My picky dog won't eat his food without human leftovers. What to do?

Question

Hi. My dog is very picky with his food. He does not eat if I only give him dog food - pellets, canned meat, or dog treats. He wants these dog food mixed with egg or other leftovers. So my question is, should I continue spoiling him with leftovers or should I let him starve until he'll learn to eat dog food only. Thank you! Pet's info: Dog | Bulldog | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 3 months old | 48 lbs

Debi Matlack · Accepted Answer

It's best if your dog is fed mostly the formulated dog food for hsi age range and activity level, and offering people food only as treats occasionally. He will not starve to death if he is in otherwise good health, though he may try to make you feel guilty that he is. Feed him the best quality food you can afford, determine how much he needs per day based on his weight and activity level then divide that amount into however many meals you want to feed him per day. Three times daily is ideal but with schedules, it can be difficult, so twice a day is what many people opt for. Put his meal down, give him twenty or thirty minutes to eat it then take up any remaining food until the next meal. Don't give him treats unless it is for training or because he has done something you taught him when asked to do so. When the next meal time comes, give him his food and another 20-30 minutes to eat. He'll begin to understand that if he wants to eat he'll have to do it when the food is available and not whenever he wants. If you want to continue feeding him people food it's up to you, but in the long run keeping him on a diet formulated for his needs will be best.

My picky dog won't eat his food without human leftovers. What to do?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

What's the best way to feed my hamster when I'm going on a trip?

Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?

Is Purina Layer Pellets good for chickens? What other feeds exist?

My newly adopted pet won't eat hay. What can I do to encourage it?

My mice eat all their food together from one bowl. Is this normal?

Share