My dog can be fussy – what should I do?Updated a month ago

It can be frustrating and concerning if your dog won’t eat, so we have worked with behaviourists and our vet team to compile a few hints and tricks you can try!
  
Firstly, you want to eliminate a medical issue. A decreased appetite in dogs can be a sign of illness. It could also be that your dog doesn’t want to eat because something in their mouth is causing pain - a broken or loose tooth for example, or in a small number of cases it can be an abscess or tumour. Recent vaccinations can also cause a temporary loss of appetite.

Once you’ve eliminated any medical issues, give the following ideas a try:

➡️ One simple, and overlooked tip is to try different bowls and different locations; some dogs have a preference for a steel bowl, some a fancy porcelain dish! And some dogs will only eat in a safe, quiet space - away from other pets or children. Some dogs object to eating near a strong source of smell such as an air freshener, a vase of flowers or a cat litter tray. Remember, a dog's nose can be 100,000 times more sensitive than ours.

Two of our dogs will only eat their meals direct from the Years tray - they won't touch the food if it's served in a bowl! I'm sure there is an explanation for this, it's uncertain at the moment. But we have another customer with a story that could offer a possible explanation: her dog doesn't like to eat if his collar-tag clangs against the bowl. Perfectly understandable, but unless you were aware you would just assume he was being fussy. The same customer had a foster dog who wouldn't eat from a metal bowl, as she could see her reflection moving and it scared her! 

So the bowl should be the first thing to experiment with - try feeding from different surfaces and receptacles, and in different locations.

➡️ On the topic of bowls, many dog owners are surprised to learn that the height of their dog’s food bowl can make a big difference in comfort, especially for certain breeds or aging pups. While traditional floor-level bowls are fine for many dogs, others may benefit from a more ergonomic option: an elevated dog bowl. 

Think about how you’d feel eating your meals off the floor every day. For large dogs, older pets, or dogs with certain health issues, bending all the way down to eat can cause discomfort in the neck, spine, hips, or joints. Over time, that discomfort can make a dog hesitant to eat—even if they’re hungry.

Dogs that may benefit from an elevated bowl are large and giant breeds, deep-chested dogs, flat-faced breeds, senior dogs or those with arthritis, joint issues or back problems.

➡️ A great tip to try is to try warming the food to release more of the aromas of the ingredients - just place some food into a microwave-safe bowl and gently heat for 10 seconds at a time, be sure to stir well to avoid hot spots.

➡️ If your dog prefers a wetter dish, or if they have poor teeth or a delicate mouth then adding a little warm water can help. Using a tasty gravy can be even better - our Taste+ sprinkles are great for this. They are designed to either be sprinkled on to food or mixed with water to make a delicious gravy. The flavours and aromas are specifically designed to get dogs olfactory nerves tingling! 

We also have our new range of indulgent Broths and Gravies - four varieties, all rich in collagen for joint health.

➡️ An alternative to gravy is to try adding some of your dog’s favourite treats (our Brainy Bites are great for this - break them up and sprinkle them!) Don’t give them treats before dinner though!

➡️ Another trick that can work for playful pups is to use a stuff toy like a Kong bone or a licki-mat to make mealtimes fun - serve the usual food and usual portion, but bringing a game element to meal times can really make a difference for play-oriented pooches!

➡️ If your dog is motivated by praise then make sure you tell them what a good dog they are when they finish a meal.

➡️ Keeping a food diary of what recipes have been a hit or haven't quite hit the spot can really help, as well as noting any of the above ideas if you used them for that meal, or changes in schedule.

➡️ Before you blame your dog's tastebuds, take a look under their paws... and under their bowl. Believe it or not, what’s beneath your dog’s food may be causing more stress than what’s in it.

For dogs, eating should be simple, but if their bowl slides around, or they can’t get proper traction while they eat, it becomes a challenge. Slippery tile or hardwood floors, especially when paired with a lightweight bowl, can make mealtimes feel unstable and stressful. Luckily, this is an easy fix; use a non-slip bowl, mat or change the surface you are feeding your pup on. 

➡️ Maybe you have to ask yourself the question; is your dog fussy or just playing you for chicken? Dogs are natural opportunists. If refusing a meal a few times results in something tastier appearing in their bowl, they learn fast: “Hold out = get chicken.” To outsmart your little con artist, make sure to set out a structured meal routine: leave the food down for 15–20 minutes. If it’s not eaten, pick it up and don’t offer anything else until the next scheduled meal. Dogs are much less picky when they realise there’s no second offer coming.

➡️ Finally, and this is possibly the most important tip: avoid feeding an alternative food from the one you want them to eat - including your own food - try not to teach them that if they don't eat their own food you will come to the rescue with something else. Dogs can be very good at training us sometimes!

If they haven’t eaten their food after 15 minutes, simply take it away and cover it. Don’t give them an alternative, and do not feed them again until their next meal time. Dogs don’t necessarily need to eat every day (particularly if they’re not active), they simply may not be hungry. 

This may seem harsh but if you can crack the fussy eating habit your dog will be happier and healthier, so stick with it despite the looks and sounds they give you!

If you’ve eliminated any medical issues, it’s important to remember that if a dog is hungry, they will eventually eat fresh, quality food when offered.

Good luck!