Despite their propensity to eat everything and everything, dogs can suddenly stop eating, and some are highly picky.  Find out how to deal with your finicky dog below.

When you sit down to eat, does your dog look at you with large, beseeching eyes, yet shuffle up to their food bowl and sniff disapprovingly?  If so, there are two likely explanations: either your dog is a finicky eater or they may have lost their appetite due to illness.

 

What causes dogs to lose their appetites?

To rule out disease, dental issues, or a response to a vaccine or allergy, you should first speak with your veterinarian.  If the veterinarian gives the all-clear, it's time to deal with the pickiness for your mutual benefit!

It's possible that your dog doesn't have as big of an appetite as their four-legged companions if they are always uninterested in food; what is typical for one dog could be too much for another.

After ruling out sickness and confirming that your dog’s body condition is neither overweight nor underweight, you might need to think about a behavioural explanation for their eating hesitancy.  If a dog refuses dog food but unexpectedly regains their desire for human food or delicious treats, you can generally determine that their appetite loss is behavioural.  The most likely explanation for your dog's complete food refusal is that they are ill.

 

Dogs are not naturally picky

Generally speaking, picky eaters are created rather than born.  Dogs are intelligent animals who quickly figure out that if they refuse to eat their regular meal, they will receive a lot of attention and, ideally, more delicious hand-fed food.  Even more intelligent ones figure out that if they wait long enough, they could be fed some tasty human food in place of their typical dog food brand.  Examining your own conduct is the first step towards changing that of your finicky dog.  Have you intentionally or unintentionally fostered their pickiness?

 

Your dog might already be full

The fact that your dog has already eaten might also be the cause of their lack of interest in food.  Could your dog be smuggling additional food from someone or somewhere else?  A simple check of the trash cans, other family members and your neighbours could help to explain why the delectable supper you prepare is going unnoticed.  Even closer to home, if everyone in a large family is giving your dog "the odd treat," it might be enough to make them feel full.  They probably won't mind, but it's not providing them with a healthy nutrition!

"It's possible that your dog doesn't have as big of an appetite as their four-legged companions if they are always uninterested in food; what is typical for one dog could be too much for another."

 

What can I do about my dog’s loss of appetite?

You can attempt a few different methods to restore your dog's taste for the right food once your veterinarian has ruled out disease and it is generally agreed that a behavioural problem is the cause of your dog's lack of appetite.

 For instance, consider taking a break from hand feeding for a time.  Add a high-quality wet food to dry food to make it more palatable.  Another option is to gently reheat wet food in the microwave to unleash its mouthwatering scents or soak their dry meal in warm water.  Make sure their dish is constantly clean and try switching it up as well. Some dogs are repulsed by their reflection in glass or stainless steel bowls, so try a ceramic one.

Giving them an interactive feeding toy that releases kibble when they roll it around is an additional suggestion.  Dogs that are easily distracted by their surroundings would benefit from these.

 

Divide and conquer

Your family is do more damage than good if they routinely give their pets leftovers from the table.  Even if it means keeping your dog out of the dining room, you must keep their mealtimes totally apart from yours, even if they don't like it.  Ignore their pleading and give them praise when they eat from their own bowl if you want them to get hungry again.  After fifteen minutes, remove their food if they won't eat it, and a few hours later, provide them a new dish of food.  Get in touch with your veterinarian if they continue to refuse to eat.

 

Remember that less is more

Altering to a dry complete diet made for "active" dogs is another option.  Because these formulas are typically highly concentrated, your dog will require less food to achieve the same amount of energy.  Additionally, active meals have higher oil content, which may entice your dog more.  Conversely, specially prepared "sensitive" dishes are highly digestible, which occasionally appeals to picky eaters.

It might be difficult to stop fussy eating and your dog's lack of appetite, but if you are persistent and consistent, you can prevent it from becoming a habit.  Give your dog lots of praise for eating their own food away from the table and stop feeding them from the table.  Lastly, maintain their bodies and brains healthy and strong by limiting their rewards to training aids and encouraging them to play, train, and exercise frequently.

Next, find out what are some of the healthiest dog treats you can add to your pet's diet.