The puppy stopped eating dry food what to do. Why Your Dog Won't Eat: Some Important Reasons and Ways to Improve Appetite. When a healthy dog ​​refuses to eat dry food

Sometimes dog owners notice that not every pet likes dry ready-made food. At the same time, another pet can simply adore the same food - he eats a portion with great pleasure. And the other dog is completely indifferent to this food. It happens that the dog ate this food with pleasure, and then suddenly stopped loving him, and will not touch him even when he is very hungry.

It is often very convenient for owners to feed their pet with dry food, as they simply do not have time to cook. In this case, it is necessary to determine the reason for this behavior of the dog. This is the only way to find solutions. In no case should you force the dog to feed on what he does not want. The task is to accustom him to dry food.

Possible reasons

Most often, the pet does not eat dry food due to the fault of the owner. What are we doing wrong?

1. First of all, this happens when the owners first prepared natural food for their pet, and then, for some reason, were forced to switch to dry food. In this case, it often happens that the dog refuses to feed. After all, natural food is much tastier. The transition can cause some difficulties.
2. A dog may refuse a dry treat because the owner bought food from another manufacturer. Such food may not be to the liking of the animal due to low quality. Maybe the owner thinks he bought the same food, but actually stumbled upon a fake. A person will not understand this, but it is very difficult to lead a dog.
3. Many representatives of small breeds are very capricious in terms of nutrition. The owners, who feel sorry for them, begin to feed the pet with something tasty. Such behavior can cause manifestations of cunning. The dog will refuse dry food in order to get a tastier bite of treats. How to deal with it? It is necessary to accustom the dog to either homemade food or dry food.
4. Sometimes dogs will refuse food that they have been eating for a long period of time. This is because the dog just got bored with the same taste of food. Also, the refusal can be caused by the fact that the owner first soaked the feed with dairy products, and then stopped. For a dog, such changes may be unusual.
5. When you feed your pet dry food, it is important to remember that its volume should be much less than the volume of natural food. The reason for the refusal of food may be a large portion.
6. Another reason may be a decrease in the animal's appetite. This happens when the dog simply does not use up all the energy it consumes. The dog becomes lethargic. To prevent this, it is necessary to provide a sufficient level of activity.
7. In addition, illness can be the reason for refusing to eat. These can be diseases that make it difficult to eat, as well as many others that affect the well-being of the pet. The dog does not feel well, so he starts to eat very badly.

How to solve a problem

No matter what the reason for your dog's rejection of dry food is, the problem can be fixed. What can the owner do to get the dog accustomed to the food or return to eating it?

First of all, it is important not to forget that if you transfer the dog from natural food to dry food, then in no case should you do it abruptly. The dry component should be introduced gradually. This is due to the fact that the pet's body will get used to the new diet only after a few weeks.

First, the dry food is added to the natural food that your dog is accustomed to eating. And it should be at the same time only a quarter of the portion. Gradually, the food should completely replace natural food. If it is difficult for a dog to start eating granular food, it can be pre-soaked in water. Sometimes the owners dilute the food with kefir. This method will be very useful for puppies. But it is necessary to ensure that fermented milk products do not lead to disorders in dogs.

To teach a dog to eat dry food, you need to purchase only a high-quality product. This should be done at least initially. This food is very tasty, and you will be sure that it will not harm the animal. Good taste and quality will do the trick.

It is important that the dog does not have constant access to food. Portions should be dosed, feeding should take place on a schedule. Even if you are sick or did not have time to feed the dog in the morning, you should not increase its evening portion. There is no way to show pity here. Dogs are quite able to do without food even for several days.

If the dog is not sick, his appetite will return quickly enough. When she starts to eat, she should be praised. Experts say that food in a dog should be associated with good emotions. When a pet refuses to eat, do not scold him. This can exacerbate the problem, as the dog will be nervous.

Problem Prevention

In order not to have to correct the situation when the pet completely refuses dry food, you need to know a few rules that will help prevent such a problem.

When choosing food, it is important to take into account the age, breed, health status of the pet and other factors. It is important that it fits in all respects. Usually, manufacturers offer different lines, according to which it will be easier to determine which food is right for your pet. They are divided according to such signs.

1. There are premium (high quality) feeds, as well as economy (low quality) feeds. The price of economy goods will be lower, but in order for the pet to remain healthy, it is better to give preference to good food.
2. In addition, feed is divided by calorie content. It depends on how active the pet is.
3. Granulated food is also classified by breed.

