When it comes to fussy eating, remember that dogs will not normally starve themselves just because they are a bit choosy about their food (although if your dog goes 24 hours without eating anything, consult your vet). A thin appearance does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong.
Your pup will gladly eat a meal that he doesn't enjoy if there is no alternative – it beats a grumbling tummy! Oh, and don't worry about your dog going hungry. Generally, most dogs can go a few days without eating.
Food and growth
Up to half of all parents are worried that their child isn't eating enough. Unless they are ill, a young child will never voluntarily starve themselves. If your child seems healthy and energetic, they are eating enough. If you are still concerned, keep an eye on how much food they eat over the day.
It is common for dogs to not eat their food, but eat treats or table scraps. This is referred to as partial anorexia and it typically occurs because your dog doesn't feel well.
Look at your pup's body language for cues
If your pup runs to their dish, takes a sniff of their food and begins eating right away, chances are they like it! If your pup takes a sniff and turns away, that is probably a good sign that they aren't particularly interested in that dish.
Do you ever wonder whether your furry friend gets bored of eating the same food? Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans. So, while they will more than appreciate a mouthwatering meal when it's served up to them, they won't necessarily grow tired of eating the same food every day.
Before you attempt to switch your dog's diet to a new diet, understand that dogs can become bored with either the smell or texture of their food. Try adding meal toppers to their existing food. If that doesn't work, try swapping to a different flavour.
In many cases, the answer is pica. Pica is a relatively common disorder that often stems from an attempt to obtain nutrients that might be missing from their diet. This disorder can lead your dog to chew on or eat things that are not food, such as socks, shoes, or toys.
There are some simple homemade choices that you can add to your dog's kibble that may make it more palatable and even healthier. Cut up or puree fruits or vegetables, like carrots, green beans, and apples. Unsweetened canned pumpkin has fiber and may settle an upset stomach.
Although you might think your dog is turning their nose up at their food because it's bland or boring if they're vomiting it's more likely that they're feeling nauseous. Rather than reaching for something more exotic and palatable, stick to bland foods like limited ingredient dog food, chicken, or pumpkin.
Tips for parents of fussy eaters
Try to eat with them as often as you can. Give small portions and praise your child for eating, even if they only eat a little. If your child rejects the food, do not force them to eat it. Just take the food away without saying anything.
You may have heard it called the “one bite rule” or the “one polite bite” or the “no thank you bite” or the “try it bite”. Regardless of what you call it, it's the concept that a child (usually a picky eater) should take at least one bite of every food on their plate.
Pack Mentality
Some dogs will just go a short distance away from their dishes and others will go far away or even to a hiding spot such as behind the couch or under the table to eat their food. The biggest reason for this behavior is instinct.
There are a lot of different reasons why a dog may turn up his nose at his food. Refusing to eat dry dog food could just mean that your dog is a picky eater, but it also could be a sign of a more serious health problem. If your dog won't eat dry food, here are some steps you can take to help get him eating again.
Even dogs that have had hearty appetites can become picky eaters, sometimes overnight. Changes in eating habits can be temporary or permanent, caused by illness, injury, aging, or other factors.
Healthy adult dogs can go anywhere from three to five days without food as long as they're still drinking water. But that doesn't mean you should wait that long to contact your veterinarian. If your pup has gone longer than 48 hours without eating anything, you should call your vet.
Be consistent. To try to encourage your dog to eat their food you will need to ignore their begging and give them lots of attention and praise when they do eat from their bowl. If they decide not to eat their food, then take it away after 15 minutes and offer then a fresh bowl of food a few hours later.
Dog food toppers like canned pumpkin, sardines, and bone broth are great options for picky eaters. These toppers provide added flavor and can help entice your dog to eat their food.
Dogs get tired of eating the same thing every day.
They're fine eating the same thing all the time. Once you find a food that works well for your dog, stick with it. Changing types or brands of food can make your dog sick. If you do need to change their food, do it slowly over a few days.
Why does my dog eat like he's starving? Many conditions can trigger increased appetite in dogs. A dog may have learned the behavior because they were not properly fed or became anxious about food. Or, they may have developed a metabolic condition or infection or have parasites.
Dogs can be hungry because: it's genetic, they've exercised a lot, they have health issues (such as diabetes or worms), it's a side-effect of medication, they're stressed, they're bored or because they're not getting enough of the right type of food.
It may be tempting to call the vet the second your pooch refuses dinner, but it's perfectly natural and ordinary for some dogs to skip a meal or two on occasion.
Dogs have receptors for the same taste types as humans, including spicy, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty foods. However, dogs never developed the highly tuned salt receptors that humans have. This is a result of their heavily meat-based ancestral diet being naturally high in salt.
While they might take naps here and there, they shouldn't be sleeping 24/7. If they are sleeping more than usual and you've ruled out any potential health issues, then they are probably bored. As humans, we tend to sleep or eat when there is nothing left to do, which is also true for our pets.