The majority of dogs don’t get bored of their food. Whilst humans have around 9000 taste buds, dogs only have about 1700 – meaning they’re just not interested in a variety of food in the same way we are.
When dogs aren’t eating their kibble, it’s usually attention-seeking, tiredness or just them looking for something better, so it’s important to work out whether they’re genuinely bored of their food, or just being fussy.
Set mealtimes
Make sure you’re not giving into puppy-dog eyes between mealtimes. If your dog doesn’t finish their food, try taking it away after 20 minutes and avoid giving any treats or titbits until their next meal. You’ll probably find your dog wolfs the next meal down. If they’re still not tucking in after a day or so, there are some other tips you can try.
Try to avoid top ups
We know it’s worrying when your dog’s not eating, and it can be tempting to give them a bite of your chicken dinner or some treats. But try to resist! Some pups are super smart and have learnt if they hold out just a little longer… They’ll get something something extra special.
Puzzle or interactive feeders
Puzzle feeders and interactive feeders (like snuffle mats) can add some fun to mealtimes. They’re great for mental stimulation – and receiving praise when they’ve finished the puzzle is irresistible for any dog.
Add something new
If your dog won’t finish their kibble on its own, try adding vegetables, low-salt gravy or even some wet food. These all add new textures and flavours that will entice your dog back to their bowland get them excited again.
I’m not entirely sure that this is true. It might be my particular mutt, but I find that rotating foods gets a better response throughout the week and minimizes food wastage. Having said that, feeding a better quality brand of dog food does seem to improve the fussiness factor!
There als seems to be a benefit to rotating the protein to prevent food allergies from developing?
I know for a fact our dogs do get bored of their food. I do a bi-weekly rotation for our dogs. Now they don’t get tired of the food they used to eat. Luckily they don’t have transition issues with their tummies as they are used to it.
I have found that since we started using “TAILS” lady never turns her nose up at it any time, and shows no signs ofr bieng bored with her frood,previously we used kibbles, but was very hity missy with the amount she ate, so the answer is , a balancd nutritional diet (TAILS)
Wow I never knew that dogs tasted water differently than humans! So interesting! Thanks for the article!
Our pup has been on Tails now for a few months and loved it initially, but now seems to have completely gone off her food! We have now cancelled our order with you but have a load of your food and the dog seems very disinterested in it. Reading on other sites it seems quite common that a dog would get bored of eating the same food twice a day. Any suggestions?
Hi Eleanor,
our team can help you with that! You can contact them via hello@tails.com
Kind regards,
Sophie
Is changing food too fast cause diarrhea ,or is the dog super sensitive? we have a chihuahua mix who has no problem with the gradual introduction of a different food. But our Chi purebred gets diarrhea very easily no matter how long we draw out the food introduction. She also has a constant ear infection no matter what we and a consult with our vet does. She also gets itchy paws. We had a allergy study done and she is highly allergic to human dander, some plants and insects, but mostly human dander. What can we give her or do better to help our girl. She also tolerates canned pumpkin very well which we give her on the first day of diarrhea on day one, and no more diarrhea! Please help Thanks to all
Hi Debbie,
Can you please send this question to hello@tails.com so that our team of experts can help you?
Kind regards,
Sophie
Hi Debbie
Have you had a reply to this message. I’m very interested in the response as I have exactly the same issues woth my Maltipom.
I have two small dogs Shih Tzu 5 yrs old weights 9 lbs; Bison Frise/Poodle 11 yrs old weighs 12 lbs. Both love chicken liver! I mostly use the liver to camouflage meds, which they need to take on a daily. Is there danger of too much chicken liver? They gobble up their kibbles when I mix with their kibbles.
I have a 4 month old belfian malinois she used to love eating her kibble but then she wasn’t finishing her food then every lunch when I feed her she dosen’t eat unless I add rice is she bored of her food?
I have a 8 month old mix golden doodle pup he is on a especial hypoallergenic kibble from the vet last 2 weeks he seems to be not interested in eating it 7nless I feed it off my hand then he eats in the bowl he has no interest i do not want to change it but i dont know what could be is it boredom or fuzzy from me getting him use to eating from my hand hard to tell…. any advice would help
It could be fussy behaviour if he’s gotten used to you hand feeding him – you could try leaving his food down for 15-20 minutes, take it away if he doesn’t eat it, and feed nothing until his next mealtime. You could also try some of our tips for feeding fussy dogs here!
Thanks for the article.
I am a little confused by the verdict, to be honest. It starts by saying the majority of dogs don’t get bored of their food. One of the steps to resolve dogs leaving their kibble is to add something new – veggies, new textures and flavours. Wouldn’t this be solving the problem that the pup is bored with their food?
Either way, I will take the advice. Thanks again!
I have one gsd 10 months old,one cocker 3 year’s one Dashound 4 years old .I give them 2 meals.morning bananas and night chicken liver with rice and curd…but now they are not eating from past one week..can u please suggest me what to do.
My dog had tails with no problem but I was given a huge bag of another food but after developing an anal sac problem the vet recommended a high fibre food with a “regal” name? just stopped eating it a couple of weeks ago so we’ve come back to tails as there was never an issue-wish me & Rosie good luck
My twelve year old cocker is the fussiest dog I have ever come across. I try a new food and within two days he is bored of it. I tried Tails recently and we are only on day 3 and he already turning his nose up at it. Strange as he had a really enthusiastic attitude to it to start with, more than usual and I thought we had cracked it at last. Will persevere but it is so demoralising for another food to be rejected as I thought we had at last found something different.
Hi Margaret, we’re sorry to hear that your dog isn’t too fussed about his food so far, we know it can be a struggle dealing with fussy pups! Our Nutrition team also has some tips that may help get his tail wagging again, you can watch these here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb-Zrndfb2o 💙