How to Get a Puppy to Eat: Tips From a Picky Eater

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but it can be concerning when they’re not eating as expected.

If you’re finding yourself dealing with a picky eater such as myself, I got you!

In this post, I’ll share all the tips and tricks my parents used to finally get me on a healthy eating routine.

Let’s dive in!

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How to Get a Puppy to Eat

A healthy appetite is crucial for your puppy’s growth and well-being.

If you’re facing challenges getting your furry friend to eat, it could be nerve-racking.

You may be thinking that your puppy will get sick from not eating, but according to VCA Hospitals, a healthy dog can go several days without eating.

Since this is not ideal however, there are quite a few things a new pet parent can do to help their puppy eat their meals.

Let’s take a look at some of the strategies that worked wonders with me. Try to implement a couple of these at a time with your puppy so you can easily see what’s working and what isn’t.

Create a Calm Environment

As you may know, us puppies are easily distracted by sounds and movement.

This can make it challenging when it comes to mealtime!

To get a puppy to eat, it helps to find a quiet area where your puppy can focus solely on their food.

Turn off the TV, ask family members to keep the noise level down, and remove any competing smells or tempting distractions.

A calm environment helps your puppy concentrate on eating (yum!)

Set a Time Limit

Once your puppy is on a consistent eating schedule, you may choose to dispense the food from an auto-feeder. However, this is not recommended when you’re dealing with a picky eater!

Allow your puppy around 15-20 minutes to finish their food.

If they don’t eat within that time frame, remove the bowl and try again at the next scheduled meal.

This worked great for me because it let me know that food is not available throughout the day. It created a sense of urgency and scarcity in me, so I knew I had to eat the food before it magically disappeared!

Establish a Routine

Creating a consistent feeding schedule is essential to get a puppy to eat.

Us puppies thrive on routine, and knowing when to expect meals to be served can really help stimulate our appetite.

Aim for three to four small meals a day, spaced evenly apart.

By sticking to a routine, your puppy’s body will start to anticipate when food will be available, making him or her more willing to eat!

When I was an itty bitty pup, my parents fed me three times a day. As I grew bigger, they started feeding me only twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening.

You can find me sitting by my bowl patiently waiting at mealtimes now!

Offer Praise and Rewards

Positive reinforcement can work wonders to get a puppy to eat.

Shower them with praise, gentle strokes, and words of encouragement when they approach their food bowl or take a bite.

You can also offer small treats as rewards for finishing their meals.

This positive association with mealtime can make it an enjoyable experience for your puppy.

Once little quirk that I have is that I don’t like to eat the food straight from the bowl.

Instead, I like to bring it out and eat it on the floor next to the bowl. So to encourage me to eat, my parents would take out a few pieces and leave them around the bowl, leading me to it.

Once I started eating the pieces outside the bowl, I remembered how good it tasted, so then I continued eating the pieces in the bowl!

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Try different feeding techniques

Some puppies may have preferences when it comes to feeding methods.

Experiment with different techniques to see what works best for your furry friend.

You can try hand-feeding small portions, using interactive feeding toys, or even scattering food on the floor for them to search and eat, like my parents did with me!

Find the method that piques their interest and encourages them to eat.

This may require some trial and error, but trust me, it pays off!

Oh, and if you haven’t followed my Instagram page, check out this funny video my mom made of me eating at the table like a human!

Serve Nutritious and Tasty Meals

Who doesn’t love a delicious meal?

Ensure you’re feeding your pup a well-balanced diet that fulfills all their nutritional needs.

Consult with a veterinarian to determine the best type and amount of food suitable for their age and breed.

Oh, and don’t forget to add some flavor!

Mixing in a little wet food or adding healthy toppings can make a puppy’s taste buds dance with joy 🙂

If you’re interested in learning how to make delicious and nutritious home cooked meals for your fur baby, I recommend you try Real Food for Dogs.

This resource comes jam-packed with awesome recipes your puppy is sure to love!

Conclusion on How to Get a Puppy to Eat

By creating an enjoyable mealtime experience, offering nutritious and delicious food, and providing a calm and comfortable environment, you’ll help your puppy develop healthy eating habits and ensure they grow up to be a happy and healthy doggo.

Bon appétit!

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