Failure to feed dogs for a long time can lead to a series of serious health and behavioral problems. Specific observations include the following aspects： --- ### **1. Physiological symptoms** -**Sudden weight loss**: Muscle atrophy, ribs and spine are significantly prominent, and subcutaneous fat is reduced. -**Weakness and weakness**: slow movement, difficulty standing, and even fainting due to hypoglycemia (puppies or small dogs are more likely to occur). -**Dehydration**: Dry gums, skin elasticity deteriorates, urine is reduced and the color is dark yellow. -**Digestive system abnormalities**: Vomiting of bile (stomach acid irritation caused by fasting), diarrhea or constipation. -**Organ damage**: Long-term starvation may cause liver lipid deposits (fatty liver) or kidney failure. --- ### **2. Behavioral changes** -**Excessive foraging**: Biting on non-food items (such as wood, plastic), turning trash cans, and even swallowing foreign objects. -**Anxiety or depression**: It may appear as anxiety and barking in the early stage, and turn into indifference and drowsiness in the later stage. -**Aggressiveness**: Enhanced food protection behavior, may show aggressiveness to nearby people or other animals. --- ### **3. Long-term health consequences** -**Decreased immunity**: Susceptible to disease, wounds heal slowly. -**Developmental disorders**: Puppies may have irreversible growth delays and cognitive defects. -**Metabolic disorders**: Electrolyte imbalance (such as hypokalemia), endocrine disorders (such as abnormal thyroid function). --- ### **4. Extreme situation risk** -**Death**: Complete fasting for 3-5 days (depending on body shape and health status) may lead to organ failure and death. --- ###**Precautions** -**Special groups are more vulnerable**: Puppies, elderly dogs, sick dogs or lactating bitches are extremely poorly tolerated, and emergency intervention is required if they have not eaten for 24 hours. -**Legal and ethical responsibilities**: Most regions regard intentional fasting as animal cruelty and may face legal liability. --- ###**Recommended action** -**Seek medical attention immediately**: If you find that your dog has not eaten for more than 24 hours or has weak symptoms, you need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Infusion or nutritional support may be required. -**Gradually resume eating**: A small amount and multiple meals are required when re-feeding to avoid sudden large-scale eating causing "Refilling syndrome" (Refilling syndrome). **Reminder**: The regular feeding frequency of adult healthy dogs is 1-2 times a day, and clean drinking water must be provided. Any refusal to eat for more than 12 hours is recommended to consult a veterinarian for investigation of the cause (such as oral diseases, gastroenteritis, etc.).