My senior dog will not eat. What should I do?

First have a vet check for illness, because kidney, heart and dental problems are more common in older dogs and often show up as a poor appetite. If your dog is otherwise well, warm the food to about body temperature, choose food that is soft and moist, split the day into 3–4 small meals and raise the bowl to about chest height.

How long can a dog go without eating before I should see a vet?

Do not wait more than 24 hours for an adult dog that eats nothing at all. For puppies, senior dogs, very small dogs and dogs with a chronic condition, contact the vet if they have eaten nothing for half a day to a day. Go at once if your dog is also not drinking, is vomiting, has diarrhoea or seems listless.

My dog will not eat its food but still takes treats. Is it just being fussy?

If your dog is bright, active and keeps its weight, it is usually preference or habit: it has learned that something tastier follows. Cut back on treats, feed at set times and remove the bowl after 15–20 minutes. If it also seems unwell or is losing weight, see a vet.

What can I do when my dog will not eat kibble?

Check that the kibble has not been open too long, as it loses aroma once its fats oxidise. Then try moistening it with warm water, adding fresh food as a topper at about a quarter of the daily calories, or switching gradually to a food with more aroma and moisture.

Is an old dog that stops eating near the end of its life?

Not necessarily. Appetite falls for many reasons in older dogs, including dental pain, a weaker sense of smell and illnesses that can be managed. Have your vet examine your dog first rather than assuming it is age.

Can I give human food to a dog that will not eat?

Seasoned human food is not recommended, and onions, garlic, chives, chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts and xylitol are harmful to dogs. If you want something more appealing than kibble, choose a complete and balanced food made for dogs.

My dog is drinking but not eating. Is that all right?

Drinking is a good sign, but it does not make it safe to wait. If an adult dog has eaten nothing for more than 24 hours, or sooner for puppies, senior dogs and dogs with a chronic condition, contact your vet.

Is it normal for a dog to eat less in hot weather?

Many dogs eat a little less in hot, humid weather because they move less. Keep the room cool, feed in the cooler parts of the day and make sure fresh water is always available. A dog that eats nothing or seems listless should see a vet.

Causes, what to try and when to see a vet When Your Dog Will Not Eat

Updated 13 November 2026 · CoCo Gourmet editorial team

When a dog that always finished its bowl suddenly leaves food, or an older dog eats less and less, it is hard to know whether to wait, change the food or go to the vet. This guide sets out how to tell a fussy eater from a dog that is unwell, the signs that mean you should see a vet, the common reasons dogs and senior dogs stop eating, and eight things to try at home.

In short

First check whether your dog refuses everything or only its regular food. A dog that refuses all food, including treats, and seems unwell should see a vet; do not wait more than 24 hours for an adult dog, and contact the vet sooner for puppies, senior dogs and dogs with a chronic condition. If your dog is bright and still takes treats, it is usually a matter of habit or preference: cut back on treats, feed at set times, warm the food to about body temperature and offer food with more aroma and moisture. For older dogs, a weaker sense of smell and weaker teeth are common reasons, so warm, soft, moist food in smaller meals often helps.

01 Unwell or just fussy?
First, work out which kind of "not eating" it is

"Not eating" covers several different situations. Looking at what your dog will and will not take, and how it behaves otherwise, tells you what to do first.

What you see	What it often means	What to do first
Refuses everything, including treats	Your dog may be unwell or in pain	See a vet. Do not wait and see
Leaves regular food but takes treats or human food	Preference or habit: your dog has learned that something tastier follows	Cut back on treats and feed at set times (section 05)
Eats, but less than before	Hot weather, less exercise, ageing, or portions that are too large	Check weight and body condition, then review the amount
Stopped eating after a change of food	Not used to the new smell or texture, or the switch was too quick	Go back a step and switch gradually over 1–2 weeks

If you are not sure which one applies, or your dog seems different from usual, treat it as the first row and ask your vet.

02 When to see a vet
Signs that mean you should see a vet

Loss of appetite is one of the first signs of many illnesses. If any of the following apply, contact your vet before trying anything at home.

