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My dog won't eat dry kibble after human food. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cocker Spaniel | Female | spayed | 11 lbs

Hi, my cocker spaniel travelled from Ireland on Monday. She's 7 and has bad eating habits. As in she was being fed human food and wet kibble which was mostly meat. Ever since she came we've been giving her dry kibble & no human food what so ever. She's not eating much. She has a few bits here and now but not much. She's poo-ing & peeing fine but I'm worried she's going hungry. What do you suggest?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on September 28th, 2017

Hi and thanks for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Railay had been living the good life with human food and is likely upset she is now being fed regular wholesome kibble! Keep offering the kibble to her and she will learn to eat it-she wont starve! If you notice she is still not eating much after another few days, I would take her into your veterinarian's office for an exam. Sometimes decreased eating can be caused by dental disease which can be diagnosed by Railay's veterinarian. I hope this helps and best of luck to you and Railay!

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 28th, 2017

    Congratulations on your new addition! I agree that a long term diet of human food and canned food alone is not a terribly well balanced diet. Dogs will not starve themselves, so Railay's appetite may be decreased due to all of the stresses from travel, new environment, and new diet. To tempt her to eat more, you can try offering her a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice (1 cup for every 10 pounds of body weight) mixed with her new kibble for the next week while gradually increasing the dry kibble and decreasing the chicken/rice mixture. The bland diet may provide a more gradual transition to her new diet which can be beneficial since some dogs experience vomiting and diarrhea as a result of sudden diet changes. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

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