How to Help a Fussy Dog Eat

Many dog lovers have experienced the frustration of their dog not eating. For whatever reason, your canine friend has become a fussy dog, and you’re stumped trying to figure out why. Whilst medical concerns can certainly play a part in this issue and should be ruled out, there are a number of other reasons for dogs not eating that have nothing to do with their physical health.

Helping fussy dogs become foodies is a specialist topic for Caroline Spencer, canine behaviourist with ProDog. Read on to discover insights from Caroline designed to re-ignite dinner time delight for your dogs.

Consider their instinctual eating habits

Dogs didn’t invent the bowls they eat from; humans are responsible for this modern “convenience.” Therefore, it’s helpful to realise that the natural way dogs eat is actually on flat surfaces, rather than those with a concave shape. Bowls can make eating more difficult for dogs, as they’re often unable to navigate the curves comfortably. This can cause the development of anxiety around food, and can also result in fussy dogs not eating.

Flat, natural surfaces allow dogs to eat more comfortably. This is especially true for brachycephalic breeds (flat-nosed dogs such as Pugs and French Bulldogs), large breeds who can’t open their mouths wide within the confines of a bowl, and small breeds whose vision is obscured by the sides of bowls/dishes. A flat board made of olive wood, bamboo, or natural Nevea hardwood is a great choice for feeding your fussy dog; these are all antibacterial and encourage licking, which has a natural calming effect.

Place flat boards away from corners or walls to allow for your dog to walk around them completely. This gives them a 360° view of their surroundings, helping them to feel safe whilst eating. Also, remember to wash after each use, carefully rinsing away any washing liquid residue to ensure that your dog’s fantastic sense of smell doesn’t put them off again!

Natural eating routine

Dogs can sense how you’re feeling [2], and are more likely to eat when you’re both relaxed. Yes, how you’re feeling is important, too! This method is our go-to, no-fuss approach that we recommend for fussy dogs:

• Choose a quiet half-hour at home.
• Call your dog into the room you prepare their food in and shut the door.
• Refrain from interacting with your dog. Allow them to watch you without distractions, which is how they learn best.
• Play some calming music such as soft rock, classical, or reggae on low volume.
• For some dogs warming their food by adding a splash of bone broth may help.
• Place their food in dollops across their feeding board.
• Put their food down without asking anything of them (this helps to keep anxiety/pressure to a minimum).
• Step four paces away and sit down with your back facing your dog’s food.
• Do something quiet to occupy yourself.
• If your dog comes to you at any point, turn your face away from them to avoid eye contact (they will then return to their food).
• When your dog comes back a second time, pick up their board and put any remaining food back in the fridge.
• Repeat this process at every meal time. By the third day they should be eating their normal portion.
• No treats or edible enrichment until your fussy dog is eating well, then keep to conservative amounts going forward.

If your dog doesn’t finish their meal, simply pop the leftovers in the fridge until their next meal time. Stick with the routine, and they’ll gradually eat more with each meal over a period of a few days. Preferred feeding times differ with each dog; for example, anxious dogs tend to do better with the evening meal, some dogs prefer an earlier breakfast, and others like to wait until after the family’s morning routine is complete. You know your dog best, so work with their natural preferences.

NOTE: I recommend sitting in the room with your dog to avoid them becoming anxious about you disappearing, which allows them to remain relaxed and encourages eating.

Here is how ‘The Natural Eating Routine’ works in practice

Caroline Spencer, demonstrates step by step in this video.

Enrichment/forage feeding

Working for food is a natural and enjoyable activity for dogs: it gives them a sense of achievement and stimulates their minds. Wolves and wild dogs naturally forage for food between hunts [3], which you can also encourage in your pet dog. Fussy dogs may simply be bored with the easy, effortless delivery of their meals, which is why this method can be helpful:

• As with the natural eating routine, ensure the environment is relaxing and calm, and that you’re relaxed, too.
• Make time for your dog to eat whilst you sit nearby without watching them.
• Stuff a natural, hollow product such as a dried trachea, calf hoof, or buffalo horn with your dog’s meal. If you have multiple, stuff small portions of their food into a few of these.
• Put them down in the kitchen or garden, and allow your dog to dig in.
• For dogs that are more comfortable with easier foraging methods, place dollops of their food on a flat board as outlined in the natural eating routine.

Whilst all dogs are different, many times introducing a raw, species-appropriate diet is all they need to get excited about meal times again. Often dogs eat the same meals day in and day out, leaving their appetite bored and food seeming less than appealing. Likewise, their dry or canned food may simply not be providing them with the nutritional satisfaction that they need, causing them to instinctively avoid it.

Trying new and varied proteins such as ProDog’s many complete raw dog food options will not only excite their palate, but also provide them with the nutrients they need for balanced digestion and optimal health.