blogWe all have our favourite and least-favourite foods. The Pawsr team can name a few dishes that really don’t sit well with us! However, did you know that even our dogs can be picky eaters? On occasion, our pups can turn their noses up at treats and dishes they’d normally devour without question. This isn’t always a cause for concern, though it’s worth keeping an eye on to ensure that they don’t fall into bad habits. Are you noticing that your dog is starting to get a bit choosy about what they want to eat?
Why Are Some Dogs So Picky?
The same reason that so many people are! Dogs can get easily spoiled, which means that if you’re offering them too many table scraps or human foodstuffs, they’re soon going to wonder why they ever bothered with dried dog food in the first place. If you give your dog too much of the good life, so to speak, you’re likely to find they want that lifestyle all the time!
However, you should also keep an eye on your dog’s habits just in case it may be a cause for concern. If they are off their food completely, and they are struggling to maintain their weight, there may be a reason for you to go to your vet. According to Pet WebMD, if your dog normally devours their dinner like no tomorrow, sudden pickiness could be a sign that they need support. See your vet within 48 hours of noticing changes if you can.
Of course, you should also head to a vet if you notice signs of stomach problems, vomiting or drowsiness, too.
How Can I Stop Their Pickiness?
There are a few ways, however, you can help to train a particularly fussy pup. If your dog has always shown signs of being finicky, here are some great ideas and tips you might want to put into practice.
* Show your dog that what they see is what they get. Some dogs, much like children (and even some adults!) will hold out for something better coming along. You’ll need to establish that this is all they’re getting! Leave food for a while to give them a chance to realise this and take it away after 30 – 45 minutes. Set it out again at the next mealtime and follow the process if they’re still finicky. Obviously – you should make sure they are getting something to eat at the very least!
* Try to make gradual changes to their diet if you want to wean them off treats. Start bringing in healthy, formulated dog food bit by bit.
* Sticking to a firm meal schedule is important, too. Dogs thrive on routine, and if they know when food is definitely coming, they may be less likely to show fussy behaviour. It’s worth a go!
* Do also avoid giving treats from your own plate. Not only is this potentially rather dangerous depending on what you’re serving, it also encourages bad habits. Therefore, make sure you’re only giving your dog treats occasionally, and that they are formulated or good for them.
* This also means keeping food separate – as in, food for them, and food for you. Some dogs will go all-out to beg at the table – but you have to be resilient and firm. Otherwise, they are just going to fall back into bad habits!
They’ll Come Around!
Dogs will adapt easily to routine. However, you must be strong and resolute. Don’t let your dog follow you into your own bad habits, either! Soon, you’ll find that your pup develops eating habits that won’t involve them turning their noses up every five seconds! 