For example, a lapdog dog constantly ate food designed specifically for this breed, but then refused. If this happens, you can try to change the food to another. This may be due to the fact that the dog is simply fed up with the food and wants variety. In addition, the body requires a variety of substances to enter it. The transition from one type of dry food to another should also not occur immediately, but gradually.

Note! It is important that the dog can drink enough water.

To increase the appetite of the animal, it is necessary to provide him with the opportunity to get hungry. Walk with your pet more often so that he can waste the accumulated energy.

To determine the required portion, you need to control how much your dog eats. If there is some food left in the bowl, then the next time the portion should be reduced. In this way, you will understand how much your dog needs.

Remember! When the owners accustom the pet to dry food, it is impossible to show sting. It is important that the behavior is firm and consistent.

What to do if, after many attempts and tricks, you still could not accustom the animal to ready-made food? Perhaps the only option will be ready-made food, and you will have to find time to cook it.

Video: puppy or dog does not eat dry food

Refusal of a dog from dry food is a fairly common phenomenon. Moreover, the reluctance to eat granules is possible both in the case of transferring a pet from natural food to dry food, and in a situation where the dog is already familiar with such food. First of all, the owner needs to find out the reason why the dog refuses to eat, and then take some steps to ensure that he eats the offered food with pleasure.

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Reasons why a dog refuses dry food

Dry food is not liked by the dog for various reasons. This can be either the usual pickiness or the poor quality of the food offered. Often a pet does not eat granular food well, if before he ate exclusively natural products. Problems with industrial feed can arise due to age or poor health.

In any case, it is necessary to observe the animal in order to find out the exact reason why the dog does not eat dry food. You may even have to visit a veterinarian to solve this problem.

Diet change

For pets that previously ate only natural food or ate soft canned food, the sudden transition to dry granules becomes a real stress. Solid food is unaccustomed to them and does not cause any appetite, so it is difficult to force animals to gnaw on granular food.

Especially often this situation occurs when an adult dog is too abruptly transferred to “drying”. The digestive system of the animal is unprepared for such a task. There are frequent cases when the body simply rejects an unfamiliar type of food and the dog begins to vomit. A gradual change in diet will help to avoid this. Then, over time, the pet's stomach will get used to the proposed food, and dry granules will not cause him discomfort.

Poor feed quality

Purchased food may be of poor quality or stale. The dog senses this and refuses to eat. Low quality is usually seen in cheap options. The composition of such feed contains very little meat, the taste of such granules does not attract the animal.

If the granules are in an open package for a long time, then they gradually lose their freshness and deteriorate. Therefore, it is necessary to buy closed packs. If, for some reason, pet food is purchased by weight, then you should choose stores with a large number of customers in which the container does not stand open for a long time.

Sometimes dry granules lose their freshness even in a closed pack, so when buying, be sure to check the expiration date and do not buy the product if it is coming to an end. In this case, it is worth buying a pack of less weight, especially if the animal is a small breed and eats little.

Health problems

Digestive problems are a very common reason for not eating dry food. During a walk, the dog could pick up some food on the street or accidentally swallow a small object. In this case, the pet will feel unwell and refuse to eat.

If there is a suspicion that the dog refuses dry food due to poisoning or a foreign object getting into the stomach, then it is necessary to contact the veterinarian to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Some pets are simply not able to perceive dry food, so they vomit after eating. If this is repeated constantly, you will need to consult a specialist. Perhaps he will recommend leaving the animal on natural food.

When feeling unwell, dogs always refuse to eat.



Dog dental calculus

In diseases of the upper respiratory tract, problems with the oral cavity or teeth, it is problematic for the animal to chew dry granules, this causes pain and irritation. If, along with the refusal to eat, other symptoms of the disease are also present: the dog is whining, lethargic, depressed, then you must definitely show it to the veterinarian. In this case, the likelihood that the pet develops a serious disease is high. Then, with a timely visit to the doctor, you can save his health.

Low physical activity

Poor activity is often the reason for refusing to eat. If the dog moves a little, then it spends a little energy and begins to eat less, and sometimes even refuses the food offered. Otherwise, the pet is gradually gaining weight.

To correct the situation, you need to walk more often, play with the dog and run. After increasing physical activity, the pet's appetite will gradually return.

