If you love your furry friend, and you notice that they’ve become very reluctant to eat the food that you’ve put into their bowl, it’s natural to freak out a little bit.
Every dog is a little bit different, and one dog’s reason for being a picky eater may be very different from another dog’s reason for being a picky eater. Some dogs are picky eaters because they don’t see food as a valid reward, and other dogs are picky eaters because they have eaten table scraps and treats, and they don’t see their food as enticing. Most dogs, however are picky because of their size, breed and age.
What Makes Certain Breeds Of Dog More Picky Than Other Dogs?
Small dogs and big dogs have very different eating habits, due to their size and appetite. The same goes for young dogs, and old dogs, because they haven’t had the time to solidify particular eating habits.
With small dogs, they are far less likely to be driven by food, in the same way that a bigger dog is. Smaller dogs have smaller bellies, smaller appetites, and they don’t need as much food to properly nourish themselves. In contrast, bigger dogs have bigger bodies and bigger appetites that must be fulfilled.
“The dog has specific nutritional requirements, which must be considered in relation to age, condition, weight and physical activity. Typically, adult dogs eat once/twice a day. Some dogs, especially small ones, are picky eaters. You should correct this behaviour from the start to avoid dietary deficiencies.”
Small dogs may be pickier eaters, and they may need less food, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t need to eat. Instead, small dogs need food just as much as big dogs need food. Without this food, they can become malnourished, and their growth can become stunted.
What Are The Other Factors That Affect Dogs And Picky Eating Habits?
Every dog is a little different. Some dogs, even if they are bigger, are just naturally prone to eating less food. This doesn’t mean that they are undernourished, it just means that they don’t need as much food. But, if your dog has become a picky eater, over time, there could be a variety of factors affecting this change. Injuries and pains are known to cause this change. Age is another potential cause. Poor eating habits can also cause this.
Injuries and illnesses can easily affect your dog’s eating habits. Making them far more picky, or reluctant to eat the food that you have given them. Due to the fact that every dog is a little different, and will respond to injuries and illnesses differently, it’s hard to determine if an injury or illness is the sole cause. That’s why, it’s important to visit the vet, if you suspect that something is wrong.
“Many illnesses could be why your dog refuses to eat. Even problems associated with old age, such as joint pain while walking to and from the bowl, could be the cause.”
As dogs get older, their metabolism becomes weaker, and their appetite lessens. They are no longer as hungry, and they don’t crave food as much. Pickiness often comes into play, though, because your dog wants a change in their diet. This change might come from the fact that your dog is tired of having eaten the same thing over and over again. Or, it could be a response from your dog that they need food that is easier to chew, or less filling.
“At some point, however, most older dogs begin to eat less. This is a natural byproduct of aging, where the dog’s intake of food reduces as their metabolism begins to slow down. That being said, some dogs simply develop a picky streak when they get older.”
Eating habits last a very long time. If you’ve had your dog as a puppy, and you have consistently fed them table scraps, treats, as well as kibble, they are going to remember those eating habits, and continue to perpetuate them for many years. Unless you make the choice to consciously wean them off of those poor eating habits. As dogs get older, it becomes much harder to break these habits, and your dog will, inevitably, become far more picky when it comes to what they eat.
“Frequently, the cause of a dog‘s finicky eating isn’t a result of its behavior. It’s usually the result of humans feeding table scraps or too many treats. Not only does this increase the risk of obesity, but it also can encourage finicky behavior.”
- Injuries and illnesses can make your dog more reluctant to eat, and more selective.
- Picky eating, and eating less, is a natural part of your dog getting older.
- Giving your dog too many treats, or too much “human foods” creates bad eating habits that lead to picky eating.
How Can You Make Your Picky Dog Eat?
Making your picky dog eat is actually a fairly easy task. By changing the feeding schedule, switching from wet food to dry food, or using a dog food topper, you can make your picky dog eat.
Scheduling is far more significant than most people realize, when it comes to your dog eating. If you switch up your dog’s eating schedule without making a slow adjustment, it’s natural that your dog will either become very picky, or completely reluctant to eat. What’s more likely, though, is that your dog will become a picky eater due to growing older and having a change of appetite, and they need a new feeding schedule to accommodate this.
“Sometimes the solution is as simple as making slight adjustments to your dog’s meal time. Experiment with giving him food slightly earlier or later than you normally would.”
Sometimes, dogs need a change. If you have a dog that has eaten wet food their entire life, it might be time to start giving them dry food. As dogs get older, though, wet food is usually a better option, because it’s easier for older dogs to chew. Along with that, wet food has a lot of water, so it aids in hydration, as well.
“As your dog gets older, his teeth may become more sensitive, which can make chewing kibble more difficult and even uncomfortable for him. Switching to a soft food will help to alleviate his oral discomfort when eating.”
However, the best ways to make a picky dog eat is by using something known as a “dog food topper”. A dog food topper is, essentially, some wet food that you put on top of your dog’s regular dry food, to enhance the taste and nutritional value of the meal. Dog food toppers use good, quality meats, vitamins, as well as probiotics. These things make the dog food taste a lot better, which encourages your picky dog to eat it, while also giving your dog extra vitamins and nutrients that are often lacking from regular dog food. What’s especially great about dog food toppers, as well, is that they are eaten alongside your dogs regular meal.
“Also known as dog food sauces or dog food gravies, dog food toppers make your dog’s kibble a lot tastier and flavorful while also increasing the nutritional value of the meal. Indeed, dog food toppings often focus on both taste and health by using quality vitamins, probiotics, superfoods and better cuts of meat.”
You can find different types of dog food toppers that use different kinds of meat. Here is one example of a chicken dog food topping, and here is an example of a chicken and vegetable dog food topping.
- Making an adjustment to your dog’s mealtime can be a very good way of making your dog less picky, and allowing them to eat when they are ready.
- Wet dog food is better for old dogs, since it’s much easier to chew, and has lots of water in it. If you have an old dog that is a picky eater, this is a very good solution.
- Using a dog food topper is the best way to make a picky dog eat, because all you do is pour some on your dogs regular food. With the dog food topper, your dog has a tastier meal, with more vitamins and nutrients than regular dog food.
Max Akin Writing 