5 WAYS TO HANDLE A FUSSY DOG

He’s supposed to be man’s best friend. But if you’re sick of trying – and failing – to get your dog to eat his dinner, your relationship has probably gone to the dogs.

Wish you could overcome your dog’s food fussiness? These tips from Cooper’s Pet Kitchen are a great place to start.

RESTRICT SNACKING

Remember how your parents used to tell you that snacking before dinner would ruin your appetite? The same applies to dogs. If your pooch grazes on snacks throughout the day, his appetite will suffer when you actually want him to eat. Restrict the number of snacks Murphy eats so you can focus his calorie consumption on main meal times. Snacks can be useful for specific purposes like training but stick to low-calorie options designed especially for dogs.

CONTROL FOOD PORTIONS

If your dog doesn’t want to eat his dinner, it could be that you’re feeding him too much or too frequently.

TURN IT INTO A GAME

Your dog’s fussiness could be less about the food he’s eating and more about boredom. Turn dinner time into a game by hiding Spot’s bowl around the garden or putting a portion of his dinner inside a container and challenging him to get it out.

JUST ADD WATER

If Fido seems to struggle at dinner time, it could be because he physically finds it too hard to eat what’s in front of him. Hard and crunchy kibbles might not suit growing pups or older dogs with sensitive teeth. A simple trick is to add a few splashes of water to their kibble to soften it up. The softer the kibble, the easier he’ll be able to wolf it down.

TOUGH LOVE

If you still have problems with your dog’s fussiness, it might be time for some tough love. Start by giving Charlie a set eating window. If he doesn’t get through it all or turns his nose up at it, simply take it away. If he’s really hungry, he’ll soon learn the importance of eating dinner within a certain timeframe. If you need a hand with your dog’s fussiness, switching dog food brands could be the answer.