Feed taste

If the dog used to eat dry food with pleasure, and then stopped, then the reason is a brand change, for example, from Puppy to Royal Canin. This happens especially often if there has been a transition to a more budget-friendly option for dog food.

If it becomes necessary to feed the animal with products of a different brand, then you need to change the diet gradually. Some pets can be very picky about the quality of food and simply refuse to eat pellets that are unusual in taste.

Impact of stress

Dogs, just like people, can experience shocks and unpleasant emotions, only they are unable to communicate it. Therefore, refusal to eat due to stress is a fairly common phenomenon, especially if unusual events for the animal occurred the day before.

The reason is hidden in a sharp change in the situation, for example, in the event of a move or a change of owner. The dog is bored and refuses to eat if one of the family members to whom it was attached has left. Here attention and care will help to solve the problem. Over time, the animal will get used to new circumstances and learn to trust the people who surround it.

Other reasons

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, dog refusal to eat happens due to the following factors:

• pampered;
• estrus;
• age characteristics;
• dosage failure.

These reasons do not threaten with serious consequences for the health of the dog and in order to eliminate them, you must either wait or show a little perseverance and attention.

During a period of high sexual activity, dogs refuse to eat, because they simply do not have time for it. Here you need to be patient, soon the surge of hormones will stop and the appetite will return to normal.

Often dogs refuse dry food because they expect some kind of treat from the owner. Such animals tend to beg with a pitiful look and beg for food from the master's table. They just know that the owner will soon give up and treat them to "yummy", and do not want to eat pellets.

Some overly caring owners do not follow the dosage when switching to dry food. Granules contain the nutrients in a concentrated form, so your dog needs less food to fill him up than when he eats natural foods. If there is a large amount of food in the bowl, then the dog will eat it simply out of boredom, which will lead to obesity as a result. Therefore, do not exceed the recommended amount indicated on the package.

Small puppies have difficulty eating pellets because their baby teeth are weak and loose. And in older dogs, there are problems with teeth: the presence of tartar, thinning of the enamel. Their teeth become too sensitive and chewing hard food causes pain.

How to teach a dog to dry food?

Having found out the exact reason why the animal refuses dry food, you need to take measures to eliminate the problem. If the dog is sick, the veterinarian will help. The specialist will prescribe treatment, taking the necessary drugs and carrying out procedures. After the recovery of the pet, his appetite returns to normal.

All other reasons require only patience and attentive attitude to the dog. First of all, you should pay attention to the quality of the feed. No need to buy cheap dry granules in large packages. Savings will affect the health of the pet and lead to additional spending on veterinary services.

It is recommended to give preference to premium and super premium feeds, which contain a large amount of meat components, have the necessary herbal supplements, minerals and vitamins. In such a diet, the main source of protein is meat, fish, eggs, there are no cereals, harmful additives, flavor enhancers and preservatives. An example is the products of the following brands:

• Puppy;
• Acana;
• Orijen.

When buying dry food, you need to take into account the weight of the dog and do not buy packages weighing 15 kg for a small dog. It is correct to buy a few smaller pieces instead. So food stays fresh longer. A special vacuum container, in which you can put an open pack, will help to save food for a long time.

If it is necessary to switch the dog from natural food to dry granules, then it is necessary to proceed gradually in order to accustom the digestive system to other foods. The finished food is added to the pet's usual food in a small amount, gradually increasing the proportion of "drying" and reducing the amount of natural products. Under favorable circumstances, the transfer takes 2 weeks. The same is true if you need to transfer the dog from one brand of food to another.

When switching to industrial pellets, it is necessary to provide her with constant access to clean water and properly equip the place where she eats. The bowl should be elevated so that the dog does not have to bend over while eating. In this position, the animal will feel confident and will be more willing to eat.

It is difficult for a puppy to chew dry food pellets due to weak teeth. In this case, you need to give them softened pieces. To do this, dry food must be mixed with kefir, natural yogurt, or simply soak the granules in water. Older animals abandon the familiar brand due to changes in the needs of the body. For such pets, it is recommended to buy special food for aging dogs, taking into account the characteristics of their health.

In other cases, the patience and perseverance of the owner will help solve the problem of refusing dry food. Spoiled dogs, accustomed to begging for tidbits, need to stop feeding. The animal will soon realize that he can’t wait for goodies, and will begin to eat what lies in the bowl.

