You feed tasty and nutritious dog food, and yet your dog only sniffs and licks at it. It’s time for the next meal, but the previous meal still isn’t finished. You might have a picky eater!
You may think your dog wants or needs variety. The truth is – even if your dog won't eat their food but will eat treats – they will happily eat the same food every day their entire life. It's up to you to make sure you provide a tasty, nutritious meal. Your dog is always hungry because your dog descended from opportunistic hunters who were accustomed to eating what they could get when they could get it. If you've ever wondered, "Why is my dog suddenly hungry all the time?" this could be the reason.
The cause. Frequently, the cause of a dog's pickiness isn’t a result of its behavior. It’s usually the result of humans feeding table scraps or too many treats. Not only does this increase the risk of obesity, but it also can encourage "picky eater" dog food behavior. Your dog avoids eating in hope of getting more exciting food than what’s in the bowl. The best approach is to stop feeding your dog from the table and limit the number of treats. Remember that dogs and cats have different nutritional needs than we do, so what we eat isn't necessarily balanced for them, and certainly not the best dog food for picky eaters.
When your dog was younger, if you tried offering several different foods to determine the right fit, you may have encouraged your dog to hold out for something better. If you’re opening multiple cans of food and trying to coax your dog into eating something every meal, then your dog has you trained.
Effective ways to correct this behavior:
- Help your good little eater understand that no options exist.
- Set out your dog’s food for 30 minutes. If it isn't eaten, take it away.
- When it’s time for your dog’s next meal, set out the food again and take it away in 20 minutes, whether it is eaten or not.
- In a day or two your dog may start checking around for extra treats. It's still possible that your dog won't eat kibble, but maintain your strategy. Don’t give in! Your dog isn’t starving. If hungry, your dog will eat.
You may have to endure disappointment from your picky eater dog, but this is an effective technique in eliminating finicky eating behavior. You will be glad you did it in the long run.
If changing your dog’s food formula, do it gradually:
- Start by combining new food with the old food and gradually increasing the amount of new food as you reduce the amount of old food. This will be helpful in getting your dog to eat the new food and avoid a hunger strike.
- If you’re switching from wet to dry food, try mixing in a small amount of warm water with the dry food.
- If your dog suddenly becomes finicky with no previous signs of this behavior, a medical disorder could be the issue. Observe your dog for vomiting, diarrhea, sluggishness or loss of weight.
Tasty Tips
Set out your dog’s food for 30 minutes. If it isn't eaten, take it away.
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