Should I take my dog s food away if he doesn t eat it

Should I Take My Dogs Food Away If He Doesnt Eat It?

Dogs have a reputation for eating everything and anything you put in front of them. Some dog owners, however, know firsthand that this isnt the case for every dog.

Just as we have our nuances and quirks, some dogs are finicky and often turn up their nose at food when its provided during mealtimes. This is frustrating to us as pet parents because we want to make sure our precious pup is eating enough to live a happy, healthy life.

So, what do we do? Do we pick up the bowl and try again later, or leave the food down all day so they can come and go as they please?

We do not recommend leaving a bowl of food available all day for a picky pup. If your dog refuses food during the designated meal time, we suggest picking it up and packing it away after 10 to 20 minutes. You may then try again at the next mealtime and, under most circumstances, dogs will return to eating at this time.

We think we have dogs all figured out, but theyre more complicated than we give them credit for. Ready to find out more? Read on!

Understanding a Dogs Eating Habits

We as humans have plenty in common with our furry, four-legged friends. Both of us need a well-balanced diet to live our healthiest and happiest lives.

Our exact nutritional requisites, calorie quotas, and specific eating habits, however, are nothing alike whatsoever. While we generally sit down for an organized breakfast, lunch, and dinner, dogs dont need to eat with the same frequency.

Its common for pet parents to provide breakfast and dinner, breaking up their dogs total daily calorie intake in two sessions for easier digestibility, but one meal in the middle of the day is popular too.

In fact, the Dog Whisperer himself, Cesar Milan, feeds only one meal a day to his dogs, served at noon. Given this, its not unusual for a dog to ignore meals at any other time.

Additionally, your dog might skip a meal for a wide variety of reasons. Many of their reasons are no cause for concern. For example, you may present a bowl of kibble each day, only to be met with sad puppy dog eyes.

Youre just trying to serve them a balanced diet, but theyre treating it like a betrayal. Theyre your best friend, and this is how you repay their loyalty.

You cant take the guilt, so you cave and grab a box of treats, leftover chicken, bacon bits, whatever you can, to spruce up their meal and inspire them to eat.

Of course, theyre more eager to eat now, but do you see what happened there? Their hunger strike got them a better deal, and theyll always resort to this tactic if it gets them what they want.

Be strong. A nutritionally complete diet is healthier than table scraps.

Should I take my dogs food away?

So, the question remains. If they have access to their food and theyre not diving in, do you leave it out buffet-style or take the option off the table?

On the one hand, taking it away deprives them of food if they get hungry later. On the other hand, letting them dictate how and when they eat reinforces the behavior.

Plus, letting the food sit will let the air get to it and make it even less appealing. Worse yet, bugs might take notice that theres free food available, and then youll have another problem!

Instead of letting your dog graze throughout the day, place down the food when its mealtime, then pick it up after 10 or 20 minutes. This provides an appropriate window of time for them to eat, if theyre interested, but also communicates that theyll have to be decisive if they want to have food.

There will be no games, no holding out for extra treats, or an alternate menu. You, as pack leader, have provided food, and they must eat it if they want to have it.

While this may sound cold, dogs are pack animals that thrive in a hierarchy, so communicating your role as an alpha will only work wonders in other aspects of your lives together.

To learn more about training your dog proper food etiquette, check out our article How to Teach Your Dog to Wait for Permission Before Eating.

How to Encourage Your Dog to Eat

Maybe your dog is actually hungry, but they need a little incentive to chow down.

Generally speaking, we want our dogs to gobble up what we give with no complaint, but some dogs are more finicky than others. Small dogs and toy breeds in particular can be tricky. After all, they need a minimal amount of calories to sustain good health, so they often dont mind holding out for something better.

Here are a few tips and tricks for enticing your picky pup to eat:

• Add a topper: Would you be excited about a plate of dry kibble? Add something more appetizing by incorporating toppers, gravies, sauces, and other specially formulated pet food additives.
• Rotate proteins: Switching brands can sometimes upset your poor pooches belly, but rotating proteins may be a quick and easy way to add a little variety, the spice of life, into their diet. Are they sick of chicken? Try pork, lamb, or salmon.
• Switch the type of diet: Maybe times up on kibble diets. Today, fresh, refrigerated diets are rising in prevalence, as are frozen and freeze-dried raw food. Switching the boring kibble for something similar to human-grade food might be just the thing to get your pup to plow down their chow.
• Change dinnertime: Maybe it isnt the food, but the time of day. Does your dog turn up their sniffer in the morning but start begging by their bowl in the evening? Stop pouring them food first thing and start feeding them at night, in that case, to accommodate their preference.

Sometimes a simple adjustment in when or what theyre eating is enough to get them to eat their food. Before doing a total overhaul, we recommend the above strategies.

Potential Health Concerns

Meal skipping is often no cause for alarm, but its never a great sign if your dog wont eat anything at all for 48 hours or more. The situation is even more serious if they refuse water as well, and you should call your vet immediately if they show any signs of dehydration.

Here are some medical reasons why a dog might lose their appetite:

• Anxiety or stress
• Dental disease
• Oral pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Intestinal parasites
• Pancreatitis
• Upset stomach
• Infection
• Fever
• Cancer
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Lung disease
• Congestive Heart Failure

Going long periods without eating can also create health problems for your dog in the long run. Malnourishment is among the most probable outcomes, as your dog will almost certainly be missing out on all the calories, nutrients, and vitamins they need to sustain a healthy weight and metabolic function.

