If your previously bowl-friendly dog has suddenly stopped eating from their dish, it can be worrying and frustrating for any owner. However, there are several potential reasons behind this behavior change. By methodically working through some key questions, you can usually identify the cause and resolve the issue.
Consider Any Recent Changes
Think back – has anything in your dog’s environment changed recently? This could provide clues as to what has unsettled them. Some examples include:
- New home, room or location of food bowl
- New people or pets in the home
- Loud noises now occurring at mealtimes (e.g. baby crying)
- Illness or veterinary visit
- New food type, brand or amount
Take note if the refusal to eat from their bowl began close to any of these events.
Assess Their Food Bowl Itself
The bowl itself may put your dog off their food, even if they previously used it without fuss. Consider the following:
- Material – try switching between plastic, metal, or ceramic
- Size & depth – is the bowl now too big or too small for your dog?
- Height – is it difficult for them to reach into?
- Location – could proximity to noises or appliances be an issue?
- Cleaning – when was the bowl last thoroughly washed?
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Make The Meal Appeal More Irresistible
Tempt their appetite by tweaking what goes in the bowl:
- Add a little wet food or broth to dry kibble
- Warm the food very slightly to increase the aroma
- Sprinkle on some safe human food scraps
- Place small piles of food around the bowl rather than one big portion
Manage Time Food Is Left Out
Having food available at all times can reduce motivation to eat. To promote mealtimes:
- Set a limit of 15-30 minutes per meal
- Remove uneaten food until the next mealtime
- Ensure no access to food scraps between scheduled meals
Usually, a dog will adapt to the routine of limited access over a week or two.
Make Eating More Fun!
Turn boring bowl-feeding into an enriching game with puzzle toys like:
- Snuffle Mat – hide kibble inside for them to forage out
- Kong – stuff dry or wet food inside this popular chew toy
- Treat balls – kibble drops out as the ball is batted around
This taps into your dog’s natural scavenging instincts.
By identifying the potential cause – environmental changes, an unpleasant bowl, boring food, or unlimited access – you can troubleshoot solutions. Be patient, persistent, and creative and your dog should revert back to happily eating from their bowl.