Is your dog not eating? Fussy eating? Wondering how to get your dog to eat?
If you are reading this blog, some of these things may sound rather too familiar:
- Feeding your dog by hand
- Changing dog foods regularly
- Ending up feeding your dog human food just to get them to eat
- Standing over them encouraging them to eat
Now is the time to STOP and go back to basics and get your dog back into a good routine.
Firstly, it is really important to make sure your dog is not ill or has dental problems which is preventing them from eating – please visit your vet if you are in any doubt, this advice is not for poorly dogs – just those that have become fussy.
As much as you may not want to hear it, you are ‘feeding’ your dog’s unwanted behaviour by giving them attention and things won’t get any better until you follow this simple routine
Here we go….
- Decide what food you are feeding your dog and stick to it. Do not keep changing the food, this can make your dog a fussy eater and is a way of gaining attention. Feed a good quality food full of nutrition
- NEVER leave your dog’s food down for long periods of time, this gets your dog into ‘grazing’. You need to train your dog that they eat when their food is put down for them and that is the only time they have the opportunity to eat.
- Reduce the size of their meals to get them into the habit of clearing their bowl. When they start clearing it, gradually build up to the ideal amount of food to keep them in correct condition
- About 30 mins before their food time, give your dog the recommended dose of Malted Kelp Tablets, this nutritious mix includes Anise which helps aid the appetite.
- Call your dog when it is food time, put the food bowl down for them and give them an instruction which can be anything really to tell them it is time to eat ‘Dinner time!’. Busy yourself near them but do not stand over or continue chatting to them this is distracting.
- Give your dog 5-10 mins to get on and eat their food, if they are eating but are a slow eater give them a little longer as long as they are still eating, the minute they stop and go away you must then take the bowl away.
They need to learn that is their window of opportunity to eat, if they don’t they miss out.
- Do not feed them or give them tit-bits until their next meal (except perhaps a bedtime biscuit if that is part of their routine!)
- At the next meal time, follow the same routine, food down, give the instruction, give them the set time and if the food is not all eater take it away and do not re-offer the food. Offer fresh food at every meal time
You will soon find your dog understands the routine and takes the opportunity to eat in their ‘feeding window’. Don’t feel cruel, your dog has the opportunity to eat they are choosing not to. Your dog is healthy, they will feed when they are hungry – it is almost a battle of minds!
11 thoughts on "What do I do if my dog is a fussy eater?"
Hi. I have already done all of what you have advised on this page. I have taken my dog to Potters Bar and 3000.00 later there is nothing wrong. He arrived from Finland at 4 months of age underweight and has never gained. He is a Borzoi of 30″ height and weighs 32.4kg which is 3 -4 kg under weight. He is 15 months old. I have him on Royal Canin Hypoallergenic with shredded cheese and he is about to be put on a ‘wolf’ diet to see if that makes any difference at all. I am happy to put him on the kelp gif you think that is a way forward.
Regards
Dee
Hi Dee, please could you call us on 01308 897272 and one of our advisors will be happy to give you more advice. Many thanks.
Hi my 5 month old lab has started to leave all his meals but still eats his training treats and chicken with gravy substitute meal is this a fussy pup or indicators to him being unwell .he seems full of energy and generally well.
Unfortunately we would not be able to determine if this means that they are suffering from something underlying, and so this will need to be checked out by their vet if you are concerned. Otherwise you may want to consider the Malted Kelp Tablets which will help to tempt them if this is down to fussy eating 😊 The Dorwest Team
I found that my dog had grown a taste for human food. It took me a long time to get him to enjoy the taste of dog food again.
Hi, my 1 year old cavapoo is super fussy and doesn’t really want to eat anything we give her unless it’s fresh meat or polenta or human food. She’s not unwell and she is hungry and will eat treats but not sure how to get her to eat her dog food. I’ve tried mixing her dog food with human food and she won’t eat it, but she would rather go hungry than eat her good :/
Hi Erika – Our Malted Kelp Tablets may be of some help here. They are packed full of nutritious ingredients and are especially formulated to help tempt picky eaters. The aniseed aids digestion and adds extra flavour while kelp provides all the essential micro-nutrients required. Malt extract is high in energy and vitamin B which is known to stimulate appetite. We recommend 1-2 tablets per 5kgs bodyweight around 30 minutes before you put their food down.
I hope this helps! For further advice, please get in touch with our friendly team of adivsors and they'll be happy to help – advice@dorwest.com
Just wondering if this is meant to work with super super fussy eaters? I’ve spent a lot of money on different foods that he DOES like, but will literally starve himself trying to hold out for something better! I bought this off Amazon based on reviews there. Quite tired of throwing my money down the drain as this pandemic has made it hard to find work after moving to a completely different country!
Hi Paige – Our Malted Kelp Tablets are packed full of nutritious ingredients and are especially formulated to help tempt picky eaters. The aniseed aids digestion and adds extra flavour while kelp provides all the essential micro-nutrients required. Malt extract is high in energy and vitamin B which is known to stimulate appetite. We recommend 1-2 tablets per 5kgs bodyweight around 30 minutes before you put their food down. We do have some tips for getting fussy eaters to take supplements as this can be tricky – especially if they struggle to eat their own food. Here's a link: https://www.dorwest.com/blog/introducing-herbal-pet-care-to-your-dog/
I hope this helps! For further advice, please get in touch with our friendly team of adivsors and they'll be happy to help – advice@dorwest.com
Hi I have a cavapoo she is a bit under weight we have tried dry food raw food tin food she will eat for a while then goes off it she still eats chews and tip bits she is lively going a toilet ok
Hi Julie – Unfortunately we do not have anything to help put weight on. You could try giving the Malted Kelp Tablets to help increase appetite but they will not directly put weight on. You give 1-2 per 5kg bodyweight per day about half an hour before meals (should be split between meals).