What to do if your dog is picky about eating dog food

Dog pickiness about food has various reasons, and the problem should be addressed according to the specific cause. If the food's palatability is poor, you can try switching to a new type of dog food or mixing meat broth, goat's milk, or other foods into the dog food. If your dog is naturally picky, you can work on their feeding habits, such as feeding at regular times and intervals, controlling each meal to about 80% full, and feeding fewer or no spicy treats. In addition to food, owners can also take their dogs outside more often to burn off energy and make them hungrier faster. Finally, illness can also cause dog pickiness; if your dog's mental state is also poor, see a veterinarian for inspection and treatment.

When dealing with dog pickiness, consider various factors such as feeding habits, dog food types, and illness. If the dog has no physical abnormalities but simply refuses to eat dog food, it's likely that the owner often feeds the dog spicy treats or has an irregular feeding schedule, causing the dog to become picky.

Picky eating caused by these factors can usually be corrected in about half a month by trying various methods.

Change dog food

If your dog has been eating the same type of dog food for a long time, they may become bored with it. There are many flavors and formulas of dog food on the market, so you can try switching to a more palatable type to increase your dog's appetite and improve their picky eating. However, remember to gradually transition when changing dog foods to avoid stomach upset or diarrhea.

Improve feeding methods

Dog pickiness can also be caused by irregular feeding habits, such as feeding your dog excessive food, unstable feeding times, or frequently giving spicy treats.

To change your dog's picky eating habits, stick to a regular feeding schedule. If your dog doesn't eat, remove the food promptly. You can also control your dog's meal size to about 80% full, which will make them feel hungrier and more eager to eat. Additionally, during training, resist the urge to spoil your dog with too many treats or the habit may be harder to break.

Mix in other favorite foods to increase palatability

If the dog food's palatability is poor, you can mix in meat broth, goat's milk, or vegetables to improve it. Gradually reduce the amount of added food as your dog's eating habits return to normal, but don't feed your dog these foods alone, or their pickiness may worsen.

Fast for a short period

If your dog stubbornly refuses to eat dog food, you can try fasting it for a day to make it understand the importance of dog food. Short-term fasting under normal health conditions will not harm your dog, so don't worry too much.

Increase physical activity

In addition to changing feeding methods, you can also take your dog outside for more exercise. Exhausting your dog's energy will make them feel hungrier and can effectively improve their picky eating.

Check for illness

Lastly, if your dog has oral or digestive system diseases, they may also develop picky eating due to discomfort. Dogs with these illnesses may show symptoms such as eating pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. If you notice these signs, take your dog to the vet immediately for inspection and treatment.