Picky Eating in Dogs
Picky eating is when a dog refuses their normal food or only eats a small amount for an extended period. It’s a common problem dog owners face and can be frustrating when you carefully select a premium brand dog food, yet your pup turns their nose up at it.
There are several potential reasons for picky eating in dogs:
– Lack of variety – Eating the same food day in and day out can cause boredom. Dogs naturally crave diversity similar to humans.
– Taste preferences – Like people, dogs have personal tastes. Some simply don’t like or have grown tired of a particular food.
– Breed characteristics – Certain breeds like Yorkies, Shih Tzus, and Poodles are notoriously picky eaters. It’s partly built into their genetic makeup.
– Health issues – Dental disease, allergies, nausea and other medical conditions can cause a disinterest in food.
– Stress or anxiety – Major changes in a dog’s life like a new home, family member, or schedule shifting can induce fussy eating.
Identifying the potential cause is the first step towards improving your dog’s appetite and eating habits.
Taste Preferences
Dogs have around 1,700 taste buds compared to humans who have around 9,000. This means dogs experience taste differently than we do. However, our canine companions still enjoy strong tastes and smells.
Human foods tend to have much stronger flavors than standard dog food. The potent smells and tastes of people food are more enticing to dogs. While dog food is formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition, it lacks the variety and intensity of flavors that are present in table scraps and human dishes.
Dogs tend to prefer meat flavors in particular. The rich umami taste of meat is appealing to them, much more so than plant-based flavors. This explains why dogs may reject dog food in favor of meat-based human food.
Lack of Variety
One reason a dog may prefer human food over their regular dog food is simply because kibble and canned food tends to have the same texture and flavor every day. While dogs seem to enjoy routine in many aspects of life, when it comes to their meals, the lack of variety can get boring. As natural scavengers, dogs are used to seeking out a diverse range of foods. Eating the same dry or canned dog food at every meal lacks the novelty and excitement of human food, which offers a wider array of textures, temperatures, smells, and flavors.
The repetitive nature of commercial dog food means many dogs will get tired of eating the same kibble or canned food day after day. It may have appealed to them initially, but after weeks or months of the same dog food, even premium brands can become unappetizing. Introducing some variety through healthy leftovers, different meat and vegetable mixes, or new flavors and brands of dog food can help stimulate their appetite and interest at mealtimes.
Feeding Schedule Issues
Often, dogs are fed at the same time every day, whether it’s once or twice a day. This consistent schedule means that dogs start to anticipate when their meals are coming. They know when to expect their dog food, and they likely see it as a routine part of their day.
In contrast, human meal and snack times are much more sporadic and spread throughout the day. There’s more variety and unpredictability when people eat. So to a dog that’s hanging around the house all day, those human meal and snack times seem much more exciting than their scheduled dog food meal.
This sense of anticipation and excitement can make your dog much more enthusiastic about people food than dog food. The human food is a special event outside their normal routine while the dog food is just ordinary and predictable.
Positive Reinforcement
Many dogs prefer human food because they have learned to associate it with praise and affection from their owners. When owners give their dog a tasty scrap of people food, they usually do so lovingly, as a treat or reward. The dog quickly learns that human food time is happy time. But the dry kibble in his bowl doesn’t bring the same warm, fuzzy feelings.
Dogs are experts at training their humans through positive reinforcement. By turning up their nose at boring dog food and holding out for the good stuff, they can condition their owners to give them exactly what they want. It’s only natural for dogs to prefer the food that seems like a gift rather than a staple. Who can blame them for loving those yummy handouts?
To get your dog to eat his own food again, you’ll need to find ways to make it rewarding too. Feed your dog’s regular meals in his crate or designated place, accompanied by praise and affection. Save the people food treats for special occasions only. With time and consistency, your dog will learn that dog food time can be just as happy as getting table scraps.
Medical Causes
Certain medical conditions can lead to a lack of appetite or picky eating in dogs. Issues like dental disease, mouth pain, nausea, thyroid problems or metabolic disorders can make a dog less interested in eating kibble.
Dental disease and mouth pain are common in dogs and can make crunchy kibble less appetizing and even painful to chew. Signs like bad breath or reluctance to let you examine their mouth can indicate dental issues.
Conditions affecting digestion, metabolism or hormones like hypothyroidism can also reduce appetite. Nausea from infections, parasites, medications or other illnesses can make a dog not want to eat as well.
If your dog is showing a persistent lack of interest in their normal food, it’s a good idea to visit the veterinarian. Your vet can check for dental disease, nausea, thyroid issues or other medical problems that may be causing appetite changes. They can recommend any needed treatment to help get your dog eating properly again.
Stress and Anxiety
Changes in a dog’s environment and routine can cause stress that negatively impacts their appetite. Getting a new home, moving, adding a new family member, or switching up their daily schedule can be very unsettling for dogs. This anxiousness results in decreased appetite, even though the dog requires nutrition to stay healthy.
In an unfamiliar or stressful situation, the welcoming smell of human food is much more enticing than regular dog food for a nervous dog. The canine brain associates human food with comfort and positive reinforcement. So when experiencing stress, a dog will often reject dog food and hold out for people food.
Poor Quality Dog Food
Many mass-market and inexpensive dog foods use cheap fillers and artificial additives that dogs find unpalatable. Low-quality ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy provide little nutritional value. These plant-based fillers simply pass through a dog’s digestive system without being properly absorbed.
Dog foods with a high amount of fillers often lack sufficient protein, which is crucial for canine health. They may be deficient in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and other nutrients dogs need to thrive.
Artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives found in low-cost kibble can reduce palatability and appeal. Dogs have a keen sense of smell and taste and may reject food with an unnatural aroma or flavor.
When selecting a dog food, look for quality ingredients like meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables. Opt for brands that use minimal fillers, by-products, and additives. Checking the guaranteed analysis on the label will help determine if the food has adequate protein and fat.
Feeding your dog a nutritious, natural diet with quality proteins and fats may increase palatability and get a picky eater to finish their meals.
How to Get Your Dog to Eat
If your dog is refusing their normal food, there are some tricks you can try to entice them to eat:
Transition slowly to new food – If you need to change your dog’s diet, do it gradually by mixing a little of the new food in with their old food. This allows their stomach time to adjust.
Warm it up to release aroma – Heating your dog’s food a bit can help bring out the smell and make it more appetizing. Just don’t make it too hot.
Mix in wet food or broth – Adding some canned dog food, meat broth, or warm water to your dog’s kibble can give it more flavor and aroma to stimulate their appetite.
Praise for eating – Give your dog lots of positive reinforcement when they eat. Say “good boy/girl” in an excited tone and pet them. This rewards the behavior.
When to Seek Help
If your dog’s picky eating persists beyond two weeks without any improvement, it’s time to seek professional help. Significant weight loss in a short period of time is also cause for concern. Lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea can be signs of a more serious underlying issue as well.
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if the picky eating continues without explanation. The vet will be able to give your dog a full exam to diagnose any potential medical problems causing the change in appetite and eating habits. Bloodwork, fecal tests, and imaging scans may be recommended to pinpoint the cause.
Some health conditions that can lead to loss of appetite in dogs include dental disease, gastrointestinal disorders, organ dysfunction, cancer, and infections. Your veterinarian will determine if any of these are a factor. They can also assess for other contributing issues like anxiety.
With professional guidance, you can get your dog’s eating schedule and behaviors back on track. Don’t hesitate to seek veterinary care if your pet’s picky eating persists or you notice any concerning symptoms. Your vet can provide tailored treatment and advice for your dog’s situation.