Q&A for How to Get Your Dog to Eat the Dog Food It Does Not Like

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What should I do if my dog won't eat their normal dog food?

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian
Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

Brian Bourquin, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

If your previously normal eater stops eating its regular food, it's a good idea to talk to your vet.

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Question

Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat treats?

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian
Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

Brian Bourquin, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Sometimes, dogs become picky eaters when their owners spoil them with tasty table tidbits or reward their picky eating by hand-feeding or offering an even more tasty alternative.

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Question

How long can a dog go without food or water?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

A dog can go without food for around three weeks, although this isn't recommended and they will get very thin. However, water is essential. A dog's cells depend on water and their body is around 70% water. A dog will become extremely sick with as few as 2 or 3 days without water.

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Question

What can I feed my dog instead of dog food?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Dogs can eat a wide variety of human foods, but the trick is to make sure the diet is balanced in the long term. Many owners feed a deficient diet without realizing it, which can be bad for their pet in the long term. To feed a properly healthy well-balanced doggy diet, speak with a veterinary nutritionist who can create a bespoke menu for your dog.

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Question

What can you feed your dog when you run out of dog food?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

In the short term, feed boiled pasta, boiled potato, or boiled rice and a protein such as fish, meat, egg, or cottage cheese. If you're feeling creative, add in a bit of steamed vegetable. This will tide a dog over but isn't balanced in the long term.

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Question

How do I train my dog to eat dog food?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Add a small amount of dog food to their regular meal. If the dog picks out the dog food, fine, but then there's nothing else until the next meal. No snacks or treats! Then repeat the same regimen. As the dog becomes less selective about what they eat, gradually increase the amount of dog food and cut back on the other food. For some dogs, this takes weeks.

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