Is My Dog a Fussy Eater?

Most of us think that our dogs eat pretty much anything, but our dogs can be fussy eaters in reality. Picky eating is a puzzling reality as there are many reasons why our dog becomes picky about what he eats on his bowl. 

With perseverance and effort to understand our dog's challenging behavior, we can help stop it from being a habit.

How can I make my dog eat more?

According to thekennelclub.org, there are a few tricks that we can do to help our furry friend:

• Whenever your dog eats from his bowl, give him praise. Make him feel that you are delighted that he finished his food.
• Do not sneak in snacks even if he begs you to. This also applies to your food at the dining table.
• Give them treats only when they did something nice or during training.
• Please give him a variety of food options or make his food more appealing.
• Create a feeding schedule. Be persistent and consistent when you feed your dog.

What are the reasons my dog doesn't eat?

Sometimes, the main reason your dog does not eat is that you are feeding it scraps or too many treats. Always remember that anything excessive is not good, and feeding your dog too much may lead to obesity or encourage fussy behavior. 

Another thing is that maybe your furry friend is waiting for you to feed him with something better than what's in the bowl. This behavior develops when let's say, when the dog is younger, you tried different kinds of food to feed him to determine the right fit. He may have developed a habit of picking the more delicious food, making him fussy. 

To correct this, you can do the following:

• Make your dog realize that he has no other option other than what's on his plate.
• Put your dog's plate for 30 minutes, and if he does not eat, take it away. This will set a signal to your dog that there is an eating schedule. Do this again in time for your dog's next meal.
• Avoid giving your dog extra treats. Don't feel bad about depriving your dog of treats. If he is hungry, your dog will eat.

Do I need to change my dog's food?

• It won't hurt to combine new food formulas with his old food. This way, your dog will remember the food he's used to eating, but we have a slightly new flavor profile. 
• If you want to switch from wet to dry food, do it gradually as well by mixing a bit of warm water into the food.
• If your dog is exhibiting other health symptoms that affect his eating habits, it is best to consult a vet to determine other causes of his finicky behavior.

In conclusion, there is a variety of reasons why your dog does not want to eat. It is very helpful to observe your dog's behavior and determine what's causing him to lose his appetite. After all, our furry companions mean the world to us, and we'll do everything to make sure they live their best life yet.