Healthy Eating Isn’t Always Easy
Does your dog turn up their nose at a tasty bowl of food sometimes? You’re not alone! Just like kids, dogs can occasionally be picky eaters–and that’s ok. But when you’re trying to start the year off with a healthy diet for your furry friends, food aversions and weird eating habits can make it difficult to meet your dog’s health and wellness goals.
If you’ve known your dog to be a picky eater from the start, you may have found a few workarounds to entice them to chow down at dinner time. But if your dog is just starting to show signs of picky eating, or if your tricks no longer seem to work, it’s time to develop a new plan. Healthy eating is one of the foundations of your dog’s overall wellness: a complete, nutritious diet supports gut health, skin and coat, joints, muscles, and beyond. It’s crucial that you provide your dog with a full spectrum of nutrients even when they’re not in the mood for dinner.
Don’t despair when you encounter picky eating–we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about the root causes of picky eating and some easy ways to encourage your dog to eat healthy.
Identifying the Cause of Picky Eating
Some dogs are just born picky eaters. Others develop negative eating habits over time. The following are a handful of reasons why your dog may not be interested in their dinner.
Over-treating: Dogs who receive too many treats, or too many high-value treats, during a regular day may not be as interested in their regular diet.
Dental issues: A sore mouth may leave your dog disinterested in chewing their food, especially if they’re used to eating kibble.
Food aversion: If your dog has experienced an upset stomach after eating their regular diet, they may associate that food with the negative experience, causing an aversion.
Stress: Have you ever lost your appetite after a particularly stressful day? The same can happen to your dog! Undue stress and anxiety can leave dogs disinterested in a meal.
Age: As your dog ages, their appetite will diminish. This is natural, but it’s important to ensure your dog is still getting their recommended nutrients each day.
Sometimes, picky eating habits can be temporary, lasting only a day or two, but if you notice long-term lack of appetite, it’s important to check in with your vet and ensure your dog is in overall good health.
Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits
If your dog is in good health and is simply disinterested in their food bowl, there’s hope! As a dog parent, there are plenty of methods you can try to encourage your dog to eat properly.
Establish a regular routine: Dogs thrive on routine! Setting regular mealtimes when your dog can expect a tasty, healthy meal may encourage them to be more interested in their bowls. It can also help ensure that you’re not over-treating them.
Use positive reinforcement: If your dog finishes their healthy meal, that’s worth rewarding! Offer your dog a treat for leaving a clean bowl and they’ll start to look forward to dinner time.
Keep it interesting: Just as you probably don’t like eating the same thing day after day, your dog might look forward to some variety in their meals. Try changing up the proteins you offer them. Also, mix in a little bone broth to give them different textures and flavors.
How High-Quality Food Can Help
High-quality, fresh or gently cooked food can whet your dog’s appetite in a way that kibble just can’t. First of all, the way kibble is processed can eliminate a lot of the smells, tastes, and textures that make food so appealing for dogs. With natural foods, your dog gets to dig into a real tasty meal–not just a bowl of boring crunchy nuggets.
Secondly, offering whole proteins gives you more opportunity to offer your dog a variety of flavors and textures. Switch it up between turkey, chicken, and beef to keep your dog interested and excited for dinnertime.
Artificial flavors, fillers, and preservatives just don’t cut it. Just like a wholesome meal is much more delicious than a processed meal, gently cooked food can get even the pickiest of eaters to start drooling.
So, what kind of quality food should you be looking for? Start with a solid foundation, like Pawsitively Pure’s Turkey and Vegetables Dog Food. Gently cooked and packed with the nutrients your dog needs to thrive, this wholesome dinner is great for dogs of all ages and breeds and offers a tasty and healthy alternative to the usual kibble.
Need a little extra enticement? Try our dog-friendly bone broth or limited-ingredient treats to add an extra flavorful punch! In particular, bone broth is great for picky dogs as it allows them to ingest the nutrients they need even when they’re not particularly hungry.
Say Goodbye to Picky Eating with Natural Dog Food
Picky eating doesn’t have to be an issue forever! When you mix up your dog’s diet and ditch the kibble for nutrient-rich, gently cooked whole food, we have high hopes that your dog will be wagging their tail come dinner time. Be consistent with your training, try a variety of flavors and textures, and be patient–with time and encouragement, your dog will fall into a normal feeding routine. Ready to start your dog’s healthy eating journey? Visit our online shop or send us a message.