Wondering Why Your Dog Doesn't Touch Its Food? Here Are Possible Explanations

Whether you’re a long-time pet owner or are a first-timer, you’ve probably experienced frustration when your dog refuses to touch its food. It may be because your furry pal is a picky eater (breeds such as Daschunds, Poodles, and Shih Tzus are known to be finicky), but it’s also possible that the reason is an underlying health condition.

It’s better to determine the cause before jumping to conclusions, so a checkup with your trusted veterinarian is always a good idea. Still, forewarned is forearmed, and there’s no harm in learning about the possible causes of your dog’s loss of appetite, such as the following:

Your dog may have a health condition

If your furry pal has an unusually low appetite, it could signal that something is causing them pain or discomfort — a toothache, an infection, etc. There’s no saying how serious it can be, which is why a visit to the vet is your best bet.

Your dog is uncomfortable with its surroundings

Some dogs are harder to feed when moved to a new location or brought to unfamiliar surroundings. They are prone to anxiety in the presence of unknown faces and other pets.

Your dog’s appetite may have changed with age

Just like humans, a dog’s appetite and senses of smell and taste are known to decline as they grow older. This is why they’re less likely to show enthusiasm during feeding time.

Your dog is not used to its new pet food

An abrupt change in dog food can affect your doggo’s appetite, and in some cases can lead to vomiting and an upset stomach. It usually takes them five to seven days to adjust, so the key is to gradually make the transition instead of all at once.

Your dog struggles with the size of the kibble

Did you know that kibble size, shape, and density can impact their appetite? Depending on the dog’s breed, size, and age, some of them may have a hard time chewing larger pieces of kibble.

So how do you help them overcome these factors? It starts with going for pet food that is specific to your dog’s breed, age, size, lifestyle, and health needs. Royal Canin, for one, has a wide range of wet and dry dog food products that offer precise nutrition for different kinds of dogs.

1. For dogs picky with kibble size, Royal Canin has variants catering to specific breeds, including Bulldog, Beagle, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, and Golden Retriever. Each variant is tailored to each breed’s recommended kibble size, taste, and nutritional value.

2. For those who want to explore new but safe meal plans for their dog, try mixed feeding — a combination of wet and dry pet foods, both of which Royal Canin offers for each breed, size, and age.

3. If age is the factor you want to address the most, choose between Royal Canin’s variants for puppies (from two months old), adults (ages 1 to 7), and mature dogs (ages 8 and above). These age-specific variants are also categorized into breed sizes: X-Small, Mini, Medium, and Maxi.

4. If your pet has a sensitivity or diagnosed health problem, Royal Canin has products that can aid in their recovery. This includes products for Coat Care, Skin Care, Dermacomfort, Joint Care, Urinary, Hypoallergenic, Cardiac, and Renal. Same as the others, these have variants for different breeds, sizes, and ages.

5. If you need help stimulating a dog’s appetite, check out Royal Canin's Exigent variant, which is precisely for this concern. As most pet owners know, sometimes all their furry pals need is a little nudge.

Remember: Just be patient with your doggo; you’ll be able to determine what works for them sooner or later. After all, you and your furry pal know each other best.

Shop Royal Canin products via your local pet store, Lazada, or Shopee. Visit the Royal Canin PH website and Facebook page.