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Does your pet often hate the sight and taste of the food you try to give to them? Don’t worry, it’s a common problem. Both humans and animals can be fussy eaters; we all have our own likes and dislikes for food, and these habits usually start in early childhood, or early kitten or pup hood.
But when it comes to feeding your pet, it’s important to realise where these fussy eating habits are coming from, and what you can do about it. And because of this, we’ve listed the two most common reasons for fussy eating below, and what you should do next – be sure to keep them in mind if your pet is regularly turning their nose up at a full bowl.
They’ve Picked Up Some Bad Habits
And by bad habits, we mean being fed table scraps and bits of human food on a regular basis, and now their own food doesn’t seem so tasty anymore… Don’t worry, it doesn’t make you a bad owner! We all want to share a bit of the marvelous meals we make for ourselves with our puppies and kittens when they sit under the table with us, and who could say no to those eyes?!
They’re Bored with Their Diet
Both dogs and cats have far less taste receptors than we as humans do, but that doesn’t mean they want the same food over and over again! So, if you’ve been feeding your four legged friend the same food over and over again for years now, and they’ve been gradually eating less and less, and walking away from their bowl entirely, there’s a good chance your pet wants a bit more variety in their diet! Cats especially are known for being ‘fussy eaters’ in a manner like this.
What To Do Next
If your pet is bored with their diet, it’s an easy fix. You need to introduce new foods slowly, and mix them in with their old food to get your pet to consider them. For example, using a dog food delivery service could be your best option here, as new and interesting flavors will be mailed to you regularly, which gives your dog a good adjustment period to find out what new foods they like, and which ones they don’t.
If your pet has some bad habits, you’re going to have to work on them, which can take much longer. Simply put, it’s time to take the human option away – absolutely no human food or scraps of leftovers for them anymore. Similarly, only leave their food out for a limited time, and then take it away – they’ll very quickly learn that if they’re hungry, they need to eat the food you put down for them before it’s gone! It might seem cruel but it’s necessary, and it’ll save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
When using the tips above, your pet doesn’t have to be a fussy eater for long.