Dogs have the most incredible appetites due to their hot digestive systems. They are known to have no specific taste in food since they can feast on anything. However, you may notice your dog walking away from his food, making you wonder about the cause of the behavior. So, why does my dog walk away from his food?

Your dog is walking away from his food because of these ten reasons:

1. Rotten Food

Dogs are very fussy when it comes to food presented to them. Dogs also use their sense of smell to tell whether food is fresh for consumption or rotten.

Mostly, canned food can get spoilt if not well preserved, and if you put it for your dog, it will walk away as a way of showing you that the food is spoilt and hence not safe for its digestive system.

2. He Dislikes the Food on His Feeder

Your dog may dislike the food you present due to the sickening smell or taste. Also, dry feeds can be so choky that your dog resists them. Therefore, if you change your dog’s diet slightly, it may like or dislike it. Therefore, be present to monitor its behavior while eating to know if it likes it or not.

3. He Dislikes His Food Bowl

Your dog can walk away from his food when it dislikes its bowl. Usually, dogs hate steel bowls as they get too hot or cold, depending on the food. Similarly, if the bowl is too dirty, your dog will not eat his food.

Dogs are very hygienic; therefore, they would want to eat and sleep in a clean space. Try changing the food bowl if the behavior persists and doing regular cleaning to make your dog happy.

4. Oral Infections or Injuries

Oral infections or injuries threaten your dog’s appetite, and it will mostly walk away from his food to avoid hurting himself even more with food in his mouth. Oral infections can be caused by bacteria or fungi, leading to weakened and aching jaws, tongues, or teeth. Also, oral injuries can result from sharp bones poking him, rough games, etc.

5. General Illness

Dogs are strong creatures that do not like showing their illness. However, if they start showing signs of lethargy, it means the illness is too severe, causing much pain.

Dog illness can cause a loss of appetite due to digestive issues that lead to frequent vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, once you notice your dog walking away from his food, have a veterinary check on his health and begin immediate medication.

6. Side Effects of Medication

If your dog is on medication, it may leave its food. Medicine has different side effects, especially when they are strong. However, if your dog keeps walking away from his food, you can have a vet check on it and administer appetite drugs to curb it. Do not let your dog stay without food, as it can lead to starvation, which may lead to death.

7. Stress

Stress is one of the emotional issues that your dog might be facing. Stress can result from fear, anxiety, separation, a new environment, grieving, and violence. Usually, stress causes a sudden lack of appetite. It is essential to gently talk to your dog and find the cause of his stress to improve his condition.

8. Attention Seeking

Dogs love their owners or caretakers’ attention, especially when they have not been around you for some time. Your dog will walk away from his food to have you spend quality time with him to make him eat. This is the dog’s strategy for letting you know it is bonded to you. Sometimes, he wants a friend to help him through his emotions. Always be available for your dog.  

9. He Wants a Treat

Your dog may find his regular diet monotonous and want something sweet with a spice of healthy nutrients. When did you last spoil your dog with its favorite treat? Buy your dog some wet, fresh food that is healthy to please your dog. This will encourage him to eat his food afterwards.

10. He Is Not Hungry

If your dog walks away from his food, it can indicate his fullness. This only happens when he has been eating food more frequently. In this case, he leaves his food bowl where he can access his food whenever he gets hungry.

Why Won’t My Dog Eat His Food But Will Eat Treats?

If your dog won’t eat his food but will eat treats, he suffers from partial anorexia. This is a health issue that makes your dog only want more appealing foods than the regular diet. Have a vet check on your dog to help him recover by administering drugs and offering special diets to increase his appetite.

Besides, your dog may be bored with his regular diet, which he perceives as monotonous. Dogs love the periodic changes in their diet to prevent boredom with their food. Bland food makes dogs lose their appetite. However, when offering treats, ensure they are healthy and provided in moderation.  

Do Dogs Get Bored of Their Food?

Yes, dogs get bored of their food. A dog will get bored of his food’s smell, taste, and texture and hence walk away from his feeding bowl when the same food is offered. This calls for a diet change to give your dog a different taste and smell.

Gradually change your dog’s diet, as sudden changes can lead to constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Should I Take My Dogs Food Away If He Doesn’t Eat It?

It is best to take away your dog’s food if he doesn’t eat it. Leaving his food around him can be problematic since he will want to throw it away, making his kennel or your house dirty. Your dog will enjoy messing up the food offered so it cannot have it anymore.

Why Does My Dog Put His Head in and Out of His Food Bowl?

It is a sign of contentment if you notice your dog putting his head in and out of his food bowl. His food has been good, but he is now complete. Also, your dog is taking a break halfway through his food. It is, therefore, essential to remove his bowl away from him to prevent overfeeding, which can lead to fatal consequences like vomiting and diarrhea

Moreover, this can be a sign of displeasure. Your dog may want something other than the food because it is monotonous or spoiled. Your dog will even walk away from his food bowl, as it prefers to stay hungry rather than have food.

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