Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My puppy won't eat, lost weight, and is tired. Should I worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 6 months and 24 days old

Hello, my dog (7 months old), used to be happy and playful, eating a lot, has lost his apetite for the last 7 days (having eaten very little in the meantime). he has definetely lost weright, although he is moving around, with less energy, and is happy to go for a walk. Took him to doctor twice and he finds he is perfectly ok (no pain, nothing) and he thinks it is just a matter of time for the dog to start eating again. I am still worried and will take him to another doctor. Ideas?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 25th, 2019

That's not good,. Unfortunately a loss of appetite is a common sign of many illnesses. I wish it could narrow it down, but I can't without seeing Riko in person. I would take him into another vet for a second opinion as well as blood work and a urinalysis.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog didn't eat anything and loss her weigh.
Hi there! Sorry to hear that he is not feeling well. The clinical signs you describe are concerning when they occur in a puppy as they can be seen with serious gastrointestinal infections such as Parvovirus. Other possibilities include intestinal worms and dietary indiscretion, among other possibilities. The sooner these conditions are treated the better the outcome tends to be. For this reason, I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian to check for these possibilities and to start therapy based on findings. At the very least they can address dehydration if present and start him on medications to make him feel better. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for your boy!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Rilo has been sleeping a lot much than usual. He doesn’t eat right away like he used too. Not very energetic. What could be the issue here? After getting neutered he has a kidney issue. His blood has been check 3 months after and everything was norma
These behaviors are signs of illness, but unfortunately there are very general signs of many illnesses. Without seeing Rilo in person, I can't say what is going on. I'd have him seen by a vet in the morning.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy not eating anything. He looks bad. I don't know what I do now?
Nik is experiencing very general symptoms of disease, these symptoms could fit almost any internal condition, maybe he is suffering from nausea due to a gastrointestinal disease and maybe he is in pain, from the symptoms described it's very hard to know. i would recommend taking him to the vet as soon as possible in order to get him checked, if he doesn't show any other obvious symptoms during the examination, a blood test and possibly an ultrasound will be needed in order to try and find out what is wrong with Nik .
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog randomly stopped eating his dog food and started losing weight. When he does eat he usually throws it up. I tried a few different dog foods and he won't eat. He will only eat human food. And he keepz it down. I raised him with no human f
There are a number of illnesses that could cause decreased appetite with weight loss. Some common possibilities would include chronic liver or kidney disease, a partial intestinal obstruction due to a foreign body or tumor, a severe intestinal parasite load, or even some type of cancer. I would recommend taking Pohana to the vet for an exam as soon as you are able to - he/she can do blood work and x-rays to help determine the problem and see what can be done to treat it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Thanks for your prompt answers. Riko is very sociable, when he sees other dogs at the vet's, normally cheerful, playing around. This is why vets think he's ok. Called him and explained hat since last Sunday, Riko is a different dog. Still not eatin
I'm sorry but Riko's symptoms are very non-specific so it is very difficult for me to know may be going on with him just based on your description. Blood tests and x-rays do not always give a diagnosis. That is why there are so many different testing modalities available. So, I would say you should start with chemistry and CBC blood testing and x-rays of his abdomen to check for any obstruction.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has an excessive thirst , lethargy loss of appetite and vomiting. he also loss alot of weight. What is happening to my dog
Hi there. I'm sorry to hear that Tofu is not feeling well. At his age I would be worried about a virus, parasites or an intestinal obstruction. Those are going to be the most common things. Other possibility is that he was born with a problem with his kidneys or liver. My best recommendation is to take him to the vet for an exam and some bloodwork. That can rule in/out many of the things I mentioned above. Of course more testing may be needed like a fecal test or x-rays. It will depend on what the vet finds on the exam. Unfortunately his symptoms are very vague and could be a sign of any of those diseases (and more). They are not specific signs for any one disease process so I cannot pinpoint exactly what is happening just based on your description. If he is sick, you need to get him to a vet as soon as you can. I hope this helps. Best wishes to you and Tofu. I hope he is back to feeling better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
my dog is super skinny, won't eat and is lethargic
Poor Zoey. There are so many things that can cause weight loss, lack of appetite and lethragy like an infection, parasites, liver or kidney disease, a pyometra (infection if the uterus), cancer, and much more. I would have you vet take a look at her. Your vet will be able to do blood work and possible x-rays if needed. They will be able to get her started on the proper treatment plan to help her feel better. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
He doesnt want to eat, hes been getting skinnier, he still drinks water and im not sure what to do
Decreased appetite and weight loss are very common symptoms of many disease processes in pets. Basically any problem with any organ system (liver, kidney, GI tract, etc). Some are quite treatable and others are more serious. Toby really needs to see a vet for some tests and an exam. Most likely what will be recommended first is bloodwork and xrays. In the meantime have you tried canned dog food or meat proteins (chicken, beef, turkey) to entyce his appetite?. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
I have a dog 5 years of age. She doesn't eat a lot and becoming skinnier. Although she drinks a lot of water, is there a problem to my dog ? what would I do ?
I'm sorry to hear that your dog is sick! Yes, it does sound like something is wrong, if she's not eating much and losing weight. But, these are very vague symptoms that could be caused by almost anything, so it's hard to say what might be wrong without being able to examine her and run some tests. Because of this, I would recommend taking her in to see a vet as soon as you're able to. He/she can do blood work, x-rays, or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what kind of treatment is needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Pocholo is lazy and doesn't eat for a day now. I'm worried because he is a very jolly dog that loves to play. But now, he is always wanted to lay down and sleep. What possibly is happening to him?
Poor Pocholo! It definitely sounds like he isn't feeling well for some reason. Unfortunately, these symptoms are very vague and could be caused by almost any type of illness or injury, so there's no way to say what might be wrong without being able to examine him. I would recommend taking him to the vet for a check-up as soon as you are able to - he/she can do some blood work or other testing if needed to help determine what's wrong and get him started on appropriate treatment for the problem.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog Supplies Dog Health & Wellness Electrolytes for Dogs Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Veterinary Diet Dog Food Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Weight Management Dog Food Wet Dog Food Mirtazapine Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Rimadyl Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Lactated Ringers Electrolytes for Dogs Viokase-V Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Weight Management Dog Food Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Puppy Food Veterinary Diet Weight Management Dog Food Veterinary Diets Weight Management Dog Food Rimadyl Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Prescription Diet Puppy Food
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored