Dog question

[dirtybella]

I have a 5 year old pup who is usually a great eater, never skips a meal. Until tonight. I did get home late and it was 3 hours later than she normally eats but I thought that would be all the more reason she would scarf it down. Is it normal for dogs to randomly skip a Meal? She is acting otherwise completely normal, playful and happy. 

[dearprudence]

I wouldn't worry too much about a single meal. Did she eat this morning?

[grover]

My dog will skip a single meal every once and a while. My vet said it was normal as long as he was otherwise acting normal and still going to the bathroom.

[Deleted]

Every so often my dog will have a "fast" day where she eats very little or skips a meal. I don't think it's a big deal as long as it's just one meal and the dog is acting normal otherwise.

[cmeon]

Honestly, skipping a meal is a tell tale sign here- it usually means something is going on with their digestive system. No dog here has ever willingly skipped a meal without an illness of some sort. But, if he's back to eating normally, I wouldn't worry.

[caz1221]

Dec 17, 2014 13:55:27 GMT -5 cmeon said:

Honestly, skipping a meal is a tell tale sign here- it usually means something is going on with their digestive system. No dog here has ever willingly skipped a meal without an illness of some sort. But, if he's back to eating normally, I wouldn't worry.

Ditto this - I have a pug (a notoriously food-obsessed breed, and mine is no different), so if he ever refuses food, it's a red flag.  However, if it's a one-time thing and your pup is otherwise acting normally (pottying normally, normal energy level, not showing pain/discomfort when you touch/palpate different areas of her body, no signs of dehydration), I wouldn't worry about it.