Some dogs are picky eaters. While this may seem like a joke, if you’re a pet owner with a dog refusing to eat, there’s nothing cute or funny about it. Every dog will need calories. You want dog food they’ll devour every time you set their bowl down.
If you end up with uneaten bags of dog food that your pup refuses to touch, consider using some strategies to make a picky dog eat.
Try a Different Kibble:
Your dog may not like a specific brand of kibble, or the bag may have gone bad. Check the expiry date. Many pet owners try a different type of kibble as their first step in getting their dogs to eat. Try out different brands like Acana dog food to see if your dog responds better.
Transition Between Foods Slowly:
If your picky dog is not taking to a new dog food, introduce it slowly. Dogs can develop digestive upset from trying different types of dog food. You may need to slow things down, transition small amounts, and always gradually.
Add Bone Broth:
To make dry dog kibble more appealing, mix in some water or, preferably, bone broth. This will make the food more fragrant and delicious while helping the dog stay hydrated.
Warm Up the Dog Food:
Warming the food a little more will bring out its aroma. This will also enhance the flavour and stimulate their appetite.
Try a Dog Food Topper:
Try a dog food topper to make kibble and mealtimes more exciting. You may even want to rotate what topper or mix-in you use to add variety and get a sense of what your pup likes.
Mix in Dog-Safe Foods:
Many human foods, including peanut butter, cheese, pumpkin, cooked eggs, and yogurt, can be mixed into your dog’s kibble to make it more appealing.
Set Up Appointed Mealtimes:
Most dogs enjoy routines. Meals are no different. Define and stick to a feeding schedule. Food should only be provided at appointed times. Let the food sit for up to 30 minutes, and then remove it. This will train your dog to eat their food when it is served.
No Raw or Wet Dog Food Out:
Leave raw or wet dog food out for two hours. This can lead to bad eating habits and more sanitary living conditions. It can also make your dog sick and turn it off from eating certain types of food.
Create a Calm Environment:
A dog may not want to eat somewhere they are unfamiliar with, somewhere busy or noisy, or where there’s chaos. If you haven’t already, move their food to a quieter, calmer part of the house and see if they take to it.
Have a Private Space to Eat:
If you have multiple dogs, give each a designated area to eat in. Feed them in the same place every time to reinforce routine.
Use a Stainless-Steel Dog Food Bowl:
Do not use plastic bowls. Plastic can affect dog food smell and taste and harbour bacteria. By comparison, stainless steel dog food bowls are easy to sanitize and do not impact dog food taste.
Consider a Raised Food Bowl for Older Dogs:
Senior dogs may appreciate a raised food bowl that is easier to eat. Regardless of the type of bowl you use, ensure it is easy for your dog to get to the food.
Try Freshly Made Dog Food:
Try making them a fresh plate of dog food, preferably made from protein like beef, chicken, pork, or turkey. Add some dog-safe vegetables. See if they have a bite.
Be Aware of Food Sensitivities:
Many dogs have food sensitivities or allergies. The most common are dairy, beef, chicken, eggs, soy, corn, wheat gluten, or additives, such as preservatives, dyes, and artificial flavours. If you discover your dog’s allergic to something, put them on a limited-ingredient dog food diet.
Experiment with Textures:
Your dog may prefer a certain texture over another in dog food. Some alternatives include raw dinner patties or morsels, gently cooked dog food, raw-coated dog kibble with raw bits, dog food stews, and shredded wet dog food.
Do Not Feed Them Table Scraps:
While you can prepare your dog’s fresh food bowl, do not feed table scraps to a picky dog. It could exacerbate the issue. The dog will expect this sort of sharing and may not eat its regular food because of it.
Take Them to the Vet:
If your dog is not eating at all, has lost all interest in food, and has not eaten for 24 hours, it’s time to visit the vet. There may be an underlying medical reason why your dog is not eating. A vet can run some tests and provide more information on what is happening.
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