What happens if you don't feed your dog? How many days is it okay to go without food?

Some dog owners may be wondering, "I'll be away from home for a while, so I won't be able to feed my dog. How many days will it be okay?"

When you're away on a business trip or vacation, one of the biggest concerns is your dog's diet.

Generally, healthy adult dogs should fast for a maximum of two days, and puppies and senior dogs should fast for a maximum of one day.

A short period of fasting can be tolerated, but denying your dog food and water is a crime, so if you're going to be away for an extended period of time, you'll need to leave your dog with a friend or at a pet hotel.

This article explains in detail what happens if you don't feed your dog and what to do if you absolutely can't feed it.

If you've been unable to feed your dog for an extended period of time, please take a look at this article.

What happens if you don't feed your dog?

If you don't feed your dog for a long period of time, it will slowly become emaciated and weak due to malnutrition.

They won't become weak immediately, but if they reach their limit of fasting, they may become dehydrated.

While it depends on the breed, it's said that healthy adult dogs can go without dog food or treats for up to two days, and puppies, senior dogs, and sickly dogs can go without dog food or treats for up to one day.

And actually, water is much more important than food.

If they aren't hydrated, they can quickly become dehydrated and, in the worst case, even die.

Depriving your pet dog of food or water is considered "animal cruelty" and is a criminal offense.

Also, neglecting or abandoning a sick pet is a violation of Article 44 of the Animal Welfare and Management Act.

Anyone who commits such acts of abuse or killing is subject to the following penalties.

• Abusive behavior: Imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 1 million yen
• Injurious behavior: Imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 5 million yen

Depriving a dog of food or water, regardless of the reason, is considered "animal cruelty" and a criminal offense, so be sure to find ways to ensure your dog has food every day.

How many days can you go without feeding your dog?

While this varies depending on the breed and size of your dog, the maximum number of days a healthy adult dog can go without food is about two days, and about one day for puppies, senior dogs, and sickly adult dogs.

However, for dogs, being unable to eat despite having an appetite can be extremely stressful.

Furthermore, if a dog goes without food for a long time, it may develop distrust toward its owner, risking the loss of any trust it may have built up.

If a dog goes hungry for a long time, it may vomit gastric juices to reduce strain on its stomach lining.

This is a symptom of gastrointestinal reflux, which puts a great strain on the dog's body.

If you can't feed your dog for an extended period of time, instead of thinking, "How many days can I go without feeding?", think, "How can I feed him every day without fail?"

What to do if you absolutely can't feed him

If you absolutely cannot feed your dog, try the following:

• Ask a friend
• Leave your dog at a pet hotel

We'll explain each option in detail.

Ask a friend

If you can leave your dog with a friend, acquaintance, or family member, consider asking them.

We especially recommend asking someone who is accustomed to interacting with pets or who has met your dog.

If the person has met your dog, your dog will feel more at ease.

Being without your owner can be stressful for your dog, so asking someone who has met your dog is recommended, as it can help reduce anxiety and stress.

Another advantage is that it's easier to ask friends or family.

On the other hand, if your acquaintance is not used to interacting with pets, it may be difficult to have them take care of your dog.

Taking care of a pet involves more than just loving it; you also have to take care of its food and toileting.

Also, if your dog is not well-trained, it may be difficult to leave it with an acquaintance.

If your dog has a tendency to bark or is not toilet-trained, it could lead to trouble.

If you don't have any friends who are familiar with pets or you're not yet trained, we recommend hiring a professional pet care provider, such as a pet hotel.

Leaving Your Pet at a Pet Hotel

Pet hotels are facilities where you can temporarily leave your pet and leave all of its care to the staff.

Pet hotels are often used when owners are unable to care for their pets for an extended period of time, such as during a business trip or vacation.

Accommodation fees vary depending on the breed of dog, but the average costs are as follows:

• Small dogs: Approximately 3,500 yen
• Medium dogs: Approximately 4,500 yen
• Large dogs: Approximately 5,500 yen

Pet hotels provide meals, toilet care, and even walks, so you can leave your beloved dog with peace of mind.

Some pet hotels offer daily updates on your pet's condition via email, providing peace of mind for owners.

On the other hand, a pet hotel can be a new place for your pet, and it can be very stressful for your dog because it's in an unfamiliar environment.

If your dog is sensitive to changes in environment, there's a risk that it may become ill.

Pet hotels also cost a certain amount of money.

If you need to leave your dog for a long period of time, be careful as it can be a significant expense.

Summary (When not feeding your dog)

Generally, healthy adult dogs can go without food for up to two days, while puppies, senior dogs, and sickly adult dogs can go without food for up to one day.

However, not feeding your dog is considered "animal cruelty" and violates Article 44 of the Animal Welfare and Management Act.

Furthermore, not feeding your dog for a long period of time can damage your relationship with your pet.

If you absolutely cannot feed your dog, consider leaving it with a friend or at a pet hotel.

Pet hotels, in particular, are staffed by professionals experienced in caring for dogs, making them a comfortable environment for owners to leave their pets.

They'll usually take your dog for a walk, so your dog can get some exercise and have a nice change of pace.

If you'll be away for an extended period of time, please make sure to provide your dog with food and water every day to help ease their anxiety.