Ensuring a picky eater feels safe and comfortable will keep them open-minded to trying to eat. If a dog’s food is constantly changing, served in an unfamiliar environment, or if there is harassment from other pets, you might notice changes in the dog’s eating behavior. Just like humans, some dogs express emotions through changes in eating habits. Picky eating can also result from changes at home, anxiety, and other stressors. If you suspect any of these to be the cause, a trip to the vet is in order before you can begin to get your dog back on track with food. Poor dental hygiene over time, or playing with something like a stick or a toy with sharp edges, can often be the culprit. If they look sensitive, tender, or painful, it could be causing the dog’s lack of enthusiasm for food. If you’ve noticed your dog becoming increasingly tentative with their food, one of the first steps to take is to check that their mouth, tongue, and gums look healthy. Similar symptoms can be seen with food allergies, although excessive scratching due to chronic itchiness is more common.Īnother reason your dog may be displaying signs of picky eating is the presence of an oral injury or disease. Food intolerances can cause dogs discomfort for hours after eating, and may lead to hesitant eating or digestive problems such as gas, vomiting, and diarrhea. There are some conditions that can give your dog the appearance of pickiness, even if they actually do want to eat. “Generally, there is something they will eat.” The list of potential medical causes of picky eating is long, and can range from serious illnesses like cancer, kidney or liver issues, and pyometra (an infection of a female dog’s reproductive tract) to dental complications, pain, or gastrointestinal disorders. “Rarely will a pet just refuse to eat just to refuse,” says Mason Romero, DVM. If a pet is refusing to eat, there might be an underlying medical reason.
There are many factors that can contribute to a lack of enthusiasm around mealtime, but picky eating can be a sign of a significant health problem, so contact your veterinarian if this is a new or worsening behavior for your dog, or it’s associated with other symptoms. Is picky eating a sign of a serious issue? So, let’s examine the potential causes of food-related fussiness, and what you can do to help. And at its worst, picky eating can be a sign of an underlying medical issue or environmental stressor.
Picky eating isn’t always a major cause for concern, but mealtime should be one of the best bits of a dog’s day. And it’s likely not much fun for the eater either, which is why it’s important to take the time to find a solution. But for owners of picky eaters, mealtime can be extremely frustrating to deal with. Some dogs inhale everything you put in front of (or frankly-anywhere near) them. However, a good, consistently hearty appetite is not universal. While every dog is different-in appearance, in weight, in personality, and quirks-we think of all dogs as having one thing in common: a love for food.
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