If this is the case, it’s crucial that you don’t give in or the situation will only worsen. If they see that you’ll give into feeding them table scraps, or topping their kibble with indulgent human foods, they may purposefully hold off on eating to see what you’ll do to entice them. Observe your dog’s behaviorĭogs are very smart animals. Let’s take a look at what you can do right now to assess what may be causing your dog’s picky eating habits. Try keeping them on a set eating schedule and staying close by as they eat. Your dog may also prefer eating at the same time everyday, so changing up their eating schedule could upset this balance. Many dogs will only eat when their owner is home, as they’re waiting for their “pack” to return. If you’ve been away from your dog all day, consider that dogs are highly social, pack animals. If you’ve just finished taking them for a hike or playing aggressively with them, they may not want to eat until they’ve cooled down and their stomach is settled. Your dog may change their tune when offered a more palatable meal that contains the essential nutrients they need to feel nourished and energetic! Timing Is Everything Try to avoid dog foods that contain rendered meats or by-products, as these ingredients can irritate a dog’s stomach. Many dogs dislike dry, hard kibble which oftentimes lacks moisture, nutrition, and flavor.Ĭonsider switching out your current dog food for something that is well balanced, and does not contain artificial ingredients or preservatives. Our freshly-cooked meals are perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs, as well as picky eaters, since texture and flavor are both appealing and easy on the stomach. Smell and taste are also key factors in the enjoyment of eating. If this doesn’t work, you should consult with your vet or a vet nutritionist to try to determine if there are particular foods that your dog may be allergic to. If this is the case, try switching their food to a tastier, human-grade quality dog food option with no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Many dogs have food allergies or sensitivities, which can cause them to be reluctant to eat. They’ll likely return back to their normal eating habits once they’re sure everything is a-okay! Food-related Issues Try to make them feel less anxious about the change by reducing your own stress, getting them back into a normal routine, or spending more quality time with them. Take a moment to assess any recent changes in your dog’s life and see if they line up with a recent change in their eating habits. If you’ve been feeling stressed out, your dog may be feeling more anxious too. Have you moved homes recently? Have you been spending a lot more time at home or been out of the house more recently? Have you personally been undergoing a lot of additional stress? Dogs are highly empathetic creatures and will pick up on their owner’s stress. Much like us, anxiety can cause our dogs to have upset stomachs and they may avoid food as a result.Ĭonsider any recent changes to your dog’s environment. Speak with your vet about any recent changes to your dog’s medical treatment to see if those changes could be affecting their willingness to eat. Certain medications and antibiotics can cause nausea or stomach aches. So if your dog has recently shown signs of illness, like vomiting or diarrhea, we recommend reaching out to your vet to treat the root problem.Īnother culprit could be a recent change in medication. Just like us, having a virus can make them lose their appetite entirely. If your dog is sick, they may not feel like eating. Medical Conditionsīefore anything else, it’s important to rule out any potential medical conditions that may be causing your dog to be disinterested in their food. Why Won’t My Dog Eat?ĭogs refuse to eat for many different reasons ranging from their dislike of the food to medical conditions to changes in their environment. Let’s break down what could be affecting your dog’s ability or willingness to eat and what you can do to coax them into eating again. Many dogs scarf down anything placed in front of them, so you may be wondering why your dog sniffs their food and walks away.Īs loving dog owners, this can be tough to watch and may cause you to worry.

Finicky dog eater