Some dogs get motion sick when traveling. Others have trouble eating in new surroundings following a move. Some dogs dislike being fed in an uncomfortable situation. Try to keep the dog’s bowl in the same place, at a comfortable height, and away from other pets that try to eat the dog’s food. Dogs may react to the departure or arrival of another pet or a family member. The cause may even be something small, like changing furniture or having house work done. Some dogs don’t eat because they want attention from their owner. If the dog ignores its food and looks to you for attention, ignore it. When you feed the dog, put down its food for 10 minutes, ignore it, and throw away whatever doesn’t get eaten. The dog may simply happen to be picky about the type of food he eats.
Keep careful watch on your kids — they aren’t always the best about cooperating with this rule.
Although some types of dogs require more activity than others, ideally, your dog should be getting exercise every day or at least several times a week. If you aren’t capable of participating in physical activity, there are plenty of other ways to have your dog exercised for you. Take him to a doggie day care center, hire a dog walker, or go to a dog park and let the other dogs tire him out.
If the dog is healthy and energetic, but gets distracted before finishing, set his food down and walk away. Come back in a half hour and pick his dish up, even if he hasn’t eaten all of his food. It won’t take him long to realize he needs to eat when he has the chance.
Alternatively, use dog gravy. You can buy this from pet stores. These are just granules that you mix with dry food and warm water that can make the food far more tasty for the dog.
Feed your dog away from other pets. Use a different bowl or place it at a more comfortable height. Feed directly on the floor instead of in a bowl. Some dogs get distracted by activity and have trouble focusing on their meal. Make sure your dog’s food and water dishes are in a quiet spot where he can eat in peace.
If you have a puppy, try getting them used to both canned and dry food so they can experience different varieties of food textures. [7] X Expert Source Brian Bourquin, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 20 December 2019. Changing a dog’s brand of food suddenly can cause obnoxious gas and diarrhea.
Your veterinarian can also weigh your dog and give you a goal weight to aim for.
Do not play rough, go for a run, or do strenuous activity for at least an hour after eating. Doing so can lead to torsion.
The vet can teach you how to clean your dog’s teeth regularly.
