How to Feed Your Dog With Food He Doesn’t Like : Dogs can also have better and worse days. Sometimes a dog will come to you, show love and affection, and light up your day. On the other days, your pup will be lethargic and gloomy.
Your dog can be just moody. However, you should always keep an eye on him since a bad mood can also be a sign of depression or even chronic health-related problems.
One of the most widespread issues among dogs is eating disorders. If your dog won’t eat his food but will eat treats, or will not eat at all, there is a chance your dog suffers from anorexia.
Although anorexia might be the case, it is also possible that the dog is not eating because he doesn’t like the taste of particular foods. Before you take any precautions, study the symptoms, and determine the reasons behind the dog’s eating disorders. Only then can you solve the problem the right way. It’s also recommended to schedule a vet appointment so that your pup will get the best treatment.
Let’s explore the subject and try to understand what you four-legged friend is going through:
Partial Anorexia, Full Anorexia, or Distasteful Food?
Partial Anorexia
Partial anorexia is when a dog eats only treats or some cooked meats added to the pet’s food. Sometimes, dogs experiencing partial anorexia refuse everything but foods as peculiar as a roll with ketchup.
Full Anorexia
Full anorexia is when a dog doesn’t want to eat anything, including pet food, treats, and foods made of cooked chicken or beef.
There are various reasons for anorexia in dogs. It can develop due to minor issues, such as stomach upset, or severe and life-threatening problems. The best thing you can do is to take your dog to the vet.
Distasteful Food
Will you eat something that doesn’t look or smell good? Most likely, the answer is no. Your dog can be the same picky eater.
If your pup starts being very picky all of a sudden, it might be a sign of some hormonal changes, or diabetics. In this case, you should contact the vet right away; don’t wait until the situation improves as it might never happen.
If that has happened to your animal, here are some tips on managing the situation, making sure no dog food goes to waste.
Make Feeding Time Fun
Feeding your dog may be a real duty, but it should feel like a game to your dog. Breeds such as golden retriever or English springer spaniel may want to play with the food instead of eating it.
A feeding toy is a great thing, as it combines eating with playing. An ideal example is sniffing mats. When a dog finds a kibble using its nose, he should eat it without much thinking, even though he refuses to eat the same kibble when offered in a bowl.
You can also try throwing the food on the floor, or hand feeding, to experiment with an energetic puppy.
Add Food Topper
Loving dog owners should always add a little bit of food topper to the dog food. It makes all meals taste better.
You can buy an already prepared dog meal topper, or you can top the food with some table scraps like ground beef or boiled vegetables.
Be careful not to overdo the topping – always give your dog the right amount of food per day.
Change the Dog Food Into a Tastier One
Feeding your dog with a distasteful dog food will do no good. Many dogs ‘steal’ human foods from the kitchen simply because they taste better.
A good dog owner should invest in dog food that is both nutritious and delicious. You know your dog and its preferences best. Select the flavor that your pup will love. When changing your daily diet for your pup, keep in mind that transition should be slowly.
Moreover, remember that an adult dog will need slightly different ingredients than a puppy. Make sure you feed your dog with food right for their age.
Conclusion
Eating disorders and food-related issues are common among many dogs. Your four-legged friend might also be suffering from them.
First of all, take a closer look at your dog and try to understand why your pup started being so picky about food. Sometimes, changing the daily diet can help solve the problem. However, it can also be a dangerous disease that only the vet will be able to diagnose.
