How Long Can A Dog Go Without Food Before It Will Suffer From Starvation?

This would depend on the general health of the dog amongst other factors such as its body weight. For example, a small dog or one who is underweight would not be able to live as long as a powerful dog with a lot of muscle and fat. A rough estimate would be around five to seven days, although this could be a lot less for a smaller or unhealthy dog. Water is required more frequently than food, and it is thought that a dog could only survive 4 days without water; this would be significantly less (even as little as hours) in hot weather.

It is important to note that it is obviously advised that under no circumstances should food be intentionally withheld from a dog. This is an illegal act in most civilised countries, and should never be done unless you have been told to do so by a veterinarian in preparation for surgery (this would only ever be 8 hours).  If it is a case of illness and you are worried that your dog has not eaten for a number of days, then it is important that you visit a vet as soon as possible. Simple illnesses such as diarrhoea and sickness can put a dog off its food for a day or two - this is very normal. However, a duration of longer than two days is definitely cause for a visit to the vet for advice. You must ensure that your dog has plenty of water if he or she seems to be off their food; especially if symptoms of sickness are visible as this will prevent your dog from becoming dehydrated.

Boccigirl, Thanks for asking.

Unfortunately we decided it was "time" last week. They thought perhaps liver failure (or liver cancer) was the likely culprit. She had spleen cancer previously which was removed and treated successfully, so they thought it may have spread. BUT, nothing was definitive. Until she stopped eating, she seemed very healthy. She had not had a full meal in over 3 weeks, and virtually nothing for the last week, but was still drinking (water only...we unsuccessfully tried broth, milk, Ensure, etc.), still walking, still going outside on her own to pee. I also discussed with others how long we could let her not eat before it would be painful for her. Many suggested it was probably not a painful decline at all, but I could not stand the thought that she might be in pain, and just not showing it. Another vet also advised that while owners may hope for a peaceful end at home, it often does not happen that way due to emergencies. We brought her to her favorite park one day prior, and she just froze and looked terrified, so I decided that was enough! She was obviously getting weaker every day. By far the hardest decision I've had to make because we still didn't know if it were reversible or not. But it appeared it was only going downhill, and decided to not take extraordinary measures since she was over 14 years old.

I continue to question if it were the "best" decision, or the "right" time. It was (is) tough!

I do hope you were able to find an answer for your dog!

Didn't seem to post the first time, so sorry if this is a duplicate.

Why is the assumption negative? I came to this site also looking for answers. Our beloved dog quit eating over 2 weeks ago. I've been to the vet MANY times. We've tried everything we know short of more operations since she is elderly. After urine & blood tests, they determined it might be a liver problem, so she was on meds. But it didn't work. Two weeks ago, she had nothing but a few morsels of chicken or beef. This week she has had nearly nothing. Anything she eats, she spits out. 99% of the time, she simply walks away. We've tried dog foods, table foods, treats, broth, milks, ETC. Her vet thought she'd live only about a week without food, but it has been longer. The vet said "we'll know" when it is time, and when her quality of life is gone. Well, we don't! We've brought her on short versions of her favorite walks yesterday and today, and she still seems to enjoy it!!!! She is still drinking water. She must be existing on fumes. We don't want her to suffer. She has obviously lost weight, and is getting weak, but she does not appear in pain. So, that's why we too wondered how long a dog can live without food.

My dog is having the same problem not eating and now very little to drink. She loves her walks and has started to poo. We are waiting for test results to come back. She has had blood work,ultra sound, endoscope, colonoscopy done. The vets are puzzled. One vet said she might have Addison's Disease. The symptoms look that way. We will still have to wait a day or two for results. She is 13 years old and has given us many happy memories. We love her dearly and want her better.

We have talked about letting her go and we know if we have to we will because we love her so. It sure is hard to decide but you want the best for her and pain free.

This post is actually very helpful....I looked on here b/c my dog is sick and hasn't eaten for a day and 1/2....and wanted to know how long is too long for him to go without food..he is drinking ok but has an upset stomach....so I would think the individuals writing this post are not planning on deliberately starving their dogs.

