A lot of dogs would eat anything tasty and nutritious you serve them – but not your dog.

You give your dog food to eat, yet he simply sniffs the food and just leaves it to spoil. Now, it’s time for his next meal, but he hasn’t finished eating the previous one yet.

When this happens, your dog might be considered a picky eater or what most people would call, a finicky dog.

So, what could be wrong with your dog? Why is your pooch so choosy? What could be the reason that your dog only eats certain food? In this post, we will see a few reasons why your dog is a picky eater.

You Feed Him Off the Table

One of the most common reasons why a dog becomes a picky eater is simply not because of his behavior, but because of how you raise them. For example, giving him table scrap and too many treats could lead to picky eating. Your dog is already full when it comes to his scheduled meal.

Moreover, table scraps and treats are usually way tastier and more delicious. For this reason, your dog would rather reserve his tummy for the real treat.

It can be difficult because you don’t want your dog to be sad but training him to understand that human food is not his food and that his food is in his own food bowl is very important. There are also many human foods that are toxic to pets so it’s best for him to stick to his own food.

The only time you should feed him something that is not his food is when it’s a dog treat. 

You Only Feed Him What He Likes

Dogs are like kids. They try to manipulate you to simply give them what they want. When your dog was younger, you might have unconsciously and unintentionally trained your dog to hold out for something better.

This usually happens when you offer several food choices to determine what he likes. When you constantly open more than one can for each meal, your dog has probably trained you to spoil him – and that, too, leads to picky eating.

Your Dog Isn’t Really Interested in Food

Not all dogs live to eat, but some of them simply eat to live. This is especially true in some smaller dog breeds such as Dachshunds and Yorkies. These dogs see your attention and praise as more important than food.  In this case, pay special attention to what motivates your dog. If it is not food, then just don’t force it.

Your Dog Had a Bad Experience With a Specific Food

There are times when your dog would associate a certain type of food with a bad memory. Perhaps, he has experienced an upset stomach when eating that food in the past. Maybe, he was punished before for eating this food. You might want to see if a new diet or food would make him better.

Your Dog is Anxious

Just like people, if you are filled with worry and anxiety, you won’t have the appetite to eat. Your dog may lose interest in food if he is suffering from anxiety, lonely, bored, or scared.

Your Dog is Getting Old

Age is another factor when it comes to picky eating. You might wonder why your dog loves a certain type of food when he was younger. Now that he is older, he simply doesn’t want to eat the same food.

Older dogs need more specialized diets. What may work when he was a puppy and as an adult dog in his prime may not work anymore once he became a senior. Older dogs, like humans, are prone to more health issues and need a more refined diet.

Your Dog Has a Health Issue

When your dog is sick, he would rather skip a meal and sleep to recuperate. Make sure that you check your dog’s health condition when he seems to stop eating.

Your Dog’s Eating Area Isn’t Conducive for Eating

Sometimes, your dog can be a little picky just because he is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Dogs eat better when they are in a place where they can enjoy and concentrate on eating. Make sure you place his eating place in an area where he can’t be disturbed. Make sure as well that the place is clean and free of any distractions.

Some Things to Consider

Just because your dog is a picky eater, isn’t cause for immediate concern. As long as your dog is healthy, with a good coat, his ribs or spine doesn’t show and has an ideal weight, then your dog is most likely getting enough food. If you still notice him being picky, a few drops of salmon oil should do the trick and get him to finish his entire bowl!

If you are worried or you just want to be sure, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet about it. Get some advice or do some research. This will most likely help you understand your dog’s situation.