Dental causes
Periodontal disease, a broken tooth, root infection, gum inflammation — all of these make chewing dry food painful.
- Pain when pressure is applied to a tooth
- Gum inflammation and tartar
- A fractured canine or premolar
Other causes worth ruling out
Not every refusal of food is dental. The vet can help distinguish oral pain from other problems if the mouth examination doesn't provide an answer.
What to do
Don't force your dog to eat dry food through pain. Book an examination. In the meantime, soft food can be given on your vet's advice.
When to see a vet
- The dog eats soft food but refuses dry food for more than a few days
- There is bad breath, bleeding, or a darkened tooth alongside it
- The dog has a trembling jaw or flinches while eating
What not to do at home
- Don't soak dry food as a long-term solution without diagnostics
- Don't give human painkillers
- Don't wait for the dog to "get hungry enough"
Frequently asked questions
Yes. If the mouth examination doesn't reveal disease, the vet may recommend further diagnostics.
A different food won't remove tooth pain. An examination comes first.