Sedentary dogs require more walking, playing and running, especially if they are a large breed. Such animals need not just walks, but real workouts with serious loads. Tired of such vigorous activity, the pet will get hungry and eat the food offered to it.

What should I do if my dog ​​stops eating dry food? This question can arise even for the most experienced breeder. Pet owners often notice that one pet bypasses the bowl of dry granules, the other purrs with pleasure, eating everything to the crumbs, and even asks for more. Why does even a hungry dog, without pleasure, sniff rounds poured into a bowl, but as soon as he touches them, he stops eating?

First of all, it is necessary to understand the reason for the refusal of dry food and find a solution to the problem. Dog breeders recommend not to force pets to eat what they do not like, but to gradually accustom them to use dry food.

Sometimes, a violation of the usual diet, confuses the owners and creates a lot of inconvenience. Will have to look for other food options. It will not be easy, because it is almost impossible to know in advance what the pet will prefer. You will have to experiment with different varieties of cereals, prepare fresh portions, urgently learn how to feed a capricious dog with natural food.

Finding the right food for your dog is difficult. In addition, she may refuse to eat vegetables, cereals or dairy products. In dry food, all the useful ingredients are selected in the optimal proportion.

The main reasons why the dog stopped eating dry food

The dog's diet should be well balanced and include the following:

• Cereals;
• Fats of animal and vegetable origin;
• Proteins;
• vitamins;
• Amino acids;
• Minerals.

First of all, to understand the reasons for such strange behavior. It happens that the owner himself is to blame that his pet is not satisfied with the usual food.

The main mistakes of pet owners

Consider what mistakes the owner can lead to a change in the pet's food preferences:

1. The puppy, and then the adult dog, got used to eating natural food. Due to various life circumstances, the owner tries to feed him with "drying". Of course, the pet will rest with all its paws and turn its nose away from unusual food;
2. If the dog began to eat dry food badly, and previously ate it with pleasure, the problem may be in the transition to another type of food or a decrease in its quality. It is often difficult to distinguish fake premium food. But you can’t draw a dog’s nose - the pet’s sense of smell will tell him about the substitution;
3. Small breeds are picky eaters. When a pet refuses to eat, its owner begins to come up with various feeding options. He can start feeding the capricious from his hands or on the bed, rewarding obedience with a “delicacy” - sausage or sausage. A petty extortionist will quickly figure out how to get an extra treat. And soon he will try to get only something tasty, refusing the prescribed portion of "drying". In this case, there is only one way out - to accustom to dry feeding or to natural. Mixing them is not recommended;
4. Some dog owners try to soak the food with milk, sour cream, or even yogurt first. Then they suddenly stop doing it. The dog is at a loss - he does not want to eat, rounds poured into a plate.

It is not necessary to offer too much food, the portion should be eaten completely. Natural food is always required more than dry food.

Other reasons

There are dry granules for refusal, sometimes there are reasons that do not depend on the mistakes or inexperience of the owner. We list some of them:

1. "Drying" has a specific smell that attracts animals. If a pet loses its sense of smell as a result of a cold, a runny nose, it stops responding to aroma and does not perceive food as food;
2. The reason for the refusal may be health problems of the animal. For example, inflammation of the gums and oral cavity will interfere with normal nutrition, and will also affect the pet's appetite;
3. Chronic diseases of the internal organs or the acute course of any disease can lead to the fact that the pet will refuse to eat;
4. Food from another manufacturer may not please your shaggy friend. Animals quickly get used to a certain type, smell and quality of the pads. Even if there is a visual similarity between foods, they may differ in smell, taste and composition. If you change the brand of the finished diet, the dog may immediately refuse to accept it;
5. Poor quality or spoiled granules. An excellent sense of smell helps the animal to feel that the rounds do not smell very pleasant, and perhaps they have completely deteriorated. You should buy premium dry food only from reputable manufacturers. The shelf life and quality of the feed are important.

Some breeds of dogs should be given the opportunity to be physically active. Passive behavior can change their behavior and food habits. If the dog stopped eating “drying” with pleasure, perhaps the reason for this is the lack of activity and a sedentary lifestyle. If a previously active pet shows lethargy, indifference to everything and loses its appetite, it may be that he needs to run in plenty, get drunk. Increase the walking time, engage in active games with him.

