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If you’ve got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and notice that it’s not eating, there may be one of several reasons for this behavior. For example, they can easily go a whole day or two without eating when they are sick.
I think we are sometimes turned off by the cost of visiting a vet and that’s understandable. Check out the list of likely reasons below why your dog is not eating before deciding if a trip is necessary.
However, if you notice symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, change in color of gums, or lethargy, you should contact your vet right away.
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- Reasons Why Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Is Not Eating Like Usual
- How to Get Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to Eat
- Make Sure You're Feeding Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the Right Food
- Stop Giving it Treats
- Try Mixing Different Foods Together So That He Can Eat a Variety of Flavors at Once
- Let Your Dog Get Plenty of Exercise
- Do Not Change Its Food Often
- Don't Force Your Pet to Eat if He Seems Uncomfortable or Unhappy About the Situation
- This Behavior Is Dangerous, but You Can Fix It if You Know Why Your Pup Is Doing It
- In Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Not Eating
Reasons Why Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Is Not Eating Like Usual
No matter what the reason might be that your dog is not eating, you must ensure that it is well hydrated.
Dogs can go up to 5 days without eating, but they must have water.
If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not drinking as well, you must send it to the vet right away.
Your Dog Might Have Experienced Emotional Trauma
When your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not eating, it could be an indication of one of several things.
If it turns out that your dog has no underlying medical condition, then he or she may be experiencing stress or anxiety, both common causes of anorexia.
Stressful situations can include moving into a new home, a new baby being born into the family (or even just around), changes in routine and environment (like switching from a rural setting where there are lots of open spaces and fresh air to an urban apartment with few windows), or even getting a new pet!
Your Dog Could Be Sick
Just like when we feel unwell, your dog might lose its appetite when it is sick, or possibly something caused by your dog eating something unsuitable such as bologna casing.
Some symptoms might not be so apparent, so pay close attention to your dog’s behavior when you notice it not eating.
In case you didn’t know, Cavalier King Charles are prone to a condition known as syringomyelia, which causes pain and discomfort. They tend to yelp when being picked up, a warning sign for you.
If this persists for more than two days, I would recommend that you bring your dog to the vet for a checkup and determine if he or she is sick.
If you see any symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, then you should not wait anymore. A visit to the vet’s clinic should be your priority.
Your Dog’s Food May Have Gone Stale

One possibility is that there’s something wrong with the way you’re preparing your dog’s meals.
For example, if you leave cooked meat out at room temperature for more than two hours before serving it (or even for just one hour during hot weather), bacteria can grow on it and make it toxic to dogs; so always reheat leftovers before serving them again.
Although some dogs have no issues eating stale food, that does not mean it is good for them.
As such, always ensure your dog eats right away when the food is served, and don’t make the mistake of accidentally feeding it puppy food when it’s already an adult!
Doggy recommends: Dachshund Not Eating? Causes and Solutions You Need
Your Dog May Have a Toothache
If your dog is not eating, it’s important to rule out dental issues.
A toothache can cause a dog to not eat and lose weight.
You may notice that your Cavalier has difficulty chewing because of a sore mouth.
If it’s in pain, it may also vomit or sleep more than usual.
If you suspect that your pet is having dental issues and needs treatment, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Consider reading this: 4 Reasons for Dog Licking After Tooth Extraction + Care Tips
Your Dog Might Be Getting Too Many Treats
You’ll want to make sure that your dog isn’t getting too many treats.
While some dogs are very good about their diets and do not need any extra help, others will be tempted by the sight of a treat sitting in front of them.
If your dog has been eating daily treats for a while, it might seem like a harmless habit, but it can actually cause some serious problems.
Too much sugar can lead to obesity and other health issues in dogs as well as humans.
You also don’t want to feed your dog things that aren’t meant for him or her – these items can contain harmful ingredients, such as chocolate or onions (both of which are toxic for dogs).
If you are not the one feeding it, is there someone else in your home who might have? Figuring this out can alleviate a lot of headaches.
You’ve Recently Changed Your Pet’s Diet
If you have recently changed your dog’s diet, they may not be used to it.
Dogs can also be picky eaters and might not want to eat their meal when you are trying to feed them for whatever reason, even if it has been on the schedule before.
If your pet has recently been switched from one brand to another, it may take him or her a few days to get used to it.
How to Get Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to Eat

Sometimes, it could be just that your “Comfort Spaniel” is being picky and refuses to eat anything you put in front of it.
Might be just a mood swing thing but this can go on for a day or two.
Here are a few things you can do to encourage it to start eating again. Just don’t try silly things like spitting in your dog’s mouth or food. That does not work!
Make Sure You’re Feeding Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the Right Food
If your dog is still not eating, it’s possible that you are feeding him the wrong kind of food. You want to be sure that its food is fresh and preferably grain-free.
Stop Giving it Treats
You might be the culprit here by feeding it too much of its favorite snacks, causing it to not have any appetite when the main course arrives. Additionally, it promotes finicky eating and poor table manners.
Try Mixing Different Foods Together So That He Can Eat a Variety of Flavors at Once
Dogs love to eat, but they also love variety! It’s important to give your dog different kinds of food so that he doesn’t get bored with his meal plan.
Let Your Dog Get Plenty of Exercise
If you’re letting your dog get plenty of exercise, it’ll be more likely to eat more frequently and with greater enthusiasm than if he isn’t getting enough exercise. Exercise can help prevent digestive issues in dogs, and it also helps them feel better mentally.
Do Not Change Its Food Often
Dogs are creatures of habit and they like things to be predictable. If you change the food you feed them, they will associate that with something being wrong and not eat at all.
Don’t Force Your Pet to Eat if He Seems Uncomfortable or Unhappy About the Situation
If your dog isn’t enjoying his mealtime, try giving him some time alone so that he can relax before eating again later on down the line.
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Doggy says, you might be keen to read this too: When do Cavalier King Cahrles Spaniels get their full coat?
This Behavior Is Dangerous, but You Can Fix It if You Know Why Your Pup Is Doing It
Don’t worry if you’re having trouble getting your pup to eat, the answer isn’t to go out and buy a brand new dog.
There are many reasons why your dog might be refusing food, and understanding your dog and how it behaves will allow you to prescribe the right solution.
But if you still can’t figure out why your dog isn’t eating, and you see dangerous signs such as vomiting, then there’s no delay in sending them to the vet.
Doggy says, you might be interested to read this too: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Snoring Problems [Solutions]
In Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Not Eating
As you can see, it is not always doom and gloom when your dog Cavalier King Charles does not want to eat.
Don’t panic and observe for a short while and try out the tips above to get it to start eating again.
The bottom line is that if you can figure out the cause for this behavior and make some changes to the situation, there’s a good chance your dog will return to normal.
It might take some time, but it’ll be worth it when you see your pet enjoying her food again!