A Pet’s Guide to Mealtime

Can your canine companion eat nonstop? Do you find yourself asking when enough is enough? While the methodology behind why dogs do what they do may remain unclear, we have a few tips to make your dog’s mealtime routine easier.

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The dog that eats anything.

As the pet parent it is your job to create a feeding schedule for your dog. Reinforce the idea of mealtime by taking your dog’s feeding dish away the first time they walk away; this holds true whether they finish their food or not. This will help them to understand that there will not always be food available until the next meal.

The dog with an appetite change.

Your pet’s appetite won’t change on its own. While it may seem unlikely, your dog’s appetite may change because of something in their environment. If someone new has moved in, put them in charge of feeding time with your dog. Has someone moved out? Place an item with that person’s scent near your canine’s food dish. Is there a new dog in the family? Train your dogs to be respectful of each others food. Reward your dogs calm behavior with a meal and punish them for sniffing around another’s food dish.

The dog that won’t eat.

If you find your pet’s appetite isn’t what it used to be and no changes have been made to their environment, the problem may be internal. Most likely it’s physical. This is the time to take your pup to the veterinarian and gain a better understanding of what is going on with your four-legged friend.

As your canine’s pack leader, it is your responsibility to keep them safe and well fed. It is always best to consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about your hungry hound dog’s dietary requirements.

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