No food at all for more than 24 hours. For puppies, senior dogs, very small dogs and dogs with a chronic condition, do not wait that long: contact the vet if they have eaten nothing for half a day to a day.
Not drinking water either. Dehydration can develop quickly.
Vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if it continues or contains blood.
Listless, hiding, trembling, or reluctant to move.
Bad breath, drooling, dropping food or chewing on one side. These can point to pain in the teeth or mouth.
A swollen belly, or pain when the belly is touched.
Losing weight, or eating less and less over a week or more.
May have swallowed a foreign object or something toxic. Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and xylitol are examples.

What to tell the vet

When your dog last ate normally, and how much it has eaten since
Whether it is drinking, and whether urine and stools look normal
Any vomiting or diarrhoea, and how often
Recent changes: new food or treats, medication, vaccination, moving house, a new family member
Current weight, if you can weigh your dog

This page is general information about feeding and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian.

03 6 common reasons
Six common reasons dogs stop eating

Health

Illness or pain in the mouth

Stomach upsets, dental disease, fever and many other conditions reduce appetite. If the signs in section 02 apply, this comes first.

Ageing

Smell, teeth and activity change with age

Older dogs often smell less keenly, find hard food difficult to chew, and need less energy because they move less.

Treats

Too many treats or table scraps

A dog that fills up on treats is not hungry at mealtimes, and one that gets something tastier after refusing will wait for it.

Food

Bored with the food, or it has lost its smell

Kibble that has been open for a long time loses aroma as its fats oxidise. Some dogs also simply prefer more aroma, moisture or a softer texture.

Environment

Stress, heat and changes in routine

Moving house, a new pet or family member, building work, being left alone, or hot and humid weather can all put a dog off its food.

How you feed

A sudden switch, or the way food is served

Changing food overnight, serving it straight from the fridge, a bowl that is too low for an older dog, or leaving food out all day can each reduce interest.

04 When a senior dog stops eating
Senior dogs: what to check first

From around 7 years old, eating less is common, but "it is just age" should not be the first assumption. Kidney, heart and dental problems become more frequent in older dogs and often show up first as a poor appetite, so a senior dog that suddenly eats less should be checked by a vet.

Once illness has been ruled out, the following changes often help an older dog eat more comfortably.

Bring out the smell. Warm the food to about body temperature. A dog whose sense of smell has dulled responds to warm food more readily.
Make it soft and moist. Choose food that is easy to chew and swallow, and break it into smaller pieces. The five CoCo Gourmet main recipes are about 70–75% moisture.
Smaller meals, more often. Split the day into 3–4 small meals so each one is easy to finish.
Raise the bowl. A bowl at about chest height is easier on the neck and legs.
Weigh regularly. Weigh your dog every 1–2 weeks. Steady weight loss is a reason to go back to the vet.

Senior dog food guide (7 years and over) Is an old dog that will not eat near the end of its life? (blog, Chinese)

05 8 things to try
Eight things to try when your dog will not eat

For a dog that is otherwise well. Try them in order, one or two at a time, and keep each change for a few days.

01
Warm the food. Warm it to about body temperature: about 90 seconds per 100 g of thawed fresh food in a 500 W microwave, or stand the pack in hot water. Check that it is not too hot before serving.
02
Feed at set times and take the bowl away. Offer the meal, then remove what is left after 15–20 minutes and offer nothing until the next meal.
03
Cut back on treats. As a general guide keep treats to about 10% of daily calories, and do not hand out a treat right after a refused meal.
04
Break it up, or offer it by hand. Break the food into smaller pieces and offer the ingredient your dog likes best first. Some dogs start eating once the first mouthful is taken.
05
Rotate recipes. Dogs can tire of the same food. CoCo Gourmet has five main recipes, so you can change every few days.
06
Add a topper. Mix fresh food into the usual food, at about a quarter of the daily calories, and reduce the kibble by the same amount.
07
Change the setting. Feed in a quiet place, away from other pets, and try a shallower or raised bowl.
08
Switch food gradually. When you change food, mix old and new and move across over 1–2 weeks rather than overnight.

Do not season the food or add human dishes to tempt your dog. Onions, garlic, chives, chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts and xylitol are harmful to dogs.

How to store, thaw and serve What to do when a dog will not eat kibble (blog, Chinese)

06 Trying fresh food
If you want to try fresh food for a fussy eater

Fresh dog food is cooked meat, fish and vegetables that still look like food. Compared with kibble (10% moisture or less) it has far more moisture, about 70–75% in the five CoCo Gourmet main recipes, and a stronger aroma once warmed, which is why many owners try it when a dog loses interest in dry food. Whether a dog takes to it varies from dog to dog, so start with a small amount.