Often, physiological characteristics lead to the rejection of pads. These include:

• Bitches are in heat;
• Stalking with males.

In this case, your pet is not up to good nutrition. His thoughts are aimed at completely different physiological needs.

How to solve a problem

In order not to be the reason that led to the rejection of the usual diet, you still have to overcome it. If the dog is physically healthy, use the following tips.

The dog's digestive system begins to properly digest a new type of food only after a few weeks. Therefore, it is necessary to give her time to adapt. Transferring to industrial pet food should be gradual. Granules are mixed with natural food, gradually increasing their quantity until they replace it.

If the dog is not very willing to eat industrial food, you can slightly soak it in boiled water. Some dog owners use kefir, sour cream or yogurt instead of water. Such food will be very nutritious for puppies. However, it is necessary to ensure that dairy products do not cause digestive disorders.

You should buy premium food, the quality of which is the highest. Despite the fact that they are expensive, they will not harm the health of the pet.

What should be done in the first place so that the dog takes dry food with pleasure?

1. Put away the bowl of food so that the dog doesn't have to kiss it every time he runs past. It is necessary to observe the diet and give food in strictly fixed portions. If the pet refused to eat in the morning, the bowl of granules is put out only in the evening;
2. You can not go on about the animal and feel sorry for him. Dogs can go without food for several days. If the loss of appetite is not associated with any disease, on the second day the dog will enjoy dry food. Praise your dog and let him eat;
3. You can not punish and vigorously express your displeasure due to the fact that a shaggy companion refuses to eat. Food should be associated only with positive emotions. The animal should not be nervous or frightened, so as not to lead to further negative behaviors. For example, - fear of approaching your bowl;
4. All factors that can lead the animal to stress should be excluded. Change the environment around the animal, show more attention and care. Even puppies are very sensitive to the mood of the owner. Sometimes, it is not possible to find out on your own why a stressful condition has arisen. Need to go to the vet;
5. Increase physical activity for your pet. Go for a run in the morning, take him for a walk in the middle of the day, and take him for long walks in the evening. You can "load" it with training, training, joint and active games. So that the tailed robber does not get bored alone, does not spoil household things - buy him special toys with which he will have fun in the absence of the owner;
6. If the dog has a cold or feels unwell for another reason, consult a veterinary clinic for advice. The doctor will examine him, you may need to take tests. When health returns to the pet, he will eat as usual.

It should be remembered that only by determining the cause, you can take some measures so that she returns to her usual diet or switch to natural nutrition. All further actions will depend on what exactly influenced the refusal of the animal from the usual feeding.

How to prevent dry food rejection

It is better to prevent a dog from refusing dry food than to find out the reasons for this behavior and try to correct them later. When buying food, you need to take into account the characteristics of your pet, its state of health, breed, weight and even character.

Manufacturers of a lot of dry food, which differ in class - from "economy" to super-premium.

There are also different varieties intended׃

• For pets leading a sedentary life;
• Active animals;
• different breeds;
• sterilized animals;
• Puppies;
• Pregnant and lactating bitches;
• Animals with sensitive digestion;
• Long-haired dogs, etc.

It is understandable that a small pug will not want to eat pellets that are made for nursing or a Rottweiler. But if he stopped eating his usual "drying", you can try to teach her to eat a different kind of pellets - for example, change the brand. You can pick it up with a different composition.

Keep in mind that variety in food for your pet is also important. Transition it to another type of food gradually. Always keep a large bowl of water nearby.

For small dogs, it is better not to give large pads of food that are intended for large breeds. It is also necessary to monitor the portion size so that indigestion does not occur.

If the pet has lost its appetite, you do not need to immediately panic. Try to eliminate the root cause that led to this problem. You should not immediately suspect a whole bunch of diseases in your pet, everything may not be so bad.

Refusal of dry food does not always indicate any violations or "mental" disorders of the dog. Perhaps she was just tired of the monotonous diet. Or maybe she is used to her “drying” and does not want to accept another.

About the author: Anna Aleksandrovna Maksimenkova

Practicing veterinarian in a private clinic. Directions: therapy, oncology, surgery. Read more about me in the "About Us" section.

What to do if the dog does not eat, how can you find out the true cause and not miss the symptoms of the disease? Below we will analyze all these issues, but we will immediately indicate that we will talk about a sharp refusal of food. A gradual decrease in appetite, leading to a complete refusal to eat, most often indicates a developing disease.

