Fussy Canine Eaters
Picky Eaters are a common problem. Often puppies from mass breeding facilities where there was a lot of stress for the mother and puppies around feeding or where the mother has passed on poor health, nutritional deficiencies, stress and low gut health, we see fussy puppies with digestive health issues.
Firstly have a veterinarian check there is no medical reason for your puppy’s/dog’s fussiness. Eating may cause pain to your dog. Are there gut health issues that need working on?
When this has been ruled out, we can proceed.
Type & Variety
Firstly, assess what type of food you are offering. Is it highly processed and offers no variety? Is he bored with it? Is it appropriate for the species you are feeding? Dogs are not “carbivores” designed to live on a high carbohydrate diet of highly processed inappropriate ingredients, full of additives and preservatives. They thrive on a raw or lightly cooked varied fresh whole food diet. The diet should include all the essential macro and micro-nutrients a dog requires in the correct ratios for the life stage it’s at. If you wish to prepare your own, you will need to do some more learning. Meat, rice and veggies will lead to deficiencies and health problems. There are many pre-pared fresh raw food diets on the market nowadays (of varying degrees of quality and nutritional composition), which can work out the same price as building your own.
Offer plenty of variety. You wouldn’t want to eat the same food day in day out.
Even if you find a food your dog loves, don’t get stuck on it. He needs lots of variety which will also diversify his gut microbiome and in turn strengthen his immune system.
They need a wide variety of different proteins. Both red and whites meats.
The eating ‘experience’ is important too. Experiencing different textures, temperatures, aromas and types of foods is enrichment. Don’t over-cook food so as to deplete it’s nutritional value. And don’t feed too hot that it could burn your dog.
For inspo on safe foods – download our fresh foods guide
Free Feeding
A common mistake is free-feeding – leaving food (often kibble) out all day & night to snack on as and when your puppy/dog wishes.
If you had an all-day buffet available to you and grazed all day, you’re not going to be excited about your evening meal. It’s no different for dogs. Puppies and dogs do not require food to be available to them all day. This practice can make them fussy!
Very young puppies require 3-4 small meals per day which gradually decrease in frequency over the first 12 months.
Adult dogs require 1-2 meals per day.
Are you over-feeding? If your dog eats but regularly leaves a portion – observe that volume of food and take the portion they’re regularly leaving away from the serving. Serve the portion size that he is comfortable eating. Be aware this will need to be adjusted over time with age and growth.
Yin & Yang
Dogs will be fussier in the morning and more likely to be interested in food after dusk. Use this to your advantage and feed his favourite foods in the morning and new foods or the foods he’s less likely to eat in the evening.
How & Where you Feed
What are you feeding in? Remove any plastic food & water bowls as they’re toxic and unhygienic. Experiment with different surfaces and materials. Does your dog prefer a plate or saucer instead of a bowl? A board, a lickimat, on the ground, in the lawn, slightly elevated? Does your dog prefer a selection board where his food is separated instead of all mushed up together? Try different materials – stainless steel, ceramic, glass etc. Some dogs might not like the smell of heavy metals emanating from a steel bowl.
Where are you feeding? Inside or outside? Is the area quite? Does your dog consider the environment safe? From other animals in the home, from children, from human pressure?
Does your dog prefer to play a game like chase to eat or eat when out on a short adventure (be careful not to over-exercise near meal time)? Or have you tried a food search using boxes/objects or the environment like tress and branches for him to search, seek and forage for his food?
Don’t Command A Sit to Eat
Your puppy or dog does not have to sit before eating. This may cause stress and your puppy/dog is confused or scared of a stern voice.
Do you have to perform a ritual on commend before you eat?
As long as your dog is calm, not jumping or barking around food, there really is no good reason they have to sit!
Social Eating
Many dogs like to eat in company – whether that be human or animal company.
Don’t set and forget
If you find food types that your dog enjoys and eats fairly consistently, don’t set and forget. Keeping trying other food types (even those he may have previously refused), as just like us their preferences can change.
Consider other factors
Some breeds suited to cold climates like Husky’s and Malamutes can stop eating in very hot/humid climates. We have to ask ourselves is it ethical to bring these types of dogs into these environments? Or how can we adapt the environment to suit them with AC etc? Bitches on heat or male dogs that are near a bitch on heat often stop eating.
Work through these tips and most of all, don’t stress! This will only add to your dog’s stress.
