Do you notice your pet turning its nose up and walking away from its usual food but still loves to eat human foods and treats? Your pet might be a picky eater. Most of the time, their picky eating habit develops when their pet parents feed them more table scraps and treats, which could have taught them to hold their tummy for something much better.
Whatever the cause for their lack of interest in eating can be extremely worrying for all fur parents. So let’s discuss some helpful techniques to get them to eat food without problems again.
5 Hacks to Get Picky Dogs to Eat Their Food
You might believe every canine knows how to consume its food when you put its bowl down, but not all dogs are the same. Some can be very fussy and will only waste time looking, licking, or smelling their food and still don’t eat. No matter what’s causing them to lose their appetite, it’s the job of pet parents to teach them to consume the food they feed to their furry buddies.
So if you’re an owner of a picky canine, the five tips we’ve collected below might be the solution you’re looking for.
1. Try switching to tastier food options
If your dog doesn’t consume the food you’re serving in their food bowl, it could be because they don’t like it. Fussy dogs typically choose wet food or kibbles made from fresh meat with a delicious aroma.
2. Avoid giving them treats and human foods
Your pet may not eat their food as they believe they’ll get their fill of table scraps and treats throughout the day. The next time your dog refuses to eat dinner, refrain from giving them any treats or human foods to keep their minds off it. Once they taste real meat, they may lose interest in canine food, so withdraw from providing treats and human foods while you still can before it becomes a real headache.
3. Pick up what you put down
Many fur parents have different strategies when picking up their pet’s food. Some give their dogs thirty seconds to consume, while others wait about five minutes. No matter what timeframe you decide, picking up their food at planned intervals tells your dog to eat it while it’s hot. Otherwise, they’ll have to wait until their next meal.
When you take your picky dog to facilities like Smithfield Road Veterinary Hospital for routine checkups, let the veterinarian know. Regular veterinary examinations can help identify whether your pet’s picky eating habit might be caused by a particular health condition.
If you’ve missed any of your pet’s vaccinations, you must also let your veterinarian know so they can consider solutions through wellness examinations to make up for it. This is especially essential to protect your canine from widespread pet diseases.
4. Exercise them before mealtime
Physical activities and exercise can efficiently stimulate appetite. Walk your pet or jog around the garden right before mealtime; you’ll see how excited they’ll be when you feed them. Do you observe your pet getting cranky and scratching its skin excessively? It could be an obvious indication of a parasite infestation.
Make routine visits to the veterinarian for your pet’s parasite prevention and ask for efficient products to improve your canine’s condition. Consider purchasing pet care plans to get discounts on each veterinary visit.
5. Make them a quiet eating environment
Make sure your pet enjoys its food quietly without disturbances and other stimuli. Stress can disrupt a pet’s appetite or eagerness to eat, so try giving them a dedicated place to munch their food without distractions.
