Dog turning their nose up at dinner? Here’s what’s really going on, and the simple fix most owners miss.
Fussy eating is one of the most common complaints dog owners raise, and if your dog’s given you the cold shoulder at dinner time, you’re not alone.
The Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) has advice on this, and the good news is it’s rarely about the food itself. Here’s what’s usually going on, and the common fixes.
Too many treats
If treats make up a big chunk of the day, your dog simply isn’t hungry at mealtime. Keep treats to a small share of daily intake and watch their appetite come back.
Mealtime competition
In households with more than one dog, some will go off their food when they feel crowded. Give each dog their own space to eat.
Temperature
Some dogs are genuinely picky about food straight from the fridge. A few minutes on the bench to reach room temperature is a small change that often makes a big difference.
Switching brands too often
This is the big one. Chopping and changing food to tempt a fussy eater usually backfires, training them to hold out for something better. The fix isn’t a new food every fortnight, it’s picking one good one and sticking with it.
Of course, if fussiness comes on suddenly or your dog seems off in any other way, that’s a vet visit, not a diet debate.
Now, the solutions
Set a routine. Feed at the same time and place each day, leave the bowl down for a short time then remove it, whether it’s been touched or not.
Take the chill off before serving. A Nutri-Mate roll stored in the fridge as recommended, then given a few minutes to come up to temperature, tends to go down a lot better.
Pick one reliable food to stick with. If your dog’s a bit particular, our Chicken, Rice & Vegetables roll is a gentle, easy favourite to start with. Got a dog with a sensitive tummy behind the fussiness? Our Kangaroo and Salmon rolls are designed with those dogs in mind.
Turns out your dog isn’t broken, they’re just very good at negotiating. Time to call their bluff.
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