Well, actually, my dog will eat anything. He has been off prednisone for a year, but the “side effect” of “hunger” never went away.
The only time Ace isn’t interested in food is when we travel. There is too much going on, and he doesn’t want to take the time to eat. God forbid he misses out on someone walking from one room to another.
So, what do I do when my dog is a picky eater?
I give him five minutes and then I put the food away. I don’t give him treats, scraps from my plate or other goodies. I don’t mix canned food or yogurt with his kibble. He simply does not eat.
Ace might skip two or three meals in a row while we travel, and that’s his choice. A dog will not starve himself. He will eat when he’s hungry. That’s what animals do.
I know of many dogs who are much pickier than Ace when it comes to eating kibble. I recommend the owners of these dogs follow the same plan I follow with Ace.
Don’t mix extra goodies in your dog’s food.
Adding treats or canned food or people food rewards the dog for not eating his regular food. Stick to regular meal times for the dog once or twice a day, and give the dog no more than 10 minutes to eat. Then, put the food away. Don’t leave food out all the time. Food should be used as a reward.
If you are traveling or have new animals in the house, there is a good chance your dog won’t eat. He may be stressed or excited. The same may be true if someone has moved out or passed away. Don’t cater to the dog’s stress by offering him extra goodies. This will not help the dog. Instead, stick to the dog’s usual eating schedule and increase his exercise.
Polo
Saturday 23rd of June 2012
My dog won't eat and it's the first time and we're not doin anything and she wants to come in to the house eagerly
Lindsay Stordahl
Sunday 22nd of May 2011
Give him ten minutes to eat out of his bowl twice per day at the same times every day. If he does not eat, then put the food away. He might not eat for up to three days. That's fine. Then he might only take a few bites when he does eat. But then after that he will eat if he's hungry. He's a dog and an animal and he will not starve himself. Stop catering to him by feeding him by hand and giving him chicken and other treats. The vet said there is nothing wrong with him, so as long as you offer him food twice a day, he'll eat when he's hungry.
charlene
Sunday 22nd of May 2011
hey great pic ...my dog leo is a 1 year old red fox labrador retriver just lately he wont eat his kibble out of the bowl if i put the food in my hand or skim it across the floor he will chase and eat it, thing is i have put some tasty chicken slices in his bowl and he runs straight to it eating it without a problem.....but if its kibble and i have changed the type of kibble 4 times he will not bother,i even tryed dog meat but no joy he just turns his nose up, if i go by his food bowl and call him over he runs off shaking and cowering, i have no idea why, its only me and my partner in the house so i know there is no violence or anything that might make him scared of it , i have even brought him a new food bowl and he is still doing the same thing thats why i cant understand why he is cowering as if he is frightend that we will shout at him if he goes by the bowl , i regually see the vets and hes wormed regually and everything else, if he was sick he wouldnt eat anything but he will eat chicken and little treats mabey he is just really fussy but i am starting to notice he is loosing weight and i really dont know what to do im sorry for the spelling can anyone surgest anything,,,,,, i am at a loose end here the vet says hes fine... but i cant hand feed him everyday for the rest of his life (THANKS charlene )
Lindsay Stordahl
Friday 27th of August 2010
If something is medically wrong with a dog, it could cause her not to eat. Humans don't feel like eating when they are sick, either. But it sounds like your dog is acting fine otherwise, correct? She isn't lethargic or vomiting or anything?
Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. A lot of dogs will go without eating for three days when they visit me. She will eat when she is hungry. She is a dog. If it has been more than five days or so, then you should contact your vet to see if there is a medical problem.
I would increase her exercise and stop giving her treats, table scraps and embellishments to her food of any kind. Make sure she also has enough water.
kp
Friday 27th of August 2010
We have a little 2-1/2 to 3 pound Yorkie Poo and lately we can seem to make her eat? We do have other pets and they of course will gooble up anything they can but our little Demi has been acting stange in that when we put her food down she begins to shake and wont come up to the bowl. So we began trying different things cuz we noticed she got so skinny. We of coursed enhanced her food that didn't work, feeding her alone with no other dogs, putting her in a cage to eat and the funny thing she did then was to rub her nose on a blanket in front of the food dish as if trying to cover it up. We are at a loss as to where the nuerotic behavior is comming from and why? In every other way she seems fine. No throwing up, no diarreaha? And is drinking water. We have caught her eatting her poo a few times? Don't know what to do and she doesnt have much weight on her to loose? Help!