Some dogs need an audience for everything
Dogs will do anything for food — beg, plead, look at you with the saddest eyes known to man, but when mealtime finally arrives, some pups can be persnickety.
For picky eaters, it’s not what’s on the menu, but the atmosphere surrounding feeding time that affects their appetites, leaving pet owners to ask, “Why won’t my dog eat without me?” If your dog is happy to chow down when you’re in the room, but the second you leave he goes on a food strike, you’re not alone.
This behavior is actually quite common. Here’s why your pup may be losing his appetite, and how to help him learn to dine alone.
Though our floppy-eared pets are far removed from their wild ancestors, some wolf-like behaviors still lurk within our domesticated dogs. Wolves hunt and eat in a pack, and your pup may be hungering for the same communal experience — even if its only dry kibble in his bowl, according to Shelby Semel, founder of Shelby Semel Dog Training in New York City.
“Dogs find that meals are more fun with others,” Semel tells The Dodo. “By nature, dogs are social creatures and the company can motivate them to eat.” If you dont mind hanging out while he eats, theres no harm in being in the room during mealtime.
The close bond you have with your pet can come into play at mealtime, notes Dr. Liz Stelow, animal behaviorist and chief of service at UC Davis, especially if your dog has come to expect an emotional reward for eating.
“Some owners create a relationship with the dog around food, especially if he has a history of being a picky eater or has experienced reduced interest in food due to a major gastrointestinal upset,” Stelow tells The Dodo. “In those cases, owners will play with food choices, use verbal encouragement, sometimes fret and otherwise sink a lot of emotion into getting their dogs eating on track.”
This can create a situation in which the dog feels more rewarded by eating in the owners presence than alone, Stelow explains, even if the food itself is not very rewarding.
If your dog won’t eat without you, try holding back on the verbal praise during the next mealtime, and see if he begins to eat independently.
Dogs That Won’t Eat Because of Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is such well-known term these days, it’s become one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions. Just because your dog appears to go on hunger strike while you’re away, does not necessarily mean they have separation anxiety. While it is true that many dogs with separation anxiety refuse to eat or drink while their owners are away, the most common sign of separation anxiety is destructive behavior.
If, in addition to not eating, your dog is barking, howling, chewing, or making a mess while you’re away, then they probably have separation anxiety. If that is the reason your dog is not eating, then you’ll have to treat their anxiety.
Here are some tips for helping a dog with separation anxiety:
You should also know, some dogs with separation anxiety are overly attached to one specific person, while other dogs have a general fear of isolation – i.e., they’re content in the company of any human, or in some cases, even another dog. If your dog only eats in the presence of you specifically, then they have an extreme attachment to you, or they think they need your approval to eat.
When I leave the house, Widdle turns his back on his treat and takes his usual spot by the window to keep watch, ready to battle any intruder or at least startle the postal worker.
Its not uncommon, Coonce said, and it could be worse. Some dogs with more severe separation anxiety rip up carpet, chew on walls and even bust out windows.
Regulars hes got trained. Anyone else he herds into the kitchen, puts his paws on the counter to show them the treat jar, and turns his big eyes on them until they give him what he wants.
When I return, Widdle jumps up and down and wags his tail like he hasnt seen me for a week. Only then he does he pounce on his treat and eat it.
When visitors come into the house, our dog whines until they get him a treat out of the jar on the kitchen counter.
My Dog WON’T EAT Their Food What to Do About It
“It’s a mild form of separation anxiety,” he told me. “He doesn’t like for you not to be there.” It’s not uncommon, Coonce said, and it could be worse. Some dogs with more severe separation anxiety rip up carpet, chew on walls and even bust out windows.