Dog food is so cheap nowadays, isn’t it? Even in Australia, which is known as one of the most expensive countries to live, there is plenty of variety, and you can find even tasty, nutritious food that doesn’t cost too much.
In Australia, more than half of all people own a pet, dog or cat. And if you’re among the Australians with a picky furry companion, then you’re in quite a bit of trouble. But you already know this. Because how many times haven’t you watched your dog only sniff and lick the food that you so meticulously selected? And how many times haven’t you tried one dog food after another only to experience the same results?
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They say (and who exactly is they? Why, the dog specialists, of course) that dogs that turn their nose up and walk away from their food were probably fed too many treats or table scraps. Because dog food is usually less exciting for dogs than homemade foods, they tend to refuse what you feed them hoping they’ll receive the more exciting option. So here’s a good starting point to handle your dog’s picky eating habits:
Limit the number of treats
And along with feeding your dog fewer treats, avoid feeding him from the table. Not only are table foods not so good for dogs (in fact, some of them are even toxic), but feeding your pet table scraps, especially before feeding him regular food will have him accustomed to this sort of habit.
As a result, your dog will refuse pet food waiting for more of that delicious cooked meal that has him nosing around the table every time you sit down to eat. If you want to treat your dog to some leftovers, do so after he’s had his regular food, and in moderation.
Train your dog to this
If most picky dogs refuse their regular food hoping that this way they’ll receive the better option, then you need to help your dog understand he only gets one, that is, one option. Here’s how to do that.
Let your dog’s food out for about half an hour, and if he’s not eaten it, take it away. Don’t worry about him starving because most dogs will eat just about anything when they’re hungry. The trick here is to stick to this strategy. So when he gets hungry, your dog will eat. This is a tried and tested method, although it may take a while, but the effort and the disappointment will be worth it.
Try feeding your dog a combination of dry, tinned and fresh food
Instead of jumping from one food type to another, consider combining various types of foods like fresh meat with wet food and some dry formulas. A trick with dried food, if your dog goes on a hunger strike every time if you feed him, is to soak it up in a little bit of water and process it in a food processor to make it resemble wet food.
Combining foods will ensure optimal nutrition and will provide more variety for your dog.
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Before anything else, always consult a veterinarian if your dog is or becomes picky with food. Sometimes, picky eating is a bad habit result, other times it is a result of out of date food, but it can also be a sign of illness. Stay alert and if you observe any sign that something is wrong, schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian to address the issue.