How can a puppy develop anorexia?
Expert Answer
Puppy anorexia can be caused by many factors – physical, psychological, or environmental. First, illnesses such as oral disease, digestive or respiratory disease, or infections like distemper and parvovirus reduce appetite through discomfort and pain.
Second, hormone fluctuations can affect appetite; for example, a female dog in heat or just after whelping often eats less. Stress, anxiety, or fear – such as a new home, new owner, a new family member, or separation from the mother – can also cause anorexia.
Finally, sudden weather changes, or weather that is too cold or too hot, can affect a puppy’s appetite.
My puppy went off food and the article's right, it was a tummy bug, but I ruled out the scary stuff like parvo first with a vet. Stress from a new home can also do it. If your puppy won't eat, especially with low energy, get a vet check promptly, because puppies crash fast. Mine bounced back. Don't wait on puppy anorexia, a vet exam protects against the dangerous causes, so act quickly, because a puppy's reserves are thin and time is short.