It can be a cause for great concern when our dog's appetite for food changes. But before we run to the vet to rule out anything pathological, it might be helpful to first observe his general behavior.
If our dog is still happy and cheerful, eats his treats with pleasure and does not show any kind of discomfort or concern (depression, vomiting, diarrhea) then it is likely that this is due to him simply being picky about his food.
There are several reasons why a dog may be (or become) picky about food. Puppies eat primarily by smell, so they may not find the smell of kibble or canned food appealing enough. Some dogs also dislike the crunchy texture of kibble, especially if they are older and have sensitive teeth. Smaller dogs also struggle if the kibble is relatively large and quite hard.
Why isn't my dog eating his food?
He is bored.
Sometimes changing food can whet their appetite. Let's not forget that our four-legged friends have taste preferences just like us and they may simply not be impressed by what we serve them. Change food or enrich it, once you find a food he likes, try it in other recipes, a small buffet for your little friend can have the desired effect and clean his bowl.
Sensitivity
If your picky friend has a lot of gas or mushy stools, he may have a food intolerance or simply a sensitive digestive system. In such a case, your dog shows a selective appetite and does not eat his food with great pleasure. Many commercial foods contain ingredients that often cause digestive disorders in dogs (preservatives, dyes, abundant grains, starch, etc.) By choosing a more natural and non-processed food, we are sure to benefit his upset digestive system and relieve it.
What foods do we choose in this case?
It's difficult to keep a picky dog happy and at the same time choose good quality food. So arm yourself with patience and persistence, choose foods with high nutritional value and at some point you will find the golden mean.
How can we stimulate the appetite of a picky dog?
It is perhaps the greatest challenge for an owner to satisfy the refined palate of their little friend and manage to find the "golden recipe" so that their dog enjoys every meal.
Variety: As mentioned above, it is possible that the selective appetite is due to the animal getting bored with its food. We do not recommend making frequent and abrupt changes in food because this can cause digestive disorders with more frequent vomiting and diarrhea. The best way is to stay with the same production company and gradually try different recipes.
Warm up the food: Hot food is more appealing than cold food for some dogs as the higher temperature brings out more flavors and aromas. With PETCHEF recipes you can simply put the food in the microwave or in a bain - marie at low temperature for a few minutes and then serve.
Avoid giving your own food, especially while you're eating: Cooking an extra portion of food for your dog can be quite tempting, but it can also be dangerous. For this reason, it's easier and definitely safer to buy their food from trusted companies that definitely include all the necessary nutrients and trace elements they need to stay healthy. Our little friends can become very loyal and look at us with complaint while we're eating. After all, who can resist the '' puppy eyes '', especially when we see that our pet isn't eating its food. Out of concern that it won't go hungry, we give it a small piece (maybe a little more) of our own food. In this way, not only do we reinforce the wrong behaviors of a "beggar dog", but our dog may end up lacking in very important nutritional components and trace elements, gain excess weight, or even worse, experience chronic diarrhea or vomiting.
Reduce treats: We all want to reward our dog and show him that he is the best boy or girl in the world, but with too many treats we can reinforce his aversion to regular food because treats are designed to be much tastier but unfortunately have lower nutritional value and are usually fattening.
Stable meals: Dogs are schedule animals and they really like to have a routine in their lives. They want to know when they will go for a walk, when they will sleep, when you will return home and of course when you will serve them their meal. So by following a stable schedule for their meals, you will not only keep them calmer but you will also help them in case they are picky with their food. Finally, it is important for our little friend to understand that if he does not eat his food when we serve it to him, then he will eat again at his next scheduled meal. Leaving a bowl full all the time and letting him eat whenever he wants is not right as in this way we reinforce this "picky" behavior.
The most common breeds with a "refined palate"
- Boston Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Dachshund
- French Bulldog
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Greyhound
- Maltese
- Poodle (and all their mixes – Cockapoo , Cavapoo , Yorkipoo , etc.)
- Pug
So if your dog turns his muzzle away disapprovingly when you present him with the boring kibble at every meal, then petchef has found the solution for you! petchef aims not only to cook balanced and healthy meals for our little friends but also to offer them delicious food to enjoy every day. Start this nutritional journey with your dog here. Bon appetit!
Eugenia Christou MVDr
Athens Vet -Modern Veterinary Clinics