Why are some dogs fussy eaters?

Did you know 44%* of dogs are fussy with their food?

This might be hard to believe for those of us with food-oriented dogs who eat anything that's up for grabs (Labradors, we're looking at you). But having a fussy dog is more common than you think.

Breeds

There are lots of reasons why a dog might be fussy. These can range from behavioural and environmental factors, to health and genetics. Certain breeds are predisposed to fussiness and although every dog is different and there are no guarantees, we see more fussy eaters in breeds such as:

• Poodles and poodle mixes
• Shih Tzus
• French Bulldogs
• Dachshunds 
• Chihuahuas
• Yorkshire Terriers
• Cocker Spaniels
• Pomeranians

Environment

Where a dog eats can play a big part in how much they enjoy mealtimes. Think about it like this: if you went to a restaurant and ordered your favourite meal, but the restaurant was noisy and there were people running around and your table was next to a door that kept opening every five minutes. It wouldn't matter how good the food was, you wouldn't enjoy it.

The same can be true for dogs. A lot of pet parents feed their dog in the kitchen, often near the back door or the bins. There's usually a lot going on in a kitchen, especially at breakfast or dinner time when meals are being prepared. This can be off-putting for your dog when they are trying to eat.

Dogs also have extremely sensitive noses, so if their bowl is next to the bin the smell of this can overwhelm the smell of their food. Similarly, loud nosies such as drawers or cupboards slamming can frighten them (particularly anxious dogs). Over time, your dog can begin to associate mealtimes with stress and be reluctant to eat as a result. 

On the other end of the spectrum, some dogs will be more interested in what's going on around them and not pay any attention to their food. If they can smell human food cooking, this will be much more appealing than a bowl of cold kibble - so they will ignore their food and hope something better is offered. 

Health

None of us want to think about food when we're not feeling well. If your dog has recurring health issues this can impact their appetite.

For example, dogs who have sensitive stomachs and have been sick after eating certain foods in the past will likely remember the experience. This can put them off eating similar foods e.g. if they were sick after eating fish previously, they may not want to eat fish-based meals again (even if it's a different brand or recipe).

Dental issues are a common factor, particularly among older dogs. If a dog's teeth are hurting this can make eating unpleasant, even if they're hungry. Steering clear of hard kibble or chews, or mixing in broths or water with meals to make the texture softer can help.

Older dogs are also more likely to suffer from joint issues. Bending down to eat from a bowl on the floor can be painful, so if your dog has sore joints try using a raised bowl.

* based on a survey of 2509 dog parents in the UK from an in-house statistical analysis of >220,000 dogs