All five main recipes are vet-supervised and complete and balanced to AAFCO 2016 standards, so they can be fed as the main meal or as a topper.

Situation	Where to start
First time, not sure which flavour	The one-off 4-pack (HK$200): the four-recipe set has one pack each of chicken, pork, fish and venison
Loves meat	Pork & Broccoli (128 kcal per 100 g)
Senior dog	Venison & Beets (104 kcal per 100 g), the recipe we recommend for senior dogs
Gains weight easily	Beef & Sweet Potato (102 kcal), the lowest in calories, or Fish & Pumpkin, the lowest in fat
Eats kibble only with something on top	Use any recipe as a topper, at about a quarter of the daily calories

7-day money-back guarantee on the first subscription box

If your dog will not eat the food at all, contact us through the contact form within 7 days of delivery and we will refund the first box in full. It applies to your first order only (one first delivery per address).

How to try (4-pack and first box) See all recipes About the money-back guarantee

07 FAQs
FAQs about dogs that will not eat

My senior dog will not eat. What should I do?: First have a vet check for illness, because kidney, heart and dental problems are more common in older dogs and often show up as a poor appetite. If your dog is otherwise well, warm the food to about body temperature, choose food that is soft and moist, split the day into 3–4 small meals and raise the bowl to about chest height.
How long can a dog go without eating before I should see a vet?: Do not wait more than 24 hours for an adult dog that eats nothing at all. For puppies, senior dogs, very small dogs and dogs with a chronic condition, contact the vet if they have eaten nothing for half a day to a day. Go at once if your dog is also not drinking, is vomiting, has diarrhoea or seems listless.
My dog will not eat its food but still takes treats. Is it just being fussy?: If your dog is bright, active and keeps its weight, it is usually preference or habit: it has learned that something tastier follows. Cut back on treats, feed at set times and remove the bowl after 15–20 minutes. If it also seems unwell or is losing weight, see a vet.
What can I do when my dog will not eat kibble?: Check that the kibble has not been open too long, as it loses aroma once its fats oxidise. Then try moistening it with warm water, adding fresh food as a topper at about a quarter of the daily calories, or switching gradually to a food with more aroma and moisture.
Is an old dog that stops eating near the end of its life?: Not necessarily. Appetite falls for many reasons in older dogs, including dental pain, a weaker sense of smell and illnesses that can be managed. Have your vet examine your dog first rather than assuming it is age.
Can I give human food to a dog that will not eat?: Seasoned human food is not recommended, and onions, garlic, chives, chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts and xylitol are harmful to dogs. If you want something more appealing than kibble, choose a complete and balanced food made for dogs.
My dog is drinking but not eating. Is that all right?: Drinking is a good sign, but it does not make it safe to wait. If an adult dog has eaten nothing for more than 24 hours, or sooner for puppies, senior dogs and dogs with a chronic condition, contact your vet.
Is it normal for a dog to eat less in hot weather?: Many dogs eat a little less in hot, humid weather because they move less. Keep the room cool, feed in the cooler parts of the day and make sure fresh water is always available. A dog that eats nothing or seems listless should see a vet.
Can I get a refund if my dog will not eat CoCo Gourmet?: The first box of a subscription comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee: if your dog will not eat the food at all, contact us through the contact form within 7 days of delivery for a full refund. It applies to your first order only (one first delivery per address).

About CoCo Gourmet

CoCo Gourmet is fresh dog food from Japan. The five main recipes are vet-supervised, complete and balanced to AAFCO 2016 standards and made in a human-food factory in Japan, then delivered frozen in 100 g packs with free delivery to every district in Hong Kong, normally within 3–5 working days. A one-off 4-pack is HK$200; a 12-pack subscription is HK$330 (54% off, HK$27.5 per pack). If your dog does not like the first box, you can get a full refund within 7 days.

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Causes, what to try and when to see a vet When Your Dog Will Not Eat

01 Unwell or just fussy? First, work out which kind of "not eating" it is

02 When to see a vet Signs that mean you should see a vet