Williams: Dogs sometimes picky eaters, too

Getting a dog to eat really shouldn’t be a difficult task. After all, they’re animals, and an animal’s will to survive should include a natural instinct to eat at every opportunity provided. For animals in the wild, this drive is fostered by the necessity to hunt, find, or gather their food. Not so with our family pets. Food is provided for them, and often it’s presented as if an endless supply exists, and therein lies the problem. Picky eaters can be created when a dog’s view of food is altered from a need to a want.

There can be physiological and medical reasons for a dog refusing to eat. Therefore, you should always report a dog’s picky eating to your vet, particularly if your dog normally eats enthusiastically and the refusal comes out of nowhere. A loss of appetite is often the first sign of illness. Once all medical reasons have been ruled out, it’s time to examine how and what you’re feeding your dog.

Over-feeding, especially free feeding where food is always left in a dog’s dish, can promote finicky eating. When a dog knows that food is always available, it lowers the value. Additionally, your dog may be getting nourishment from other sources. How many treats does he get a day? Just think, which would your child rather heat, his ham and cheese sandwich or an ice cream cone? The key is finding a balance between a dog’s regular diet and those extra special treats. I always encourage my clients to use their dog’s regular food and kibble as rewards from the start. Get the dog to work for his own supper and use treats for special circumstances. One way to stay on top of things is to keep a log of everything your dog has eaten in a day.

How fresh is your dog’s food? Dog food does have a shelf life and expiration date. Canned food should be covered and refrigerated immediately and consumed within 1-2 days after opening. Dry food can become stale over time, and unprotected food can get ruined from accumulated moisture. Keep dry food out of direct sunlight and hot temperatures. While it’s more economical to purchase food in large quantities, proper storage of the excess food is extremely important. Many don’t realize that dry dog food can be placed in the freezer. Bags of dry food should also be kept as tightly closed as possible.

Bag clips can do the job well, or food can be placed in an airtight container.

While it does exist, anorexia in dogs is extremely uncommon. For the most part, dogs will eat when they get hungry enough. However, they’re smart cookies! They will learn quickly that holding out will bring something better when we start adding extra yummies to their food to entice them to eat.

Laurie Williams is a Stafford resident and business owner. She appeared last year with her pup, Andrew on the series, “Greatest American Dog.”