Most pets are voracious eaters, devouring every morsel of food in their bowls as soon as they hit the floor. They couldn’t care less about what kind of food you fed them. Table scraps, grocery store brand food, canned or dry, it makes no difference. If you have a pet like this, consider yourself very lucky, as your life can become easier.
There are some pets who, no matter what kind of research you do about the best possible food, or the tastiest meals, will stick their noses up at most everything you put down. Having a dog or cat who is picky about what they eat can tie you up in knots, causing you to read every label, wasting money on foods they won’t eat, or inadvertently training your pet to rely on kitchen scraps for their sustenance. This can lead to an overweight, unhealthy pet who has trained you to feed them what they want and not what is best for them. Here are some tips to re-train your pet to eat what is given to them, and not hold out for something else.
No Table Food
It’s definitely tempting to feed your pet off of your own plate, especially when you can’t help but notice their big sad eyes staring at you while you eat. Table scraps can not only be unhealthy for your pet, but may teach them to think that it's normal to eat what you eat when you eat it. Most high grade dog and cat foods contain the correct mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and you’d be surprised at the variety of foods out there There has to be something for everyone.
If you have trained your pet to accept treats at table, begin to train them to stay in a certain area of the house, preferably away from your dinner table. This way the begging carries no weight. Cats may need to be closed in a room while you’re eating. Giving treats at other times is fine, but the pet needs to learn that family meal time does not include them.
Be consistent
As with any training for your pet, consistency is key. If you slip up and feed Fido off of your plate, training could be delayed, because you’re not holding up to your end of the deal. Do everything the same all of the time. This goes for family members and visitors, if you have people over for meals.
Do your homework
A little research into what may be best for your pet and the family dynamic can prevent picky eaters later. For example, cats are hunters, and in the wild, will eat several small meals per day than one big meal; for this reason, splitting their daily food into smaller meals is best. Dogs, on the other hand, can eat one large meal per day. If you see your pet eating a certain flavor of food more voraciously than others, stick with what works. Canned foods and dry foods can be mixed, as many pets prefer foods with gravy or juices, just make sure they are not gaining too much weight (dry food tends to have fewer calories.)
Pet owners should also research what goes into the food that they feed their pets. Many store bought foods are loaded with fillers, such as corn, beet pulp, and cellulose; while these things can make your pet feel full, they do not add any nutrition. Ask your vet for the best brands and ingredients for your pet.
Your pet will learn what he or she likes as you are learning what is best, so that any episodes of pickiness can be researched to ensure that a medical condition, such as dental disease or gastrointestinal woes, isn’t what is causing your pet to refuse food.
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