive issues, which can lead to loss of appetite. Puppies, when striked by intestinal worms or other bacterias, may lose their appetite. And therefore, they may not eat as much.            

Not eating kibble:

If your 3 month old puppy is not eating kibble, then it might be because they are bored of the taste. Try and change the kibble and try again. 

You can also switch their kibbles with wet food, and check if they are eating enough. 

Solutions: 

Here are a few things you can do if your 3 month old puppy is not eating. 

Adding water to your dry food: 

When you are feeding your puppy dry food, there can be reasons why it is not enjoyable. You may simply add some warm water to the kibbles and let it sit for a while. Additionally, you can microwave it to increase the smell which will attract your pup. 

Apart from this, you can also add wet food with their dry food. This is a great way to enhance their interest in their meals additionally, ensure that you are providing your puppy the best quality canned food. Good quality food helps you maintain your dog’s health.     

Changing the feeding technique: 

While you feed your puppy, you can choose to feed them in more interactive ways. You can add their food in a puzzle feeder, this makes their mealtimes fun. 

You can also increase their activities before meal time, like taking them for a walk. This will help in increasing their appetite. Additionally, setting up a schedule may also help. 

Providing teething toys while teething: 

Just like humans, puppies can also feel uncomfortable when it comes to teething. As a result, they may stop eating.

This is when they require extra care. Puppy-safe toys can help them with the situation. You may also try feeding them warm and liquidy food. Try to avoid feeding them any sorts of dry food.

Try not to over treat your puppy:             

Over treating your puppy can be a reason why your puppy is not eating enough. When you provide them more treats, their actual appetite decreases for their own meals. This could be the reason behind your puppy not eating. Therefore, limit the treats for your puppy. 

Additionally, under no circumstances a puppy should go without food for more than 12 hours. Therefore if your puppy goes without not eating for that long , consult a vet.    

How long can 3 month puppy go without eating?

A 3 month puppy needs at least 3 meals a day. Therefore, if it is not eating for 8-12 hours, you may need to consult a vet. 

Therefore, as soon as you notice they are going more than 8 hours without eating,you may need to take necessary measures, as required. And this all starts with seeing a vet. As soon as you can be with someone professional, you get to know why your puppy is acting like that. 

They can diagnose if the problem is emotional or physical. However, it is not recommended to wait more than 8 hours. 

Final thoughts

When your 3 month old puppy is not eating, there must be some valid reasons. Sometimes their emotional issues can be the reason behind their changed behavior. Stress and anxiety may result in loss of appetite. Apart from these, other digestive issues may also cause their loss of appetite.