My dog is suddenly skinny and won't eat or drink. What's wrong?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog isnt eating or drinking at all and is super skinny. She just got skinny over night and i dont know what is going on with her. Do you think you could help me to figure out the problem?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 17th, 2018
Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Dogs that are not eating and drinking and look very thin and suddenly very thin are very sick. The biggest concern would be a 'foreign body'- a sock/underwear/toy that is stuck in the gut, preventing any food from being taken in and absorbed. Other concerns would be severe gastritis, a high worm burden (parasite infection), cancer in the gut, lack of enzyme production in the pancrease, and some other causes. I recommend getting your girl to a vet right away however, as it sounds like she is very sick. Best of luck with her!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 11th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I am sorry to hear that she is not feeling well. I would recommend offering her plenty of canned food options and cooking homemade meals with chicken, salmon, tuna or beef to see if she will eat. Depending on the problem, the decreased appetite could be due to pain, nausea or lack of appetite due to disease. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. If she is dying, then palliative care worth anti nausea and pain medications may help the appetite temporarily. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on January 29th, 2017
So sorry that she is sick. Without actually knowing the cause it is hard to recommend a treatment. At her age, she could have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, cancer, etc. The only way to know the cause is to have a vet do a workup with blood-work and x-rays. If you can't take her to a vet than try to feed different types of foods and see if you can get her to eat. You could add some boiled chicken to her food and see if she would eat that. Your vet may also be able to do minimal treatment with fluids and an appetitie stimulant without running any testing. Hope she feels better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on October 19th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Oreo! Fast food is very heacvy in fat and a lot of fat can upset the pancreas and the intestinal tract. If they are nauseous or feel painful then they can shake. I would fast her for 12 hours then feed a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day for 5-7 days. If she starts vomiting then I would contact your Vet. If her breathing persists at being abnormal it also may be a good idea to have her examined. I wish you the best
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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