Is My Dog a “Picky Eater” or Behaving Normally?
“The saying goes, ‘Some dogs eat to live, other dogs live to eat,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club.
Some eating habits can be tied to your dog’s genetics – with some breeds known to have heartier appetites, but much of it is due to the environment, he explains.
When you feed your dog, how long does it take your pet to finish? The answer to that question is usually a good indicator of whether they’re being a picky eater.
Dogs that don’t empty their food bowls within a certain amount of time, usually about 20 minutes, are more likely to be considered “picky eaters,” according to Dr. Klein.
Another sign of picky eating? Pets that refuse to eat their own dog food but are perfectly happy to accept human table scraps may also fall into that category of “picky eater,” says Dr. Klein.
“Of course, one has to be sure there is no underlying medical condition causing this erratic appetite,” he adds, explaining that a veterinarian should always be contacted if there is an appetite change that lasts longer than 24 hours.
Breeds like Pugs and Labradors are notorious for having ravenous appetites, while others like sighthounds are lean by nature, says Dr. Klein. Sighthounds eat, but due to their fast metabolisms, they gain little to no weight.
Though feeding your dog may sound straightforward, how and when you give your pet food can affect how much they eat.
To avoid picky eating behavior, Dr. Klein recommends creating a consistent feeding routine:
“Leaving food out long term encourages bad eating habits and is unsanitary,” Dr. Klein explains.
Stress, absent pet owners, and social and emotional upheaval to a pet’s daily routine could also explain why your dog isn’t eating.
If the pet food you’re feeding your dog is complete and balanced, your pet has a healthy weight, and the stool looks normal, then your dog likely doesn’t have any problems with the food you’re serving, says Dr. Klein.
Some pets, on the other hand, may have dietary sensitivities or food allergies, which could explain their appetite.
Any sudden changes to your dog’s feeding could cause problems like gastroenteritis (diarrhea with or without vomiting). To avoid this any change to your pet’s diet should be done gradually, transitioning between the former type of food to the new type over the course of 4 to5 days rather than immediately or “cold turkey” to prevent gastroenteritis that could lead to your dog’s change in appetite.
If there’s any concern with your pet’s appetite, always discuss what steps to take with your veterinarian before making any changes, says Dr. Klein.
Clubs Offering:
Does it seem like your dog suddenly has lost interest in eating food? Knocks over their bowl out of boredom with their food? While it could mean you have a picky eater on your hand, changes in appetite could also signal a greater health problem that should be addressed right away, particularly in young puppies, senior dogs, or pets with known underlying health conditions.
Make sure you are feeding the right amount
This one might seem a little obvious, but you would be amazed at just how many owners overfeed their dogs.
I can understand. I mean, when your dog stares at you with those bulgy puppy eyes, it can be hard to resist giving them an extra treat or two. It won’t hurt, right?
It might be that your dog isn’t fussy but just full.
Overfeeding is a particular problem if you have a small pup like a Chihuahua, Papillon or Brussels Griffon…
These tiny dogs need much less food than you think. The smallest sizes might only need half a cup of kibble across a whole day.
As you can imagine, these tiny stomachs get full quick. When your belly is full to bursting, the last thing you want is more food, right?
Well, your dog feels the same. And if you present him with more food, your dog isn’t going to eat it.
While you may think your dog is fussy, your dog may need more time to digest his last meal.
Speak to your vet about the amount of food your dog needs. If you are overfeeding, cut back – it could cure your dog’s picky eating.
How to Get a Fussy Dog to Eat (top tips for picky dogs!)
For many dogs, feeding time is one of the most exciting moments of the day. Sometimes, all it takes is the sound of kibble hitting the bowl to get a dog salivating and scrambling toward their food.
But, mealtime isn’t always so simple. Sometimes, a dog just won’t eat, which can be confusing and worrisome for pet parents, who may wonder if their dog is sick or simply displeased with what’s on the menu.
Recipes developed for picky eaters, like Bil-Jac Picky No More More dog food, can help tantalize the tastebuds of even the most discriminating dogs. But it’s just as important to get to the bottom of what’s causing your pet’s picky behavior.
That’s why we talked to veterinarian Dr. Bryce Zietz, DVM, to discover the most common causes of poor appetite and picky eating in dogs…and, more importantly, what to do about it.