What Are the Causes of Why Dogs Have Trouble Eating Hard Dry Food?

There may be any number of reasons why a dog would have trouble eating dry food. It may not always be obvious, so the quickest and most definitive way to figure out the problem is to seek the help of a veterinarian.

  1. Causes

    • Causes may be physical or psychological. Physical problems run the gamut from mild to severe, and psychological problems can cause intense frustration for owners who must try to remedy them.

    Physical Causes

    • The most common physical causes involve the dog's teeth, mouth or jaw. A fracture, sprain or even mild pain in any one of these areas may make it difficult for a dog to chew dry food.

    Psychological Causes

    • Dogs who have been given table scraps, neglected, abused or housed in group situations may find it daunting to tackle a bowl of dry kibble. These issues must often be trained out of the dog over a period of time.

    Warning

    • In cases of rapid onset, a dog's inability to eat dry food may stem from a life-threatening allergic reaction that can close the dog's throat. If a severe problem is suspected, emergency veterinary care should be sought immediately.

    Considerations

    • Small dogs may find large pieces of dry dog food hard to chew, while large dogs may be perplexed by small pieces. The flavor, taste or texture may be off-putting if a brand has been switched or if the dog has switched from wet to dry food recently. Ask yourself if anything has changed when a dog has trouble eating his or her dry food.