Why is my puppy not eating after losing her baby teeth?
Original Question: My grandchildren have a 6 month old wheaten terrier. She has lost 7 baby teeth in the past three to four weeks. This past week she is not interested in eating her food. What could be the problem? - Evelyn
Mar 5, 2018
Hi Evelyn,
Thanks for your question.
So the first thing is that it’s totally normal for the immature, or what we call deciduous teeth to naturally fall out by six months of age. Sometimes the gums can be a little sore because new teeth have recently emerged and you may be able to find some inflammation of the gums. This inflammation may reduce appetite but it should be temporary. If this is the cause, this problem should resolve itself very soon.
There are other reasons why a puppy won’t eat which could be simply because they are growing and their appetite is going to be vigorous at times and then weak at other times. This can depend on their energy level and play behavior. So the first thing I would say is just to wait a day or two because their appetite usually returns. Many pet owners will be oversensitive and over worried when they see that their puppy doesn’t eat therefore my piece of advice is to sit tight for a day or two and monitor the situation.
There are other causes of reduced appetite that could be occurring as well. If the problem persists, I would recommend that you go to your veterinarian for a physical exam. They may first look at a stool sample to check for parasites which could cause digestive discomfort and are very common in puppies. Beyond that, more significant diagnostics could be done such as blood work, urine, and X-rays. The greatest concern would be that the dog may have foreign material in its stomach. Puppies are well known for ripping toys apart and ingesting things and I encourage you to take a look at our article that goes over tips for puppy proofing a home as it will help you get some more ideas on this topic. Be sure to look around the house and make sure that all the toys are accounted for and are intact.
I would also recommend you to have a great look at our video going through some tips on raising a new puppy. I am sure it will come in handy.
Good luck and I hope this situation rapidly resolves itself. Enjoy your puppy! These little guys like to keep you on your toes!
Dr. Clayton Greenway
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