HOW TO HANDLE PICKY EATING

Lots of puppy owners claim to have a picky eater, but more often than not we've found the owner might me misreading cues or making assumptions. If not careful, before you know it owners determined to pamper their pup are literally feeding filet from their hand without really understanding the issue.If you aren't careful, it's very easy to CREATE a picky eater. Before labeling your puppy or dog as a picky eater, try these tips:

1. Make sure your food is fresh - Many dog owners rush to the store and purchase a GIANT bag of puppy food for their tiny puppy. Then, a couple of months later they are posting on Facebook about how their dog "suddenly" doesn't like their food. The puppy isn't picky, they are being fed stale and rancid food. Can you imagine buying a 50 pound bag of cheerios for your toddler - how long would it be before they refused to eat them? If you must purchase a larger bag of food, please immediately separate it in to small bags and store in an airtight container to avoid feeding your puppy old food. This will help preserve the nutritional quality and prevent refusal of rancid food. 
2. Don't worry about a few missed meals - As puppies mature, they don't need to eat as often. Many of the claims of picky eating are around 7-9 months where we see many puppies not requiring multiple meals. Many dogs are perfectly happy only eating once a day. Pay attention to whether or not your dog might be telling you he/she doesn't need a second meal. If your dog is eating one meal but not another, this is not picky eating. Also, remember that humans often eat for reasons unrelated to hunger such as stress, emotion and social reasons. Don't assume your dog needs to eat when he/she isn't hungry. 
3. Lack of food motivation - Some dogs are not motivated by food. People struggle to understand this. If your dog is a "eat to live" dog instead of a "live to eat" beggar, consider yourself lucky as this means you won't have to deal with weight gain. Work to find 1-2 treats your dog does enjoy for training purposes and then move on. Dog's do not intentionally starve themselves to death but many owners have caused dogs to be overweight by imputing human emotions on their canine friends.  
4. Be Consistent - Create a routine for your dog. Feed him/her in a dedicated space at the same time each day. Pull the food up after 10-15 minutes so the dog learns that ignored meals will not be rewarded. If you continue to offer treats after a failed meal, you are creating the problem as any dog will hold out for something better (how much kale do you want to eat with a pizza on the way?). 
5. Anxiety - Dogs eat less when they are anxious (visitors in the home, fireworks, travel). Before switching your dogs food (which can INCREASE anxiety), provide your dog with some anxiety relieving and calming aids to see if the problem resolves itself. Consider this CALM DOWN KIT from PawTree that addresses both calming and digestive issues. We also love their calming bone. 
6. Too Many Treats - We all love treats and dogs are no different. Take a careful look at how many calories your dog may be getting from training treats, table scraps / snacks and other rewards. The truth is this may be killing their appetite for their normal (i.e. plain) food at mealtime. Also, if you are offering treats when the dog refuses to eat you are sending the message that failure to eat will be rewarded. 
7. Exercise - Take your dog on a significant walk before dinner to improve appetite. Also look back at the first day you noticed the "picky eating" starting. Here is another frequent scenario: Weather or an illness prevented you from exercising your dog, then your dog doesn't complete a meal. You don't put two and two together (less exercise reduces caloric needs) and assume they don't like their food. You start offering treats or table scraps instead and before you know it, your dog is holding out because you've inadvertently trained them that refusal to eat will result in rewards. Bam - "picky eater" created from a week of rain. 
8. Medical Issues - Refusing to eat can be an indicator of a medical issue. Before switching food, watch for other signs of illness. Is your dog lethargic? Drinking properly? Aging? 

If you have considered all of these factors and determined that your dog really is a picky eater, here are the steps you should take (in order) before offering filet from your hand. 

1. Increase exercise.
2. Only provide scraps or treats IN the meal - Consider saving those special treats or table scraps and adding them to your dog's regular meal. You may also boil an egg and smash in the current food for further enticement. Provide the dog 10-15 minutes to eat and then pull the food up. If he/she does not eat during that period, don't offer and food in between meals and try again at the next meal. 
3. Try a topper or add in - Before changing food, consider using a food topper or add in that not only makes the meal more appetizing but adds additional nutrition. Here are options we have reviewed and love:
   1. PawTree Superfood Seasonings - This powerful blend of Natural Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants adds flavor to your dogs current food (helping you salvage that expense) while offering a concentrated source of 8 fruits and vegetables. We use these constantly for picky eating during pregnancy or to simply add variety. Not sure it will work? Here is a link for some free samples!
   2. Instinct Raw Mixers - Instinct has a selection of raw boost mixers that can serve multiple purposes such as adding a raw component to your dog's diet, adding flavor and solving specific diet issues (see the gut health or coat versions).
4. If a food change is inevitable, get your hand on some samples before purchasing food in large quantities. Make sure to read our puppy and dog posts on nutrition so you are looking at quality options. Try the following:
   1. Order a starter box of Ollie at 50% off to mix in or replace your current food.
   2. Contact your local boutique pet store and a PawTree Pro - both of whom can offer you some food samples to see what your dog is most interested in. 

In my twenty-five years of volunteer work in our local shelters, I have never met a picky eater or a dog who intentionally starved themselves to death. I have met many dogs who can sense anxiety in their humans and respond accordingly. If you become anxious or obsessed with your dog's eating habits, they will only get worse. Try these tips and you will find a food a feeding ritual that works without them (literally) eating out of your hand! 

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