How to get my picky puppy to eat her dog food and stop begging?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 10 lbs
My chihuahua mix is 5 months. She goes scavenging around the house for anything but her food to eat. She also begs for human food since her previous owner used to feed her table scraps but our family strictly never gives her any human food. We try changing up her kibble a few times but after a day or two she gets bored of the food. We also mixed in wet food but all she does is lick it off and if she eats a kibble along the wet food she spats it out. Please tell me how I can fix this.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 17th, 2018
It is your job to decide what Zoe's diet will be . . . not hers. It is good that you are not giving her human food. Put regular dog food in a bowl on the floor without fuss and leave it for 15 minutes. After that time, pick it up whether she has eaten or not. Do not give her anything--no treats, snacks or human food--until her next scheduled mealtime. Then repeat the process. It may take several times for her to realize that this is her dinner, and that she must eat the food that's in front of her. Try settling on one food brand and sticking with it, as frequent changes may be upsetting her stomach. This could be part of why she doesn't eat. Remember that you are not starving her–she is choosing not to eat. This is a battle of wills. When she is hungry enough, she’ll give in and eat, and your problem will be solved. Do not weaken or "feel sorry" for her. It will only make it harder to correct.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on November 25th, 2017
Hi and thanks for using PetCoach! Sorry to hear about Lexie. You could try an experiment with her that many owners have tried with picky eaters. Stop feeding her by hand and only provide her food in her dog bowl. Eventually, most picky eaters will start to eat but it could take a few days. She will not starve and make sure that she drinks water during this time. Some owners cannot stand to try this method but if you have the patience and know that you are not harming them, then this method works. Other tips to try are at this link- https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-get-reluctant-pets-to-eat/ And lastly, it's always good to have Lexie examined by a veterinarian if this situation continues. There could be something going on with her that has affected her ability to eat and her appetite. Good luck
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
What is the best food method for my very picky dog? She seems to hate her current science diet kibble, for she only eats it when she is desperate for something to eat, other than that she begs me for a bite of my meal.
Sweety was sick a month ago so we gave her bland rice, chicken and lentils. Now she won't eat her normal food. If I give her rice she'll eat bt not her regular food. I even added a tsp of liver to her whole days diet. She just wants human food and th
I have a wiener dog that will eat people food but has stopped eating her dog food. Still drinking water, will grab a nibble of dry food once and a while. Dry nose. Pee no problem
idk if its normal for a dog to have so much problems. But my dog isnt eating! She is very picky. I have consult the vet and he said she is perfectly fine. I changed food, coat fish to enhance flavour, everything! But she doesnt want to eat her food l
I have a 10 month old whippet that is really picky about her food and I have tried loads of foods from kibble to wet food to a raw diet. She will eat abit and then decide to leave it. She will more likely eat from a hand than a bowl. She ate wet dog
My puppy isn’t eating her normal chicken kibble anymore, only at night when we give her kibble with organic chicken. She only wants table food. Should I add chicken to her food every meal now or wait it out ?
Hi Vets, Im having a hard time with my dog. When he was still young, I fed him with incanned dog food. Then, I think I lost his appetite because its always the same. I switched it for the mean time to boiled chicken breast, lasted for 5 months. How d
What do you do when your puppy is an extremely picky eater? I have tried science diet, digestive diet, diamond naturals, pedigree, and wholehearted soft and wet food. I can leave the bowl out all day and I’m lucky if she eats a full bowl. I’m really
My first day fostering a scottie maltese mix and she wont eat her dog food at all. I mixed dry and wet food that came with her. I was told that she always snubbs dog food and will dig everywhere to find people food. How can I help her to eat what is
I have been feeding my puppy, Royal Canin maxi junior for the last 1 month. Currently she weighs 7.5kgs. For the last 2-3 few days she has not been eating her food with the same excitment as she used to eat before. Instead, she now likes eating carro
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
