Puppy Doesn't Like Dog Food

Learn What Motivates Your Puppy

Dog doesn’t like other dogs eat food with her

Suppose your puppy isnt particularly motivated by food. In that case, while you can increase their drive, they may never be as responsive to a treat as, say, most Labradors.

This is a good time then to explore what really makes your dog tick.

Spend time throwing balls to see if your pup has a strong instinct to chase, and then take the time to teach them to fetch. This video gives a great breakdown of how to teach the game:

Once your puppy loves chasing a ball, it can be a great motivator to ask for certain behaviors. As can any other favorite toy, especially ones that squeak.

Likewise, a working breed like a Border Collie can thrive when taking part in a sport or job that uses their natural instincts, such as herding.

If your puppy doesnt seem to be motivated by much of anything and they seem a bit on the lazy side, you can read this article on how to train a lazy puppy.

Remember, food training should only form part of your puppys obedience training. As your puppy progresses, they should do more and more from conditioning and less in exchange for treats.

The ultimate goal is to phase most of the food reinforcement out over time, although treats for good behavior can always be something to throw in here and there.

Keep Your Dog At A Healthy Weight To Prevent Overheating

Overweight dogs have a harder time keeping cool in warm weather and are at greater risk of overheating. Extra weight is an even bigger concern for brachycephalic breeds during the summer. These breeds struggle in warmer weather to breathe, but the situation is worse when they are overweight and it is hot.

Help your dog by keeping them in an ideal body condition. Measuring their food, monitoring the number of treats , and stopping all table food will help them drop some weight. Your veterinarian can help guide you on how much to feed your dog and what your pets ideal body weight is.

What Are Some Possible Reasons My Dog Wont Eat

There are a range of possible reasons a dog may not want to eat, from minor to severe. And if your dog is newly adopted, he or she may be dealing with several appetite-squelchers all at once.

Of course, its not just new rescue dogs who sometimes refuse to eat. The potential reasons behind a newly adopted dog not eating can actually affect any dog. Consider the possibilities below.

Stress from a Change in Surroundings

When a dog is adopted into a new home, whether its a full-grown adult or a new puppy, not eating right away could be due to stress. That might not sound so surprising, since a dogs whole world changes after adoption.

But actually, even a singular change can be a stressor for any dog, newly adopted or not. That includes a new home, possibly in a new city with different street sounds a new pet, human family member or house guest a new feeding schedule or even a new neighbor. Likewise, if someone in the family has recently moved out or passed away, or even left town temporarily for a trip, that can be just as stressful. And stress can affect canines appetites much like it does humans.

Knowing what type of food your dog finds most irresistible can help during these times, even if its not what you prefer to serve normally. For example, if you usually serve dry food but your dog refuses to eat when you leave for a trip, you might advise your dog sitter to serve all canned food while youre gone.

New Medication or Vaccination

New Food Introduced Too Fast

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Warm / Mash The Meal To Increase Flavor

Many picky dogs can be persuaded to eat their meals just by warming them up. This procedure is frequently used on senior dogs who refuse to eat.

Heating food Enhances the flavor and releases a pungent odor. It makes your dogs food taste better, which stimulates his hunger.

Its as easy as stirring dry kibble through a small amount of hot water, bone broth or goats milk and letting it sit until it gets mushy.

If youre planning to microwave something, avoid using a stainless steel bowl since it will spark. Instead, use a plastic or ceramic bowl and then transfer it to your dogs dish.

You should never feed your dog food that is too hot. Allow your dogs food to cool before serving if it has been overheated.

Did you successfully get your dog to eat his kibble with one of these tips? We hope you did.

How To Stop This From Happening Again

Viral Video: If your dog doesnt like his dog food

Many pet owners ask, âHow can I avoid having a dog that wonât eat or will only eat their treats?â The answer is to avoid underlying causes and monitor your petâs diet. For example, if your dog is not eating because they got into the trash, ate some spoiled food, or have an upset stomach, the recommendation would be to ensure that your dog doesnât have access to the trash can. Another example is, if your dog is not eating due to pain from arthritis, work with your veterinarian to treat and prevent pain.

