Hint: It’s not about taste, STOP adding toppers
Dogs are rarely “picky,” instead, they’re communicating. Remember, dogs are scavengers, meaning many would happily eat TRASH (but please don’t feed garbage!)
Truth is, it’s more likely that your dog is trying to tell you something is wrong, but “big pet food” loves to market toppers and additives to entice your dog to eat *instead* of helping you understand what’s really going on. Below are reasons your dog is likely “picky” and what to do about it based on what I’ve learned from my vet chat and expert talk series.
Your dog isn’t “picky,” instead they likely:
1. Learned That Eating Hurts 😓
If my dogs turn their nose up at their food, last thing I do is try and force them to eat it (eg. with toppers). Sure, maybe they’re not hungry, or, it could be medical or health related. Examples: dental pain, gum abscess, nausea, digestion issues or tummy pain. This is information I need to know.
Especially if this is not addressed early, over time, they learn to avoid meals because they learn eating leads to discomfort. This is why working with a vet as early as possible is key.
WHAT TO DO: Work with a vet: Click here!
2. Have Allergies? 🤧
Interestingly, true food allergies are not as common as most think – but some dogs have food intolerances and sensitivities. Because dogs are resilient, they can eat an ingredient or protein they’re sensitive too for awhile without showing obvious signs of discomfort – but overtime, they learn the food causes pain so they appear “picky.”
Again, this is why I work with a vet and I personally use a food intolerance test (my favorite below) to identify possible food sensitivities. This is a big reason I helped my Finnegan with his pancreatitis scare (we learned he had fish sensitivities and removing that made a huge difference)!
💜 Food sensitivity test (code: FUSARO): CLICK HERE
3. Are STRESSED! 😰
Dogs that are worried, stressed, fearful or anxious may not eat. Pay attention to their environment, has their routine changed? How has your stress been? Are they getting enough mental stimulation? Have you started implementing aversive training, such as prong collars?
Changes in their life can impact appetite, and stepping back to assess lifestyle changes can be an eye opener. If you aren’t sure, you can test your pet at home for stress levels (see below).
💜 Pet Stress Test (code: FUSARO): CLICK HERE
4. Too much food?! 🥘
Your dog is SMART! Some dogs skip a meal due to temporary tummy upset, and some skip meals because their body knows they’re overweight. This is why we need to aim to UNDERSTAND a behavior before jumping to “solutions.”
According to Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over HALF of dogs are overweight!! This is shocking because obese dogs can lose 2 years of their lifespan – and already don’t have enough time as it is. Working with your vet and checking below body score test can help determine if your dog is overweight.
💜 Body score test: CLICK HERE
TOPPERS I LOVE:
If I add a topper, it’s less about making my dog eat and more about adding NUTRIENTS to my dog’s bowl *(See below). Food refusal can be a red flag you can’t afford to miss. And yes, sometimes it could be as simple as a taste preference, but it’s important to rule out and health or medical concerns before jumping to “toppers” and food enhancers.
💜 Toppers & Supplements I love: CLICK HERE
Bonus tip:
Don’t forget, your dog has a much better sense of smell than you or I. This means they may smell something wrong with the food (eg. went rancid), which is why I never try to force my dog to eat a meal. If they aren’t interested in eating, I am more interested in WHY.
DISCLAIMER: Like all my content, this is NOT intended to replace your veterinarian’s recommendations. This is not intended to treat, prescribe, recommend or cure. This is for informational purposes to share with your veterinarian. Everything I share is based on my personal experience with my dogs. Always consult with your veterinarian, a professional and/or qualified dog trainer before making changes to your dog’s diet, health routine, or behavior plan. Some links may include affiliate links.
