Does your dog not eat his kibble? Here’s What It Could Be (And Here’s What You Can Do About It)

Assess seriousness

First, it is important to check if your dog is sick or in pain. Are you in doubt? Then always go to the vet for a check-up. Also, watch closely for signs of possible illness. You can notice it, among other things, by abnormal behavior such as aggression, restlessness or lethargy, a high temperature, a swollen belly, wheezing, panting, drooling, diarrhea or if your dog has the blank look in his eyes. It is also possible that your dog has a toothache or a clogged digestive tract, always contact the veterinarian if in doubt.

Feed a puppy

If your dog is still a puppy, it’s always a good idea to go to the vet if you notice that he’s not eating his kibble. The nutrition of a puppy is very important, because the animal still has to grow. Too little nutrition can lead to blood sugar levels that are too low and that can be dangerous.

Vomiting bile = hunger!

Many people think it’s not a good idea to feed your dog if the animal is vomiting bile. But dogs usually vomit bile on an empty stomach! They call it the feeling of hunger. The solution is simply to feed your dog. If your dog vomits bile for a long time in the morning, you can try giving him smaller portions more often throughout the day.

Cheerful and joyful?

Does your dog still behave in a good mood despite the fact that the kibble is not finished? So the cause is usually innocent. Just like a human, a dog can survive a few days without eating, although it is important that the animal continues to drink well. So don’t panic! In fact, dogs sense when you panic, which can stress them out. So at least try to avoid that.

Innocent causes

Is your dog not sick? Then there is probably nothing serious and the problem is easy to solve! Maybe your dog is stressed because of a change in his routine? Or has his appetite diminished due to castration or simply because he is getting old.

In any case, you should not stock

If your dog abandons his kibble, it is important not to give him extra (excessive) attention. Otherwise, your dog will remember that he is attracting attention if he leaves his kibble and will use it against you to compel attention. Also, do not put pressure on the animal to eat its kibble, as this can again cause stress. Don’t immediately switch to other songs out of panic, as you may unintentionally make the problem worse.

What can you do?

Put the kibble away if your dog doesn’t start eating right away and don’t pamper him. This way you teach the dog that he is only fed at certain times. You can try putting the food in a different place and putting the kibble in another bowl of food. If that doesn’t work, you can make dry food more flavorful and aromatic by adding warm water. By the way, mixing a raw egg into the chunks is also very good for your dog, so it’s definitely worth a try!

In short

Learn to recognize the signs of illness and understand your dog by paying attention to his behavior. If in doubt, always contact the veterinarian and do not panic immediately. Don’t coddle your dog if he gives up his kibble and try to encourage the animal to eat his kibble by adjusting the routine or adding extra flavor.