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Keep Your Dog Happy And Healthy With The Right Dry Dog Food

While it may be alarming to discover that your dog refuses to eat his food, it may just be his reaction to poor-quality dog food products. Always be sure to rule out any health problems with a visit to the vet before you switch to different food. However, if all seems to be well with your pet, let him go back to enjoying mealtime with the best dry dog food for his needs.

How To Keep Your Dog Cool During Hot Weather

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Summer is my favorite season. The pollen is gone, trees and flowers are in full bloom, and it is HOT outside!

While our dogs may love basking in the sunshine with us, this time of year means we need to take extra precautions to prevent them from heatstroke or heat exhaustion. This is especially true for flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus, among others.

None of us like to see our pets suffering from the heat. So, when summer temperatures rise, we need to be sure to provide them with easy ways to stay cool.

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What To Do If Your Dog Does Not Like Their Food

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Dogs can be picky like humans and may reject the food that you give them. This can become a big problem. If your dog is refusing to eat they may become malnourished which can lead to a myriad of serious health issues.

So you need to make sure that you always feed your dog the best dog food available so they will not only get the nutrition they need but will also enjoy the flavor.

Summary Of What To Do If Your Dog Wont Eat

There are a myriad of reasons why your dog might stop eating, many of which are relatively common and shouldnt be anything to worry about if your dog resumes eating after a few days. If your dog stops eating for more than a couple of days or experiences any other concerning signs, you should contact your vet right away. We hope these tips are useful. As a Small Door member, you can get in touch with us via the app 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns about your dog. We are here to help!

Medical Causes For Anorexia In Dogs

Medical causes of anorexia include any condition or illness that causes a dog to not want to eat. They can include hundreds, maybe even thousands, of potential issues. The medical disorders that can cause anorexia include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, kidneys, airway, lung or blood, and anything that can cause pain. Information about some of the most common causes include:

Gastrointestinal Diseases â The gastrointestinal tract includes the system that takes food in, processes it, and eliminates it. This includes everything from the mouth, esophagus , the stomach, the small intestine, and finally the large intestine. A disease of any of these areas can cause a dog to not want to eat and are commonly associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract include infections of the bacterial, viral, or parasitic variety. Examples of infections are hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and viruses, such as coronavirus or parvovirus. Additional diseases of the GI tract include tumors, such as cancer, ulcerations, inflammatory diseases, food allergies, ingestion of indigestible objects that cause a âforeign bodyâ, ingestion of spoiled food or trash, or even changes in food. Diseases of the mouth, such as bad teeth or ulcerations, can also cause pain and lack of appetite.

Diseases of the liver include hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, toxic reactions from drug therapies, and congenital problems, such as a Portosystemic Shunt.

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When Is Peanut Butter Harmful To Dogs

As much peanut is delicious and safe for dogs, some ingredients used may cause problems. Some brands use xylitol as a substitute for sugar, which can be deadly to dogs even though it is harmless to humans. Fortunately, most peanut butter brands do not use it, but that does not mean you will not find it on shelves. If you know you enjoy sharing your peanut butter with your dog, then confirm you are getting a brand that does not have xylitol.

So how does this ingredient affect a dog? Once a dog takes xylitol, the compound causes the pancreas to rapidly release insulin, leading to a significant drop in blood sugar. The effects include general weakness, disorientation, seizures, and tremors. If the amount consumed is a lot, it can lead to liver failure.

Explore Nutritious Recipes And Find One Your Dog Loves

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Every Rachael Ray® Nutrish® recipe is made with ingredients you approve of for nutrition you trust and taste your dog loves.

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Monitor Any Changes In Behavior

If your dog stops eating abruptly then its possible there is an underlying reason behind that.

Start by checking is there has been a deviation in their behavior.

Has their sleeping pattern changed?
Is their poop smelly?
What is the color of their urine?

Asking yourself these questions can give you leads into the apparent change of behavior.

For example, if there is a change in your dogs stool either in terms of color, smell, or the number of bathroom trips, you should schedule a visit to the vet to examine your dog and see if the dog is suffering from a specific illness.

Your Dog Wont Eat But Drinks Water

If your dog wont eat but drinks water, give it a day or two. Its possible that your pet merely has an upset stomach. If you notice other issues in behavior, you should call a vet.

Perhaps your pooch got into the trash and ate something that isnt agreeing with him, perhaps he ate a bug, or maybe just ran around too much. Avoid giving your dog treats at this time, but rather wait until they are ready to eat their actual food.

