Why Won’t My Dog Eat Out of Their Food Bowl?

Whether you have a new dog or not, you may notice some abnormal behavior from your companion. If your pal is not eating from their bowl, read below to find out some causes.

Training

If your pal prefers to eat from your hand instead of from their bowl, this could be due to training. If you or someone else hand-fed your companion as a puppy, they have positively associated with your hand and food. So, they see hand-feeding as a reward and think that you have the best possible food. Even if you are feeding them the same food that is in their bowl, this creates positive reinforcement and the association can occur.

Comfort

Another possibility is your companion may be uncomfortable with who or what is around them. Your pup may prefer to eat alone or in a private part of the house. Try moving the bowl to several locations to determine if this is the cause of the problem and where Fido feels most comfortable enjoying his meals.

Change In Food

The reason your pal is not eating could be simply because of a change in their food. Whether your normal food was out of stock or you switched to soft foods due to an illness, your pal probably won’t like this change of routine. Your pal may be reluctant to eat this new food. However, be patient and try mixing a little bit of the regular food with the new one to help ease the transition.

Needs a Cleaning

You may be surprised to learn that your pal’s bowls should be cleaned daily. You wouldn’t eat off a dirty plate so why should your companion? Your furry friend’s dished can generate a buildup of bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Additionally, food left out can spoil and stagnant water can collect germs. So, your pup can tell that their bowl is dirty and won’t want to eat from it. You should use hot water and soap, vinegar, or baking soda to clean Fido’s dishes daily.

Try out these tips to get your furry friend to eat from their bowl again!