Fussy Dog Feeding Tips

How to help your picky eater

This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian, Dr Katelyn Bailey BVSc Hons

Is it difficult to find something that your dog won't turn their nose up at, or has your pooch become less interested in their food for no particular reason?

Fussy eating is quite common and can be a very frustrating issue for pet owners to deal with. Read on for more information about what causes fussy eating as well as some of the Vet Squad's top tips for managing dogs with picky appetites.

Contents:

1. Breeds predisposed to fussy eating
2. First rule out underlying medical issues
3. Why are some dogs fussy eaters?
4. How to manage fussy eating
5. Tips for selecting a new food

Breeds predisposed to fussy eating

While most dogs will have food preferences, small breeds tend to be fussier eaters than larger breeds. In the Vet Squad's experience the following breeds in particular can be a little pickier with their food:

• 'Oodle' breeds eg Cavoodles,Spoodles, Poodles
• Chihuahuas
• Maltese
• Dachshunds
• French bulldogs
• Pugs
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Greyhounds
• Pekingese
• Shih tzu
• Bichon frise
• Boston terrier

First thing's first: rule out underlying medical issues

First of all, it's important to ensure that a picky appetite is not actually a loss of appetite. A loss of appetite can occur due to illnesses that cause nausea, discomfort or pain, including but not limited to gastrointestinal, joint, cardiac, respiratory, renal and dental issues. If your dog is showing other signs along with a reduced interest in food, or if their 'fussy' behaviour is out of character, a vet check is recommended to rule out any medical causes. In most cases appetite improves when the underlying condition is treated or appropriately managed.

Why are some dogs fussy eaters?

While there are many reasons why a dog may be a picky eater, some of the most common are:

1. Specific personal preference

Like us, most dogs have personal preferences and may favour a certain texture, flavour and/or consistency when it comes to their food. Some dogs will take this to the extreme and refuse anything else. These dogs often eat their preferred foods with no issues but repeatedly turn their nose up at other foods.

2. Learned behaviour

Some dogs become fussier over time because they learn to wait for something better. Often owners inadvertently create this issue by giving in and offering their pet a higher-value treat if they don't eat their usual food. Feeding tasty 'human' food and changing diets too regularly can also contribute to this problem.

3. Not enough variety

While some dogs are perfectly happy to remain on the same food for life, others initially eat their food well but become bored of it after a while. These dogs will gradually show less interest in their usual food in favour of something new.

4. Anxiety

Anxiety is a common reason for a dog to be fussy with its food. Periods of change or adjustment, such as moving house or a new family member (two- or four-legged) can affect appetite. Lack of privacy when eating and noisy eating environments can trigger anxiety. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety can become reluctant to eat before or after their owners leave the house. These dogs may have a fluctuating, 'on and off' appetite, or suddenly go off their food when a stressor occurs.

5. They're not food motivated

Some dogs naturally prefer to graze on their food throughout the day rather than eat it all at once and this eating pattern can be mistaken for a picky appetite. Likewise, dogs that are attention-motivated rather than food-motivated can be misidentified as fussy eaters.

How to manage fussy eating

An effective management approach will depend on the underlying cause of your pet's fussy eating. You may need to play around with a few different suggestions to find the ones that work for you and your dog.

It's important to be persistent and consistent with your approach to feeding. Make sure everyone in the household is on board and decide how long to persist with a certain food- remember that offering too much variety right from the start can inadvertently train some fussy eaters to hold out for "yummier" food each time. We recommend committing to one type of diet for at least a few weeks and allowing your dog some time to adjust to it before making any further changes.

Always make sure to have a period of transition when introducing a food as this reduces the risk of gastrointestinal upset and increases the chance that the pet will accept the food.

Tips for creating a regular meal routine

Most fussy eaters will benefit from a regular, consistent meal routine. Anxious dogs, as well as dogs going through a big change such as recent adoption, absent owners or moving house, can easily be unsettled. For these pets, making mealtime as peaceful and predictable as possible is essential.

Tips for making meal times more exciting

As already discussed, some dogs can get bored over time of the taste or texture of their usual food. Some of this boredom may also be due to the method in which they're fed. For some pets the act of eating out of a bowl becomes boring and repetitive. In the wild, dogs would forage and hunt for their food, but in domestic life it is placed in front of them and so they miss out on the challenge of finding it for themselves.

Puzzle feeders are a great idea for any dog and help make meal time more interesting. They provide engagement and enrichment that may be lacking in standard 'food in bowl' feeding rituals. You can put their normal kibble in a puzzle feeder, and lick-mats are great options for wet food.

Slow Feeder Bowls

Interactive feeders

Feeding mats