This is a very legit question. I don't know why people jumped to the conclusion that the asker is cruel and/or inhumane. I provide temporary foster homes for rescue dogs, and the first time I did it I was pretty scared. The dog wouldn't eat the food I gave her, nor would she drink the water. I found myself asking the same question because, quite frankly, I thought the dog was going to starve herself.

Okay, everyone is being very very rude.
My dog is sick and has um diarrhea so we can't feed her for a few hours or until it stops. This person may be curious or have a problem like mine, so lay off him!

If your dog cannot keep water down, then try letting it have just a few laps every 15 to 20 mins.
My german shepard hasn't eaten for 5 days, but will drink water, but any more than a few mouthfuls & she throws it back up, but if she has a few laps, she's fine, & staying hydrated.

I have a Yorkie who is 12 years old, but has been suffering with what the vet described as a weak heart for the past 2 years, so she is on meds for that daily.  Coupled with that, she has terrible malignant tumours pushing through her uterus.  The advice from the vet was that if she is still eating, still pottering about and happy enough, to enjoy her.

All that has changed in the past  month.  For the first time in her life she stopped eating altogether for about 4 days, unheard of when there's chicken about.  Then she seemed to come round and ate again.  Now, she is back to not eating (past 4 days again), drinking lots of water but vomiting it up again.  Sometimes it is bile.  She is thrown down in herself, sleeping a lot, and seems confused (she is blind, too).

It is breaking my heart but I know the time has come - I am taking her to the vet tonight to see what he thinks, but I kind of know what he's going to say.  I won't have her suffer.  And I will stay with her until the end and hold her in my arms - she has been my angel for 12 years, it's the least I can do.  But I wish I had someone to hold me afterwards, because I will be in bits for quite some time. 

My beagle is 15 and she has refused to eat for 5 days now.  Her appetite has been declining for months, and one by one she started refusing foods.  We knew she was really not doing well when she refused chicken.  We know she is dying because she had kidney stones and was put on a special diet (prescription vet food) to kill the stones.  It worked at first, she was feeling better and running around.

 Then she started to refuse to eat the prescription food.  We tried mixing with chicken, with broth, with baby food, and that worked for a while, but then she refused to eat much at all.  The kidney stones probably came back because she is back to those symptoms. To old to operate, too stubborn to get her to eat the food that will help her.  So we're just loving on her. She's had a good, long life full of love. 

Dogs don't know they are dying. I was also wondering how long she will go without eating, it is a natural question when you are watching your dog refuse to eat. She's sleeping beside me now, and she looks content.  We think she will probably go peacefully in her sleep, praying she has that peaceful end.

I like so many others, have come here looking for the answer to this question because my dog is sick. How? Rear legs just collapsing and severe weakness. Caused by what? I wish I knew. I've had her to the regular vet. To the Emergency Vet. Back to the regular vet for X-rays and now blood tests and as yet they're unable to tell me. My dog has gone off her food in the last two days (today could be because of the aesthetic they used for the X-ray) but still I don't want her to be in pain or suffering in any way if we can't find an answer and a way to fix her.

She's not as old as a lot of the other dogs discussed here, she's an english Staffy and she's 8 so she should have some 4 years ahead of her. I don't want to be keeping her to keep myself happy, I want her to be healthy and happy and to find a solution. If she is in pain for an extended period (as I assume her stopping eating could be cause by some pain level?) or discomfort due to her lack of eating then I'd rather do what is right for her and not what is right for me my holding on when that would make her suffer needlessly.

I would never intentionally withhold food unless directed by a vet for the purposes of an operation or testing. I'd go without food before I'd let my beloved pet's suffer that fate.

I was told my 8 year old keeshond has multiple masses in his abdomen. Surgery not an option. He is drinking on his own but he refuses to eat anything at all. I have put baby food in his mouth and he has held it down. Is this too cruel to do to him? I feel horrible.

Why is nearly everyone posting Anonymously? I'm sorry anyone posting an answer Anonymously has no credit or credence to their answer, no matter how valid it may be.

my baby is 13 1/2 and has suffered a stroke 4 days ago, she hasn't eaten anything since, she is walking, drinking and peeing, but refuses all food offered, any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.