Do you observe your dog turning its nose up and walking away from its usual food but still loves to consume human foods and treats? Your canine might be a picky eater. Most of the time, their picky eating habit develops when their pet parents feed them more table scraps and treats, which could have taught them to hold their tummy for something better.

Whatever the reason for their lack of interest in eating can be extremely worrying for all fur parents. So let’s discuss some easy tricks to get them to eat food without problems again.

How to Get Picky Dogs to Eat Their Food

You may believe every pet dog knows how to consume food when you put its bowl down, but not all pets are the same. Some can be very fussy and will only waste time looking, licking, or smelling their food and still don’t eat. No matter what’s triggering them to lose their appetite, it’s the job of pet parents to teach them to consume the food they feed to their furry buddies.

So if you’re an owner of a picky dog, the five techniques we’ve gathered below might be the solution you’re looking for.

1. Pick up what you put down

Many fur parents have different strategies when picking up their pet’s food. Some give their pets thirty seconds to eat, while others wait about five minutes. No matter what timeframe you choose, picking up their food at scheduled intervals tells your canine to consume it while it’s hot. Otherwise, they’ll need to wait until their next meal.

When you take your pet for cat checkups, let your vet know. Routine veterinary exams can help pinpoint whether your pet’s picky eating habit may be caused by a particular health condition.

If you’ve missed any of your pet’s puppy shots, you should also let your vet know so they can consider solutions that can make up for it. This is especially crucial to protect your pet from prevalent pet diseases.

2. Avoid giving them treats and human foods

Your pet might not eat their food as they think they’ll get their fill of table scraps and treats throughout the day. The next time your pet refuses to eat dinner, refrain from giving them any human foods or treats to keep their minds off it. Once they taste real meat, they may lose interest in canine cuisine, so withdraw from giving them treats and human foods while you still can before it becomes a real headache.

3. Exercise them before mealtime

Physical activities and exercise can efficiently stimulate appetite. Walk your pet or jog around the garden right before mealtime; you’ll see how fired up they’ll be when you feed them. Do you observe your pet getting cranky and scratching its skin excessively? It could be an obvious sign of a parasite infestation. Make routine visits at Smithfield Road Veterinary Hospitalfor your pet’s parasite prevention and ask for efficient products to enhance your dog’s condition.

4. Try shifting to tastier food options

If your canine does not eat the food you’re serving in their food bowl, it could be because they do not like it. Picky dogs usually choose wet food or kibbles made of fresh meat with a delicious aroma.

5. Make them a quiet eating environment

Ensure your pet eats its food quietly without interruptions and other stimuli. Stress can disrupt a dog’s appetite or eagerness to eat, so try giving them a dedicated place to munch their food without interruptions.