Is Your Pet a Picky Eater?

Published June 4, 2018 at 4:08 pm

pet

Did your cat turn his nose up at dinner?

Perhaps he wasn’t hungry or maybe he didn’t like his food.

Or he’s probably just a picky eater. But, are picky eaters born or are they made?

According to the Canadian Animal Health Institute, pets want to eat and they have a strong drive to do so. And, there are several reasons why yours may not be eating dinner.

Your pet’s overall behaviour around the food bowl will give you some clues.

Here’s what you need to check.


Is your pet not finishing everything in the bowl?
Perhaps it’s too much food. Cats and small dogs in particular eat a very small number of daily calories, compared to humans. Your vet can help determine an appropriate amount. Calorie content can vary depending on different diets. So, it’s a good practice to measure or weigh daily feeding amounts. That way your pet can maintain a healthy weight.


Does your pet love snacks and treats?
Eating too many snacks during the day, makes you less hungry for meals. For your pet, it’s the same! Additionally, if your pet comes to expect a tasty top-dressing on its food, then he/she is more likely to wait for meals. Make sure that you’re not giving your pet too many treats, not more than 10 per cent of its daily calories.


Does your pet usually not eat the food from the bottom half of the bag?
Exposure to air makes kibble stale over time. Keep the food in the bag in which it was packaged. If you can, keep the whole bag in a sealable container protected from extreme temperatures. A bag of kibble should last you for a month. And, canned foods should be consumed within three days of opening, kept covered and refrigerated. If your pet didn’t eat the canned food you served, throw it out after 20-30 minutes.


Does your pet drop its food?
If your pet picked up to chew its food and then dropped it or is reluctant to pick up its food to chew, that might mean a sore tooth or other oral health issues. A quick check at the vet is a good idea.


Is your pet eating less than he/she used to?
A visit to the vet is a must! Decrease in your pet’s appetite could be a sign of change in your pet’s health. If he/she has refused more than one diet, it’s ideal to let the vet check him/her up.

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