SOMETIMES your dog for apparently no reason will refuse to eat its meals. There is, however, usually an explanation, and pinpointing the reason for refusal will help you to overcome the problem. No appetite may be the first sign of illness and this should always be borne in mind, but more commonly there are other reasons and it is sensible to eliminate these before consulting the vet.

Young puppies may refuse milky meals at around six months of age, and pups which have been on four meals a day may refuse 'breakfast' when the time has come to switch to three larger meals given at longer intervals. Puppies may, temporarily, refuse to eat newly introduced foods and, because they tire easily, may not eat when overtired. An adult dog's lack of appetite may also be explained by exhaustion after vigorous exercise. They may also refuse food when they have other things on their minds, for instance a bitch on heat nearby.

Stress brought about by changes in routine may bring about no appetite. Guard dogs, for example, may not eat when stranger are present, and pet dogs in boarding kennels may starve themselves for a few days. Pregnant bitches may not eat for a day or part of a day at certain stages of their pregnancy.

Whatever the reason for your dog's lack of appetite it is important not to panic and not to immediately offer alternative foods 'just to get him eating'. As long as it is taking fluids, a dog will survive for weeks without food. They will never starve themselves to death. Titbits, table scraps and other 'goodies' may be relished by the dog, but a diet built on these will do him no good whatsoever. It is important that you stamp your authority over what he eats, and don't allow him to become fussy.

When food is refused, avoid getting into a battle of wills by leaving the food down 'for as long as it takes'. The best advice is to remove the food which has not been eaten after 10 - 15 minutes, scrape the plate clean and replace the empty plate in the feeding area.

A little later offer some more fresh food and if refusal occurs again, do the same thing again. After a few rounds of this the dog will soon realise that he has the choice of either the food which is on offer or none at all. All dogs will eventually choose the first alternative.

Always offer a good quality balanced diet which should be highly digestible with a high nutrient density. This will minimise the amount the animal needs to eat. Remember that temperature has an effect on the palatability of food, so don't offer food straight from the fridge, but give at room temperature.

Persistent refusal of food, especially if accompanied by other signs of illness, needs careful monitoring. Always seek veterinary advice if there is cause for concern. It will help the vets if you could tell them how long it was since the dog ate a full meal eagerly, and whether the dog is actually capable of swallowing at all.

See if he is drinking normally and if the dog is still passing motions at normal intervals. If so note their colour. If vomiting has occurred, record the frequency and type. Remember that, at the end of the day, it is a dog's instinct to feed itself and you can use this instinct to get your dog feeding properly.