Your Dog Has A More Serious Illness

Infectious diseases, like parvovirus, or conditions such as pancreatitis can be other reasons for your dog not eating, says Teller. Your pup may even have a life-threatening illness like gastric dilatation and volvulus, which causes the stomach to twist up so nothing passesor even cancer. When your dog is really sick, shell probably also be lethargic, throw up a lot, have diarrhea or even bloody stools, or cough and sneeze. The time to worry is when your dog isnt behaving normally, especially if she refuses treats or people food or if her appetite waxes and wanes, McClosky notes. Then youll want to alert the vet statespecially if you see any of these 10 signs your dog is sick.

How Much Salmon Oil Does Your Dog Need

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Important! If your dog has never had salmon oil before, then you may want to start with a 1/4 dose before working your way up. Some dogs can get sick, experience diarrhea or vomit if given a full dose for the first time.

How much salmon oil should you give your dog each day?

For the exact amount you should speak to your veterinarian, who will take your dogs breed, diet, and lifestyle into consideration before making a recommendation.

Speaking to your veterinarian is essential if you are supplementing salmon oil to treat a medical condition.

But if you want an approximate guideline, the answer to this question can be found on your bottle of salmon oil.

If you check the label, youll see something like this:

These dosing instructions come from our top pick, Zesty Paws Salmon Oil. Your salmon oil may differ.

Are you dosing your senior dog due to arthritis? Then you may want to use the following instructions as outlined by the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University.

Please note that the dose is based on the combined EPA + DHA amount in your fish oil. Refer to the label on the bottle for the exact amount of EPA and DHA in your salmon oil.

Weight

What Can I Feed My Sick Dog That Wont Eat

If your dog is sick and wont eat, its tempting to want to force them to eat. But how do you get your sick dog to eat?

First off, if your dog isnt eating, give it some time. Your dog will be ok if it misses a meal or two, as long as its still drinking water. It could be something simple like indigestion that will pass quickly.

If it doesnt pass, you can try encouraging your pooch to eat by making the food irresistible. Add a treat to their normal food or heat up the food to release those delicious aromas these also help when you need to sneak in some medication.

For feeding a sick dog that wont eat, most vets recommend bland chicken with white rice or white meat from a rotisserie chicken. Other options are sweet potatoes, unseasoned pumpkin , bone broth, and meat-based baby food.

Lastly, you can try hand-feeding your sick dog. This can be very comforting to them and will help get them to at least take in a little food until they feel better.

Avoid Free Feeding Your Dog’s Meals

Leaving your dog’s food out for them to snack on whenever they feel like it might seem like a good way to get them to eat. However, free-feeding your dog makes it impossible to notice changes in appetite that could be signs of an underlying medical problem. Allowing your pup to “graze” throughout the day also means it’s harder to give medications that must be given with food, can cause potty training problems, and, if not carefully monitored, can increase the chance of obesity. Plus, it’s difficult to know who ate who’s food if you have multiple pets in your home. You don’t want your food-obsessed Lab snarfing down your senior Poodle’s prescription-diet kibble.

If you’re making the switch from free-feeding your dog to specific mealtimes, set aside 15 minutes for your dog to eat their meal. If they don’t eat it, pull up their food until the next mealtime.

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Talk To Your Veterinarian First

If your dog has started to reject their food, it may be a sign of a larger illness. Dogs can reject their food as a result of a range of illnesses. Everything from minor issues like dental disease to larger problems like kidney failure and cancer can cause a dog to lose their appetite. So before you try anything else you need to take your dog to the veterinarian to get a full check up and make sure they arent rejecting their food because they are ill.

Did You Just Adopt Your Dog Recently

A newly adopted dog can take days or weeks to settle into their new home. Anxiety is a common cause of temporary inappetence, so its not unusual for a new addition to the household to refuse food for the first day or two.

It is important to ensure that they are given a quiet place to eat, away from other pets or children that may interrupt them. As long as they are otherwise energetic and not having vomiting or diarrhea, its okay to give them a day or two to get used to their new home before worrying about them not eating.

However, if they are lethargic, vomiting, or having diarrhea, or go more than 48 hours without eating anything, they should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

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Puppy Doesn’t Like Dog Food