Help! My dog is picky. 4 tips to help manage your picky dog
I’ve worked in a pet food store since 2009 and in all my time working there I have never had so many pet parents struggling with this common issue.
As you try the following suggestions, keep in mind that dogs are not a one-size-fits-all. A lot of this might be trial and error to see what works best with your dog.
Behavior that is reinforced continues —
Are you unintentionally reinforcing your dog to walk away from their bowl? Over time they learned that they can get food outside of their normal meals. They have learned that food is better than what is in their bowl. Behavior that is reinforced continues. Bring back the behavior you are looking for by reinforcing it. If you want your dog to eat from their bowl then reinforce them with the food they like. Be consistent.
Change their food often—
There is a myth that still lingers that we should not be changing our dog’s food. This is not true. Just like us, dogs thrive on variety and it helps them from becoming picky. How would you feel if you were only fed chicken and rice for every meal of every day for years? At some point I’m willing to bet you would walk away from that meal.
Add fresh food to their diet —
Adding fresh vegetables, bone broth, goat’s milk, or even raw food to your dog’s diet can help reinvigorate their love for eating. Kibble is a highly processed food and most of the nutrients and flavor have been cooked out of it. It’s no wonder our dogs walk away from a bowl full of kibble! Help them out by adding some of the nutrients and flavor back into their bowl by adding fresh food.
Use enrichment as a feeding tool —
A variety of products out there can add enrichment to your dog’s meals. The snuffle mat, licky mats, kongs, treat dispensing toys, and slow feeder bowls are all great products that give enrichment. Feeding this way will give your dog an opportunity to work for their food by using scent, licking, and chewing. These are natural behaviors that will help make eating fun.
Sometimes underlying health issues cause dogs to not eat. You should consult your veterinarian if you believe there is a health concern with your pup.
Dogs are speaking to us all the time. So if your dog is walking away from their food, they might be telling you something. Try using some of these recommendations to see if you can turn your picky dog into one that loves eating their food.
If you’re looking for information and advice from an integrative veterinarian check out Dr. Karen Becker at https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/dr-karen-becker.aspx.
Until next time.
Daniel is a freelance writer specializing in captivating content for businesses in the pet industry. To work with him send an email to daniel@danielstarkwriting.com or visit his website at www.danielstarkwriting.com.
