Dogs tend not to tire of eating as long as it provides essential nutrition, but if your pup seems disinterested in her meal it’s important to assess the situation and rule out any serious health concerns.
An easy way to revive their appetite could be making a switch between dry kibble and wet food, or adding low-sodium chicken or fish broth, or offering food puzzles or reward systems as ways of encouraging them to take more interest in eating their dinner.
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They don’t have as many taste buds as humans
Ever find yourself getting tired of eating the same dish every day? That can also happen with our furry family members!
VCA Animal Hospital estimates that dogs have about 1700 taste buds compared to our roughly 10,000. But this doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy their meals or become bored of it quickly!
Animals still possess receptors for sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami flavors (the meaty taste found in foods). Furthermore, dogs can even taste water which is why you often see them with their tongue dipped into their water bowl.
An individual’s sense of smell plays an integral role in their taste experience, so mixing up their diet can be an effective way to keep things interesting while providing additional nutritional benefits they wouldn’t receive otherwise – such as helping avoid indigestion and stomach issues.
They’re being finicky
If your dog begins skipping meals or refusing food, it’s essential that they visit a veterinarian immediately. They could have an underlying medical condition, but just as likely, they could just not be hungry. If your pup has become used to frequent table scraps or treats from you, he or she could simply be waiting for something better-tasting than their usual meal plan to come along.
Change up their food or add homemade bone broth for extra taste stimulation. If they have stomach or tummy issues such as running into something on their walk or being sick from over-the-counter medication, their appetite should return once they feel better.
If the above remedies haven’t helped restore their appetite, perhaps switching up their formula might help. Just make sure they’re not already sick of eating their current choice.
They’re sick
Canines can stop eating for various reasons; this could be indicative of health or behavioral concerns, so if a dog refuses to eat it’s essential they visit their vet immediately.
Loss of appetite in dogs is often indicative of digestive distress. This could be caused by something they ate that was bad for them, food allergies or separation anxiety – though generally once their condition improves they’ll return to eating normally again.
Some dogs may refuse their regular meals in favour of table scraps and treats instead, often an indication of too much fat and sugar intake or that something else is amiss in their health. When this occurs, it’s essential that you consult your vet as soon as possible so they can diagnose the cause and provide some guidance on what you can do next.
They’re bored
Pet owners often assume their dog has become bored of its regular food when he starts rejecting its regular kibble, but that might not be the case. Perhaps your pup is getting more energy and nutrients through treats; or it could be related to an underlying health issue such as dental disease.
However, it’s always worthwhile attempting to tempt your dog with different flavours of their favourite food and mixing wet and dry food together – low-sodium beef broth or fish stock, or boiled butternut squash or sweet potatoes can make an excellent way to change up their meals and get them interested again in eating their meals! Furthermore, try hiding their meals around the house or adding it into food puzzles such as Kong or Toppl to stimulate them further – liver treats or chewables could also add variety.
