I have a 5-year-old German Shepherd and since Sunday she barely touches her Purina kibble. She seems normal otherwise, no vomiting or diarrhea. I'm wondering if it's just because it's really hot right now or if I should actually be worried?
Three days without eating, even if he seems fine otherwise, you really need to see a vet - this isn't something to put off. Heat can affect appetite but normally not to this extent. One thing that often helps: try offering him something more appetizing or wet (a bit of unsalted chicken broth, softened kibble) to see if it's just lack of interest or an actual problem. If he refuses that too, then that's it, you need to book an appointment fast because prolonged loss of appetite can be hiding stuff that needs real treatment.
No, it's not normal for a dog to refuse to eat for 3 days, even if they seem fine otherwise. Don't count on it and don't just let it slide thinking it'll pass on its own. Heat can definitely reduce appetite in dogs, but 3 days without eating is a signal you need to take seriously. There are tons of things that could cause it - an infection, a dental problem, something they swallowed, or even stress - and you can't know just by watching.
I'd tell you to see a vet soon, not tomorrow next week. Even if she seems normal and cheerful, prolonged lack of food can create complications. In the meantime, you can try small portions of more appetizing food - boiled chicken with no seasoning, a bit of wet food - to see if it's just a lack of interest in kibble. Also make sure she's drinking water properly, especially with the heat.
Heat itself can play a role, that's true, but it's rarely the only explanation for a total refusal over three days. Vets see a lot of cases in summer where people blame everything on temperature, and sometimes there's something more serious going on. Better to be safe and get her checked out, you'll have peace of mind.
I'd say heat can really kill the appetite, especially in a big dog like your German Shepherd, but 3 days is still kind of pushing it - you gotta check a couple things before you panic. Try offering him his kibble soaked or softened in some lukewarm water (not hot), that often gets things going again because the smell gets stronger and it's easier to swallow when it's hot out, but if nothing changes in 24 hours you really should contact a vet to make sure there's nothing else going on.
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