A very common scenario that causes true panic among owners is when the dog has stopped eating or has had an illness. The owner sees that the dog is on the mend, looks active and abruptly refuses to eat ... a really alarming sign. However, before you panic, make sure that the reasons for ignoring food are not related to your behavior.

While the pet is sick or recovers after the operation, the owner surrounds him with care, pampers, regrets. Dogs are very smart, they can build logical chains and draw conclusions. So, when you feel sorry for the dog and persuade him to eat a treat, he concludes that if you give up the usual porridge, you can get a treat. Of course, the pet needs to be pitied and supported, but moderation is important in everything.

Many owners fall into such a vicious circle when a ward develops a conditioned reflex (habit) to extort goodies through manipulation. We’ll make a reservation right away, if this has already happened to you and your ward, you need to solve the situation gradually. You yourself taught the dog this trick, so punishment and rudeness are inappropriate here. If you decide to overcome the situation with pressure, then in the future, the dog is unlikely to agree to be trained under your supervision.

Have you noticed that the dog does not eat well, are you sure that the pet was not sick and you did not spoil him, what is the reason? In any manual for the content of dogs there are recommendations for compiling a daily routine. Are you following these guidelines? If you do not understand what is at stake, answer the following questions:

• Do you walk your dog at the same time?
• Do you feed your dog at the same time?
• How many treats do you feed your dog during a walk? More or less than half the weight of a normal serving of food?

If the answers to the first two questions are negative, and the third is positive, you are completely ignoring the recommendations for observing the daily routine. Let's look into it right away the question of treats. The daily food intake is calculated taking into account everything eaten. If the dog does not eat from the bowl, but gets a pound of cookies on a walk, he compensates for more than half of his daily food intake and this must be taken into account. You had a good walk with the dog in the evening, fed her sweets and she refused porridge - quite naturally.

Now oh walking and feeding schedule. The digestive system of a dog, without exaggeration, works by the clock. It takes about 6-8 hours to digest meat porridge, if the dog eats dry food, the time increases by about 2 hours. If you feed your dog in the evening, after a walk, and in the morning, after waking up, his digestive system starts up. Digested food residues move from the small intestine to the large intestine and the dog wants to go to the toilet. After the elimination of need, the small intestine is completely freed and ready to digest the morning meal.

If the schedule is violated, that is, if the dog has to endure or you feed him out of hours, the gastrointestinal tract may not be ready to digest a new portion of food. The body is designed so that the dog will not feel hungry as long as there is food in his stomach.. If the pet cannot go to the toilet, he will be worried about more tangible problems - intoxication and pain. Naturally, in such conditions, there can be no talk of a good appetite.

Read also: How to teach your puppy commands: instructions and advice from dog handlers

You may notice that a dog eats little if food is always available to him, no, this is not a paradox. All homemade animals tend to eat out of boredom, especially if they are at home without an owner. You, as a caring owner, leaving for work, leave treats or dry food for your pet in case the pet gets hungry. In fact, you are pushing the ward to constant snacking out of boredom, which fundamentally violates the recommendations for regimen feeding. Snacking, as well as constant access to food, negatively affects appetite, since the dog does not feel true hunger, he just eats when he wants to.

There is another reason that many owners miss. If the dog does not eat anything (we are talking about a male), perhaps he met or simply smelled a bitch during estrus. A hormonal surge can deprive a male of his appetite for several days and these are not the most tangible consequences. If your pet is not of breeding value, for the sake of maintaining his health and sanity, it is better to resort to castration at an early age. Note that a male is guaranteed not to respond to females if neutered during adolescence and prior to (spontaneous) mating.

There are also more banal reasons for refusing food, more precisely, not banal, but obvious. For example, the dog needs to feel confident and stable, so the bowl should be placed on a stand, and the feeding area should be covered with a non-slip mat. A bowl that is too deep or too high can feel intimidating or uncomfortable. Some, especially dogs rescued from the street, may afraid to eat in the presence of humans or other animals. It passes, but at first you need to show understanding. There are a lot of similar examples and they are all obvious if you watch a pet.

