How to Handle Picky Eating in Dogs

There are a few reasons why a dog might be picky about its food. Perhaps it has been spoiled by being fed human food and will no longer eat dog food, or maybe the dog is sick and has lost its appetite. It could be that the dog doesn't like the brand of food that you are buying. When you aren't sure what the reason is behind your pet's finickiness, there are a few things you can do to figure out what the problem is and get your dog back to its old eating habits.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog vitamins
  • Canned or semi-moist dog food
  • Kibble
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check to see if your dog will still eat that snacks that he normally enjoys. If it is vomiting or has diarrhea or appears tired, take it to the vet.

    • 2

      Check the dog food you feed your pet. Smell it to see if it has any foul odors. Also check the expiration date to be certain that the food is still good.

    • 3

      Switch to a quality dog foods that is nutritionally balanced. Try different kinds of food to find one that the dog enjoys eating. You should feed your dog dried food mainly, but you can add in a couple of spoonfuls of canned or semi-moist food mixed as well. Dry dog is better for your dog because it has more fiber and helps to maintain a healthier digestive system for your pet. However, dogs generally prefer the taste of canned food, so mixing the two together will give you the best of both.

    • 4

      Do not feed your dog table scraps and keep its human food consumption to a minimum. If your dog eats human food too often, it will become picky and may stop eating his food. Also human food generally has a higher salt content than dog food, which can be difficult for your pet to digest. Foods such as chocolate, onions, garlic and raisins are actually toxic to dogs.

    • 5

      Add vitamins to your dog's food. Not only will this add nutrients, but most dog vitamins also come flavored to make them appealing to your dog.

    • 6

      Feed your dog at the same time everyday. According to Darcy Lockman, of the Dog Daily, this will give your dog's appetite a regular schedule.

    • 7

      Feed your dog a limited number of treats each day and at the same time. This will keep it from getting full and losing its appetite.