Why Won’t My Dog Eat?
8 ways to get your dog to eat.
Is your dog a picky eater? If so, this is for you.
First, I want to start off by saying; if your dog has suddenly lost interest in food or stopped eating all together, that could be an indication of a more serious issue and you should consult with your vet about possible causes. With that being said, my dogs have never really shown interest in their food. If your dogs are anything like mine, you might need to try something different. Here are 8 tricks I use to get my dogs to eat their meals without breaking the bank.
#1 Try Different kibble
This one may sound over simplified, and you may have already tried it, but if you haven’t, try switching your dogs kibble. Buy the small bags, or samples if you can find them, and try a few different ones. Your pup may simply not like certain foods or even get sick of the one they have been eating.
#2 Mix In Something Yummy!
My dogs love human food and I use this to my advantage. If I have some leftover rolls or biscuits, I like to break them up and mix them in with their kibble. You can also do this with plain rice, quinoa, fries or carrots depending on what your dog likes. Please beware when giving your pup human food, as there are a lot of foods that we can eat but can be harmful to dogs. Do your research before giving your dog any kind of human food.
Here is a list of some common foods you should NOT give your dog.
Pro tip: If your dog eats around the kibble to get to the yummy stuff, try mixing a little bit of shredded cheese and melting it so they can’t pick and choose.
#3 Make It Squishy
Some dogs have sensitive teeth and the hard kibble discourages them. Try soaking the dry food in water, goats milk or beef broth to soften it up and make it a little more appetizing.
#4 Smash Up Some Hot Dogs
This is easy. You can either mash them up with a fork or put them in a blender. Either way, your dog will probably love it and, if it’s mixed in with the food well, they shouldn’t be able to pick out the pieces.
#5 Dehydrated Dog Food
Yes, there is such thing as dehydrated dog food. It actually is very similar to a lot of the canned wet foods but you have to soak it to rehydrate the food. This might cost you a little bit of money up front, because it’s sold in large bags, but is still cheaper, per serving, than most canned foods. Not to mention, buying in bulk reduces waste.
Here are some good dehydrated dog food brands.
#6 Buy Or Make Doggie Soup
Doggie soup is a great way to make your dogs food tasty. You can buy pre-made dog soups in jars and cans. Here is my go-to dog soup. If you are a DIY kind of person, you can actually make your own dog soup. There are some really great recipes out there that utilize a lot of the stuff you might throw away. Here is a good chicken & vegetable dog soup recipe.
#7 Competition
Some dogs are more likely to eat if they feel there is competition. If you have 2 dogs, you might try feeding them on either side of a glass door, kennel or just close enough that they can see each other. They might feel the pressure and actually eat their food totally plain. Always be sure to supervise while using this technique. Stop immediately this if your dog is showing any signs of aggression. You do not want to let them develop resource aggression or guarding habits.
#8 Use Oils & Supplements
You can buy different oils and supplements for your fur babies. This might help them gain weight and get the nutrients they need despite not eating as much. I use fish oil and liquid glucosamine but you can also use salmon oil and other supplements/ multi vitamins. This is obviously one of the more expensive options, but at the end of the day we have to make sure our four legged friends are fueled.
Here are some good supplement products:
Liquid glucosamine is more efficiently absorbed than a chewable.
Salmon Oil can boost their immune systems, help with allergies/ itching and smooth their coats.
Please note: I am not a canine nutritionist, these are just a few things that I do to manage my picky puppies. Always do your own research and consult your veterinarian to determine what is best for your dog.
