Speaking as a PET owner, the truth is we have all experienced this one time or another. Trust me a finicky pet can cause any pet owner to want to pull their hair out. First you start off saying to yourself “I hope nothings wrong… Please don’t be sick.” Next some of you might get into a battle of wills, a stubborn standoff of who’s going to break first and give in.
In general, most CATS & DOGS will eat the food put in front of them without much hesitation. On the other hand, there are some pets that don’t show that much enthusiasm for certain foods. It can be concerning when your pet doesn’t show interest in their food, and just turns their nose up and walks away. Here are a few reasons why this might happen and what to do to help your pets get the nutrition they need to maintain health.
First things first Make Sure Your pets are Healthy
Your first priority you is to make sure of is that your pets are in good general health. If your pet has always been a good eater and suddenly develops a diminished appetite, this is something to be concerned about immediately — especially if he/she is overweight. If they have gotten thinner recently or develops vomiting or diarrhea also, it’s time to make a visit to the veterinarian. Once any problems have been diagnosed and treated, your pets appetite should return quickly.
If health problems are not an issue, you might need to consider that your pet has acquired some bad habits (eye roll here please). Feeding your pets extra treats during the day that are tastier and more interesting than their normal diet. This can cause a finicky appetite to develop over time. If there are many people in the household that like to give your pets extra treats or slip them some special foods during the day, it can lead to some serious behavioral challenges, including obesity.
Some pets will hold out until they are given something that just tastes better than dry food. Here is where you need to make some changes and stop reinforcing the bad behavior. Human foods and excessive treats only cause weight gain and don’t provide balanced nutrition. Your pets need to eat nutritionally balanced food in proper amounts every day to maintain health. So, in this case it’s time to make some changes.
Stop feeding extra foods and special treats and stick to a daily scheduled feeding routine. Put down the proper amount of food at a regular time each day and wait. If your pets won’t eat the offered food, try again later. If they just won’t eat, and as long as he’s in good health and not an obese animal (or diabetic), wait things out a day and hopefully hunger will take over. This will help encourage their appetite for their food and after a short time they should learn that this food is the only food they will be getting every day. Be strong here you must not give in 🙂
Next check the food you are offering to make sure it’s not spoiled or out of date. This may be a reason your pets suddenly isn’t showing an interest in their food. Make sure the food you are offering is safe, nutritious, and consistent. Don’t keep changing the brand of pet food, because this can upset your pets digestive system. If you do want to try a different flavor or brand, make the switch gradually and mix some of the old with the new food until they are only eating all new food. A new flavor might just be enough to stimulate their appetite.
If your pets just won’t eat dry pet food, no matter what, canned food is acceptable. There are a few tricks you can try that might entice them to eat, however. You can try another brand or flavor of food that might taste better your pets. Mixing in a tablespoon or two of canned food to dry kibbles may provide a flavor boost. Canned pet food can be warmed slightly in the microwave (on a microwave safe dish or bowl), or you can spoon some warm water or chicken broth over the dry food to give it warmth and extra aroma.
Most of all Stay Positive and Patient
Last but not least your pets may be responding to your behavioral cues during mealtimes. They may be enjoying the extra attention you give when they don’t eat their food, trust me this only reinforces their bad behavior. Stay out of the area while your pets eat and give him a quiet, safe place to eat alone, away from distractions or competition from other pets. Offer his food for a short period of time and then take it away. This will teach your pets to eat at certain regular times and will provide a comforting routine.
Above all, be patient with your pets and watch them closely for signs of illness. Work with your veterinarian if you are ever concerned about your pets health during this process. PATIENCE, Time, self-discipline and consistency will do much to cure a finicky eater, hang in there my friends.
REMEMBER PETS RULE!