Adult dogs can go hungry for several days without good reason, arrange the so-called fasting days. If the pet remains alert, drinks water and willingly walks, you should not worry. For a puppy, a fast is harmless if it lasts up to 12 hours; for an adult dog, this period ranges from 24 to 48 hours, and sometimes longer. Hunger is really dangerous in some diseases, for example, diabetes, in which case the dog should be under the supervision of a veterinarian.

How to increase your dog's appetite

A dog's refusal to eat may be due to poor appetite or the development of an illness. If your pet is lethargic, whining, won't drink water, vomits, or she's losing weight fast or lying down, you can skip this section. This is not a matter of reluctance, but of discomfort that prevents the pet from eating. A clear sign of poor health is the refusal to walk, even if earlier the pet was not too happy to walk, the complete disregard for the street speaks of apathy. The first thing to do is to take the pet outside in your arms. If the dog is standing still or lying down immediately, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Refusal of food does not affect the mood of the pet, is he cheerful and happy to go for a walk? In this case, you need to try several methods to improve your appetite. Start by skipping one feeding, such as the morning one. In the evening, offer your pet the usual portion of the usual food. If the treat is eaten with pleasure, the reason is a violation of the feeding schedule. We talked about this above, the dog has a poor appetite, because he really does not feel hunger.

The second method is not to skip feeding, but cut the portion in half. If the dog ate the offered food, behaved normally all day and licked the bowl again in the evening, the reason is overfeeding. Carefully check yourself if you are not exceeding the daily feeding rate for your pet. Take into account all the snacks, treats, follow the dog, it may be begging for treats from other family members.

Read also: Profine dog food

One important nuance: before accusing a dog of overeating, make sure that you feed it well. The reluctance to eat the entire portion offered may be due to the fact that dog doesn't like the taste of food, for example, a dog does not eat porridge because it is stale. The second option is an allergy, a pet may refuse food that harms him. You may not realize that porridge causes a pet to experience abdominal pain or bloating, but the fact remains that the dog feels discomfort. If the dog does not eat dry food, there are several possible reasons:

• Abrupt change in diet- you have always fed your pet natural food, but decided to transfer it to drying in one day. The dog is likely to refuse food, because for her the food looks inedible, unusual, not appetizing. Dry food does not have the aroma of natural food, and this is a very weighty argument. If the dog has always been fed a natural diet, the refusal of dry food may be due to the fact that the gastrointestinal tract is not able to digest the granules. In any case, the transition to a new type of feeding should be carried out gradually.

• Poor feed quality- cheap drying is made on the basis of beans, soy or corn. All these products are useless for the dog, so they do not cause a clear appetite. Manufacturers of cheap feeds go to the trick, flavoring their products with flavorings and flavor enhancers. This does not make the food more useful ... quite the opposite, but this condition allows you to force a hungry dog ​​to eat pellets.

• chewing problems- we are not talking about diseases of the oral cavity, but rather about the conventions that you missed. It is difficult for puppies to chew on the pellets because their teeth are a little loose. Older dogs may refuse drying due to thinning of the enamel and discomfort when chewing hard food.

Active walks help increase appetite. Naturally, the dog does not need to be exhausted to the point of exhaustion, but if you have not paid attention to active loads, it is worth a try. All dogs love to play, the type of activity and motivation may vary, meaning you will need to find an approach.

Even older dogs, which, it would seem, are not interested in anything, are happy to accompany their owners on leisurely, but long walks. Your pet may not play with a ball, but he will enjoy the search tasks. With a properly selected load, the dog returns home tired and hungry. Usually the pet drinks, eats and goes to rest. After that, it is advisable to take the dog for a short walk to empty the intestines and bladder. Just like people, it is bad for dogs to tolerate.

Dogs are distinguished by their constancy in tastes, but it happens that they get bored with the taste of familiar food. There are several ways to check this assumption and make sure that the refusal to eat is connected with it in several ways:

• Offer the dog frozen or boiled meat (without porridge). If the treat is eaten willingly, the dog is tired of porridge, or it has a protein deficiency.

• Replace cereals with buckwheat, and if you feed buckwheat, then in rice. In the first case, the food will have a more attractive smell. In the second, if the dog is tired of buckwheat, rice will be more readily accepted, since it is neutral.

• Add stewed vegetables to the porridge - grate the vegetables on the track and simmer with plenty of water. You should end up with a small stew or sauce. Season everything with a little oil and add to the porridge. Vegetables give the porridge a seductive aroma and enhance the taste of meat (if its ratio is sufficient).

