How to get your dog to enjoy food

A dog who is struggling to eat or having difficulty with their food in some way suggests that something should be done. Many dog food companies produce various foods differing in taste, quality, and design.

To get your dog to look forward to eating and enjoy eating, it’s important to find a healthy food tailored to their dietary needs and taste preferences and prepared to attract your pups’ interest. Here is how to get your dog to enjoy food.

Set aside your stress

If your dog is not eating and making you stressed, do what you can to put that out of your mind. Dogs can sense the emotions of human beings around them. Any stress or disappointment won’t help and will be felt by your pet.

Don’t try to force them

At first, you shouldn’t have to force your dog to eat or take them to their food angry. Attempting that will only result in your dog associating anger with food, and they will not want to eat. It will only worsen matters.

See if there’s a medical reason

Have your dog checked with a vet. There are dozens of reasons a dog may have lost its appetite. If there is an underlying medical cause, it can be treated. A plan can be implemented to facilitate more regular eating habits for your dog.

Inspect their teeth

A dog may not enjoy food because something in its mouth causes pain. Broken or loose teeth, severe gingivitis, cancer in the mouth, or medical issues with the gums can all be explanations. If you suspect a tooth issue, have it treated.

Select a high-quality dog food

Do you think your dog won’t eat cheap food? Try higher-quality products from brands like Open Farm dog food. There are many premium-grade dog foods, and it may be worth investing your funds in buying the food that best resonates with your pup.

Calm your dog before dinner

Especially if your dog is in unfamiliar surroundings, it may not want to eat because it’s uncomfortable. Sit with it for 5-10 minutes before putting their food down. Pet it. Get your dog in the best mood before dinner; it may eat more.

Engage in an activity beforehand

Stimulate a dog’s appetite by taking them for a walk, playing with them and their favourite toy, or taking them to the dog park within 1-2 hours of dinnertime. This will get them excited and hungry.

Feed them separately

If your dog eats with other dogs and the other(s) are aggressive toward them or their food, feed the dog in question separately. Please provide them with their own space to eat without aggression or interference.

Feed your dog on a schedule

Feed your dog a specified amount of food in the morning and early evening. Maintain a schedule. Keep it consistent. Dogs will condition themselves to look forward to mealtimes while preventing overeating.

Cease giving them treats

An overfed dog fully fed by treats may not be motivated at dinner to indulge. Cease giving them regular treats or people food and instead direct them to defined eating times and dog food.

Buy them a new food bowl

If their current food bowl is at an uncomfortable height or just an old bowl with a smell, buying them something brand new can be a smart strategy. This can be helpful, especially for picky dogs.

Mix in some animal meat

So long as they aren’t allergic, mix in some protein to make their food more enjoyable. Chicken, beef, pork, or other types of meat can be purchased in bulk, put in the freezer, and then thawed and cooked later to give to your dog. Even the pickiest eaters will love this.

Try a different kind of dog food

Another option is to try a completely different style of dog food, such as switching from kibble to canned food. Your dog may prefer soft food or warm food heated in the microwave. Experiment a bit to see what strikes your dog’s fancy.

Add warm water to their kibble

Added warm water to the bowl is inexpensive and makes the kibble more appealing, soft, and fragrant. An alternative to warm water could be chicken broth or beef broth.

Minimize digestive upset

A dog that has digestive upsets every time it eats will not want to. It may require a prescription diet or specific dog food that excludes certain agreements. A vet visit is required to detect digestive upset or allergies.