HOW OWNER BEHAVIOUR AFFECTS HOW DOGS EAT THEIR FOOD
Updated on January 8, 2023
Our actions as owners have a significant impact on how our dogs consume their meals. Humans decide when, where, and what kind of food their dog eats.
Although a dog that refuses to consume its food may appear like a canine preference, the owner’s actions are crucial.
WHY OWNER BEHAVIOUR AFFECTS A FUSSY DOG
You can start to worry about your dog’s apparent lack of appetite if he or she is a picky eater and refuses to consume their food. As a result, most owners will either try to tempt their dog with a home-cooked dinner or switch to a different brand of dog food. The two of them together might create some problems.
HOW TO SWAP A DOG’S FOOD WITHOUT WORSENING THEIR BEHAVIOUR
The dog’s owner may try a different kind of food in an effort to get the pet to eat. Anxieties already run high for pet owners might be exacerbated when their dog displays no enthusiasm for the new diet. However, if you want to modify your dog’s diet, don’t make the transition too quickly because they can become confused and refuse to eat the new food.
This is why you should gradually introduce new foods to your dog. It helps the dog learn to associate the new food with mealtime and reduces any gastrointestinal upset that may have resulted from the switch.
Changing your dog’s diet must be done carefully and gradually. Start by incorporating a modest quantity into their regular meal. Then, start by adding a small amount of the new item to their dinner for a few days, and gradually increase the amount over time.
WHY A HOMECOOKED DINNER WILL WORSEN THE BEHAVIOUR
The only way to get a dog to eat when it’s being a picky eater and refusing its dinner is to offer some of your own. In the long run, though, this type of owner behavior can alter how your dog eats.
Your dog will quickly learn that if he or she refuses to eat their regular food, they will be rewarded with a cooked meal instead. The dog will learn to purposely avoid food unless it is the same as what you are eating if this trend persists. Several factors make this a troublesome situation.
A DOG COULD DEVELOP FURTHER BAD BEHAVIOUR
First, your dog will be extremely picky and refuse to eat at mealtimes. It makes the undesirable behavior more habitual, and it can be challenging to unlearn.
This can lead to further behavioral issues, and not only at mealtimes. A dog that is either too hungry or too full won’t pay much attention during training. (Meaning food is of no use during practice.) Moreover, the dog may exhibit other undesirable actions in response to food, such as aggression or guarding.
HOMECOOKED MEALS ARE DIFFICULT TO MAKE NUTRITIONALLY ADEQUATE
It’s inconvenient to cook a full supper for both you and your dog, and it’s difficult to know for sure that the dog is getting all the nutrients it needs from the food you prepare. The nutritional content of a meal can vary widely depending on factors including the components used, the serving size, and the method of preparation.
Some of the vital nutrients in food can be destroyed by chemical reactions like the Maillard Reaction when it is cooked.
As an additional problem, feeding raw meat can introduce diseases like salmonella and E. coli to your pet.
HOW TO DEAL WITH A FUSSY DOG
When a dog is becoming fussy, the first thing to remember is not to coddle them. This can give them a lot of attention, which may make them want to continue refusing food.
Also, the dog’s freedom of choice is narrowed and its likelihood of becoming picky is increased because of the stress and the new food. (Since they haven’t had a chance to get used to the new meal, or because the abrupt shift has made their stomachs feel funny.)
They’ve discovered that if they fast for long enough, they’ll get something far better than food.
Because of this, it’s crucial to approach a fussy dog with patience and cool head.
When you switch your dog over to Pure from bland brown biscuits, you’re providing him with a diet that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. It will satisfy even the most discerning canine palate.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR POOCH IS BEING PICKY
Put your dog’s food in a secure, quiet area where he or she will not be disturbed while eating. They are better able to avoid becoming too stressed or fearful to eat because of this, as they have to keep their attention on the world around them.
Don’t force your dog to eat if it’s showing signs of refusal. Give them 30 minutes to decide if they want to eat it. Just take away their bowl and store the leftovers in the fridge if they don’t eat. Then don’t feed them again until their scheduled lunchtime.
Overfeeding is common when dogs are allowed to “graze” on food all day long. Allowing a dog to eat whenever it wants teaches it that it is entitled to food from anyone in the house, which can lead to a lack of responsiveness to mealtime cues and persistent begging.
