4 Likely Reasons Your Pet Dog Is Such a Picky Eater
Dogs can be picky eaters, just like children. So it’s going to be an exciting challenge for you to figure out what’s truly going on. Here are six likely reasons your pet dog is such a picky eater.
Certain Odors
Dogs’ noses smell 100,000 times better than human noses. They’re so powerful they can detect one drop of a foreign substance in a liquid mass measuring the size of 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
That means regular odors we smell are more than magnified through their noses. If you have the following scents on their food, they could be the reason why they’re not eating what you get them from a pet supply store:
- Chili peppers: The capsaicinoids found in chili (which make them spicy) cause itching and irritation.
- Citrus: Its sweet, fresh scent is abrasive on a dog’s respiratory tract, most probably due to its acidic properties, which canines can perceive.
- Vinegar: This substance follows the same reasoning as citrus, except without the sweet, fresh scent. If its odor is pungent to humans, it is 100,000 times more so for dogs.
Their Breed
“Different dog sizes mean different appetites,” says American Kennel Club Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein. That means the amount of food you eat must match their breeds and sizes. Your precious pup could be picky because they are fed incorrect portions.
For instance, you may be feeding your large dog too little, and its pickiness signals they need bigger portions, or your cute, small canine isn’t taking a bite from its bowl because it finds the enormous serving overwhelming.
When looking for dog food from a pet supply store, remember this:
- Labradors, Cane Corsos, Sighthounds, and other large/heavy canine breeds have big appetites. 51- to 100-lbs. dogs must be fed between two to four cups of dry food.
- Smaller, lighter species like Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians require one to two cups of dry food.
Their Environment
The manner and time in which you feed your dog contribute to their picky behavior. Prioritize consistency in their feeding routine with the following guidelines:
Create and strictly follow their mealtime schedule.
If they do not eat their food within 15 to 20 minutes, take away their bowl. Not doing so means it’s okay for them to continue with bad eating habits and contaminate their food.
Do not reward them with treats, especially if they have not eaten a proper meal. It encourages them to continue disrupting their mealtimes.
Their Diet
Pet parents must also observe what they feed their dogs as they could be the main reason for being picky eaters. Feeding them human food instead of dog food disrupts their diet and leads to several health problems.
A dog’s primary source of energy is protein, unlike humans who derive power from glucose. As such, rice and bread are no-nos because they cause diabetes. Low-quality dog food will cause renal failure because its formulation is too salty. Feeding them either causes their taste buds and bodies to get used to a formulation not made for dogs.
Hopefully, it’s not yet too late to reverse this incorrect behavior. Avoid giving your dogs human food and table scraps. Instead, we recommend giving your high-quality dog food and treats from a trusted pet supply store as they formulated specifically to meet their dietary needs.
Last Thoughts
Picky eating in dogs can be corrected by making changes in their diet and environment. Doing this ensures they have a much better quality of life while receiving the proper nutrition in every meal.
If you’ve tried solving these problems and your pet’s pickiness persists, set an appointment with EarthWise Pet Fremont’s in-house dietitian and nutrition specialists! We offer a variety of pet supplies and dog grooming and self-wash services in Fremont and Seattle, Washington.