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Does it seem like your dog suddenly has lost interest in eating food? Or do they knock their bowl over out of boredom with their food? While it could mean you have a picky eater on your hand, changes in appetite could also signal a greater health problem that should be addressed right away, particularly in young puppies, senior dogs, or pets with known underlying health conditions.
Is My Dog a Picky Eater or Behaving Normally?
鈥淭he saying goes, 鈥楽ome dogs eat to live, other dogs live to eat,'鈥� says Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinarian for the American Kennel Club.
Some eating habits can be tied to your dog鈥檚 genetics. Breeds like Pugs and Labradors are notorious for having ravenous appetites, says Dr. Klein. Other dogs, like Sighthounds, have typical appetites, but due to their fast metabolisms, they gain little to no weight.
When you feed your dog, how long does it take your pet to finish? The answer to that question is usually a good indicator of whether they鈥檙e being a picky eater. Dogs that don鈥檛 empty their food bowls within a certain amount of time, usually about 20 minutes, are more likely to be considered 鈥減icky eaters,鈥� according to Dr. Klein.
Another sign of picky eating? Dogs that refuse to eat their own food but are perfectly happy to accept human table scraps may also fall into that category of 鈥減icky eater,鈥� says Dr. Klein.
鈥淥f course, one has to be sure there is no underlying medical condition causing this erratic appetite,鈥� he adds, noting that you should always contact your veterinarian if your dog seems uninterested in eating for longer than 24 hours.
How Environment Impacts Appetite
While some breeds are known to have heartier appetites, many of your dog鈥檚 eating habits are likely tied to their environment, Dr. Klein explains. Though feeding your dog may sound straightforward, how and when you give them their can affect how much they eat.
To avoid picky eating behavior, Dr. Klein recommends creating a consistent feeding routine:
- Set and stick to a mealtime schedule to the degree possible
- Leave food out for no longer than 15 to 20 minutes
- If your dog doesn鈥檛 eat anything, take the away
- Don鈥檛 give your pet any more food or treats until their next scheduled feeding time
鈥淟eaving food out long term encourages bad eating habits and is unsanitary,鈥� Dr. Klein explains.
Stress, absent pet owners, or social and emotional upheaval to a pet鈥檚 daily routine could also explain why your dog isn鈥檛 eating.
How Diet Impacts Appetite
If the your dog is eating a complete and balanced diet, has a healthy weight, and their stool looks normal, then your dog likely doesn鈥檛 have any problems with the food you鈥檙e serving, says Dr. Klein.
Some dogs, on the other hand, may have dietary sensitivities or food allergies, which could explain their appetite.
Any sudden changes to your dog鈥檚 feeding could cause problems like gastroenteritis (diarrhea with or without vomiting). To avoid this, any change to your dog鈥檚 diet should be done gradually, transitioning between one type of food to another over the course of a few days.
If you鈥檙e concerned about your dog鈥檚 appetite, always discuss what steps to take with your veterinarian before making any changes, says Dr. Klein.
When Could Picky Eating Signal a Health Issue?
As a general rule: you should consult your veterinarian if your dog experiences a significant appetite change that lasts longer than 12 to 24 hours and doesn鈥檛 return to normal, says Dr. Klein.
There are some exceptions to this guideline. Families with puppies or dogs that meet the following criteria should contact their dog鈥檚 vet immediately for advice:
- Young puppies less than 6 months of age
- Dogs experiencing change of appetite accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea
- Dogs with diabetes
- Dogs (especially senior dogs) that seem to want to eat but do not, or will only eat soft food
鈥淚n these cases, any missed meal or decrease in appetite should be an alert to the owner to notify a veterinarian as soon as possible for advice,鈥� explains Dr. Klein.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.