In this article, I will look at the reasons why a dog does not eat dry food. I will consider important points when feeding a dog with dry food. I will tell you how to properly transfer a dog from natural food to dry food without harming the health and psyche of the animal. Why does a pet eat poorly or stop wanting dry food after a natural, and what to do or how to force it.

Reasons why the dog does not eat dry

The dog crunched food yesterday with pleasure, and today she returned from a walk and lies sadly by a full bowl? Or there are circumstances when the dog needs to be transferred to dry food, but the animal refuses to eat granules generously poured into his bowl instead of the usual food? Let's try to deal with each case.

The main thing in all situations is to immediately find out whether the dog's refusal to eat dry food is due to health problems or the food itself.

Watch the dog, remember how she behaved on a walk, and what the chair was like the last time. Check for sores and inflammation on the gums and tongue, a specific smell from the mouth or purulent discharge from the eyes? Look into your ears. Comb the coat, are there any mites or irritations?

If something worries you, then be sure to consult with your veterinarian.

The most likely causes of an eating disorder are:

• diseases of the teeth and oral cavity. In this case, the dog approaches the bowl and tries to chew on the pellets, whines and throws food. Try soaking dry granules or suggest soft.
• stress. Reassure the dog and surround him with attention, a small piece of treats does not hurt at all.
• vaccination. May have side effects such as lack of appetite.
• diseases of the internal organs. You will need to adjust your diet with the help of a veterinarian.

It is categorically impossible to start feeling sorry for the dog and start feeding it from your hands or a common table

What to do if the animal refuses dry

If there are no signs of disease, the dog approaches the bowl, sniffs the contents and goes to the dining table, checking what you eat there, then most likely the problem is with the food.

Important points when eating dry food:

• The diet should be nutritionally balanced. If the dog's food does not contain the necessary substances, then this may cause the animal to refuse food.
• The food has been stored for a long time in an open package. It could be both on your shelf and in the store in the case of hanging types. Aromatic additives could disappear and, conversely, the food could absorb foreign odors. Offer food from the new package at your next meal.
• substitution of one type of food for another. Read the ingredients of the new food carefully. Pay attention to the order of the ingredients. What is indicated at the end of the list is in the feed in the minimum amount. Smell the package. The smell of dyes is not allowed.
• check the manufacturer's recommendations for daily food intake. Reduce your serving size by up to 70% if you have a sedentary lifestyle. Clean up leftovers after meals. Walk more often, normalize your pet's daily routine.
• there is not enough water in the bowl or it is stale. This is especially true in summer, when the pet is hot, appetite is reduced and the need for water increases.
• The dog likes the food from your table much more and your family members are happy to feed everyone's favorite.

The pet's plaintive eyes and begging for goodies does not mean that he is hungry.

How to teach to eat dry food

If the dog is healthy, and you are determined to switch to dry food, then we begin to act:

• food should be selected taking into account the age and health of the animal and be as close as possible to the usual natural diet, with a sufficient content of meat, cereals and vegetables;
• Buy a small package of food in advance and offer it as a treat for walks, games and training. If the pet is happy to eat pellets, then the food is chosen correctly, if not, then try another variety;
• the transition is carried out gradually, within 10 days. If the pet refuses to eat, then try soaking the granules and mixing it with your usual food. Increase the amount gradually, allowing the dog to get used to the new taste. By the end of the week, when the menu will consist of more than 50% of ready-made food, then already dry granules can be added;
• keep the two meals a day. A dog should not have food in the bowl all day. Remove leftover food as soon as the pet has eaten;
• try to persuade the dog to eat, use words familiar to her, do not lose your calm and maintain a friendly atmosphere;
• walk more and keep your pet busy with games;
• put a large bowl of water and keep it fresh;
• ask loved ones to adhere to these rules and not feed from the table, especially during the transition period.

To teach a healthy puppy to eat dry food is quite simple.

And in the case of an adult dog eating from your table or a special menu of cereals, meat and vegetables, it will be much more difficult. You will need to gather all your willpower and mobilize loved ones in order to resist the temptation and not throw a tasty piece to your pet.

It is important to focus on the nature of the pet

If successful, you will breathe a sigh of relief and forget about pots of dog food and running around the market in search of trimmings.

But, if the dog is already old, sick, pregnant or with puppies, then in no case do we conduct such experiments with nutrition.