Meatloaf again?? Ugh, what a drag! Eating the same Food over and over again is exhausting to a person, and it may cause a loss of appetite completely. Maybe you’ve noticed that your dog has lost his appetite lately. Could boredom be the answer? Do dogs get tired of their food?
Do dogs get tired of their food?
No, dogs don’t get tired of their food. Dogs can easily eat the same food for years at a time and still jump for joy when the next feeding comes around.
A dog has far fewer taste buds than humans do (1,700 for dogs compared to 9,000 for humans). Novelty isn’t something they crave in their food.
Dogs are wired for survival. Any food that doesn’t make them sick is good food in their minds. A dog could easily survive by eating out of the garbage can if they had to.
Why do dogs suddenly refuse to eat their food?
If dogs don’t get bored of their food, why do they suddenly stop eating it? There could be a number of reasons why this might happen. If it does, ask yourself these questions:
Is the food expired? Expired food can lose it’s taste and nutritional value. This may cause a loss of appetite for your pup.
Is your dog sick? You dog may have stopped eating because there is something wrong. This could range from anxiety and stress to digestive issues. Monitor their behavior and take them to the veterinarian if your dog seems off.
Are they bored with life? When dogs get bored, they lose their motivation. They mope around the house and lose their appetite. Take your dog for regular walks and make sure they get enough social time to brighten their spirits and kick their metabolism into overdrive.
Does their food have all the nutrients they need? Your dog may enjoy their basic kibble to start, but slowly become uninterested in it. They haven’t lost the taste for the food, they just need more nutrients in their diet. Supplement these with treats or switch to a high-quality food that covers all aspects of doggy diets.
What to do when your dog won’t eat
Even though most dogs can eat the same food for many years without an issue, some dogs do lose their appetite for a certain food. Here’s what to do when your dog won’t eat their food.
Set a mealtime schedule
And stick to it! When you feed your dog at random times, their little bodies have no clue when to expect food. You might be feeding them when they don’t feel hungry.
Dogs thrive on routine and consistency. If they know exactly when mealtimes are coming around, their bodies will respond.
A hungry dog will usually eat his food without a problem. And if that doesn’t work…
Use games or an interactive feeder
Dogs are like children. Their brains are geared towards fun and games.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Eating is a ton of fun. But eating the same food over and over can get tiring.
Introduce games or interactive feeding into their mealtimes to create more interest. This will engage your dog mentally and make their normal meals seem like a treat.
Spice it up a bit
Try adding something else to their food to get them interested.
Dogs are huge fans of beef liver and cheese. Some dogs even enjoy the taste of fruits like guava or rambutan. Add some to their kibble to spice things up a little.
If your dog usually eats dry food, try adding some water to their dry food. This will soften up the hard food and enhance the natural flavors.
Change their food completely
If all else fails, try switching their food altogether. Your dog may have developed an allergy or digestive issue due to their current food.
Dog food brands like Wild Earth claim to help dogs with their digestive issues and clear up symptoms of allergies.
It could be as simple as their taste buds changing as well. This happens often when dogs mature from puppies to adolescent dogs.
Most dogs are completely fine with eating the same food for many years. But in certain cases, dogs do start refusing their food out of nowhere. Take these steps to keep them from getting tired of their food.
The post Do Dogs Get Tired of Their Food? Answered! appeared first on Elegant Furball.