If your dog goes more than two days without eating or more than one day without drinking water, seek veterinary advice immediately.

Final Thoughts

In most cases, a finicky dog who refuses their meals is nothing more than an inconvenient personality quirk. If theyre not eating during mealtimes, you might feel inclined to leave the dish all day so your dog can come and go as they please, but wed advise against this.

Leaving the bowl down sends the wrong message. It gives the dog too much authority in a situation where they should be following your lead as a responsible pet parent. Plus, leaving the bowl out only compromises the quality of the kibble and attracts pests who will make even more problems for you to deal with.

Monitor your dog carefully for signs of a medical condition and, if your dog really wont eat after two days, you should consider contacting the vet immediately.

Otherwise, be ready to make a few adjustments to your pets diet and feeding schedule until you find an arrangement that works well for you and them. That way, youll both enjoy a happy, healthy life together!

Bon appetit!

Should I Take My Dogs Food Away at Night? (Solved & Explained!)

You should take your dogs food away at night because dogs that eat at night may experience digestive problems.

Making a specific daytime feeding program is best for your dog, and not allow her to eat after the last evening meal.

How Often Should I Feed My Dog?

If your dog is an adult, between 2 and 3 daily meals is sufficient. More meals than this number will cause your dog to gain weight or experience digestive issues.

Usually, dogs are not very hungry when they wake up in the morning, so you can substitute a morning meal for an afternoon meal if your dog tends to be hungrier at lunch.

Another meal should be given in the evening. Make sure that you do not give your dog a snack before the evening meal because it can suppress your dogs appetite.

If you are following a regular feeding diet, never give your dog your human food from your plate. Not only will this encourage a begging habit, but they will prefer to eat your food than their own and miss out on many of the nutrients that dogs need.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

There are two types of eating methods, restricted or controlled eating, where you determine the amount to give them, usually based on their age, breed, and weight. The second method is free eating, where your dog decides how much to eat for herself.

If your dog is constantly active during the day, then free eating should not be an issue. However, if you have a dog that is constantly lying on the couch, then restricted eating might be best.

Whether you choose free eating or restricted, make sure your dogs food is always kept full in a fixed place. Dogs like routine, especially around mealtimes.

How Frequently Should I Feed My Dog?

More frequent meals are usually offered in small amounts, as some dogs prefer to graze than guzzling down their food.

If your dog tends to finish their bowl in one sitting, then make sure to leave at least 4 6 hours between meals to ensure proper digestion.

In all circumstances, it is best to consult your veterinarian. They will provide you with a recommended feeding schedule based on your dogs breed, age, and weight.

Can You Take Water ; Food From a Puppy at Night?

Puppies eat more frequently than adult dogs but you should still refrain from feeding them at night.

Puppies digestive systems are still developing and do not cope well with nighttime feeds. Feeding puppies at night can lead to bloating and discomfort.

You should always leave water down for your puppy, and your adult dog, no matter the time of day or night.

Is It Bad to Feed Dogs Late at Night?

Feeding your dog at night is a pretty bad habit. Dogs that eat late at night tend to experience irregular weight gain and pass stools with greater difficulty.

Regular late-night feeds can lead to various health problems in the future. Also, dogs that eat at night will want to use the toilet at night too, so they may expect you to take them out late or in the middle of the night.

Should I Take My Dogs Food Away if He Doesnt Eat it?

If you are controlling your dogs eating times then taking the food away if they dont eat it is a good training method.

Your dog needs to learn what times of the day she needs to eat. This way, when you put food in front of her, she will know that it wont stick around forever and she is expected to finish her bowl in one sitting.

Should Dogs Have Food Available at All Times?

Unless they are incredibly active all day, dogs who have food topped up and available all day may consume more energy than they are burning off.

Just like humans, overeating can lead to several health problems caused by excessive weight gain such as diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, and more. Also, dogs without a regular feeding schedule need more frequent toileting, which means extra responsibility for you.

Veterinarians say that some dogs need to be fed 1 to 2 times a day, while others feel the need to eat 2 or 3 times a day.

Is it Cruel to Feed a Dog Once a Day?

Adult dogs should be fed at least 2 times a day. But some dog owners think that it is healthier to feed their dogs once a day, and they reduce their feeding program to one meal.

It is a controversial issue, but some dogs may be on one meal a day for a good reason. Usually, if your dog is undergoing a course of medication, needs to lose weight, or is elderly and mostly immobile, one meal a day is sufficient or necessary.

Otherwise, your dog should be fed at least twice a day. Only feed your dog once a day under the advice of a vet.

Will Dogs Stop Eating When Full?

Although dogs can be gluttonous at times, they stop eating when they are full eventually!

Some experts state that dogs can eat until they reach the point of vomiting. This is because dogs do not have an enhanced sense of satiety as we do, and they will continue to eat until they finish what is put in front of them.

How Can I Change My Dogs Eating Habits?

The most important thing you need to do to change your dogs eating habits is to make a nutritional program for her.

To change your dogs eating habits, you can start by keeping the hours between feeding short, and over time, you can space the feeds further apart.

Will My Dog Be Hungry at Night?

Dogs that receive the necessary nutrients during the day do not feel the need to eat outside of the order they are accustomed to. If you familiarize your dog with a daytime eating pattern, she will tend to repeat that pattern quite happily throughout her life.

My name is Ken and Im one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. Ive cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.