MANILA, Philippines - Does your pet’s picky appetite bother you? Most pets will eat anything without hesitation, so it can be concerning when your dog or cat doesn’t show much excitement at meal time.
As pet owners, you want to provide the best for your furry ones, including food that they eat. When it comes to feeding your pet, the food should be scientifically formulated to support his good health and well-being. Although cooking for them might be good for the budget of the owner, homemade pet food do not really provide the key nutrients that their overall body needs.
But the problem may not only be because of the food that you feed them but also their lifestyle, so a consultation from the most trusted vet is advised. Here are other contributing factors that make your pet a finicky eater, as mentioned by The Well Fed, Well Nurtured campaign of the Pet Food Institute.
An unhealthy body
Your pet’s behavior when it comes to meal time is a call for concern. Make sure that your pet is in good health by letting a veterinarian examine him.
Observe if there is a sudden lost or gain of weight. In addition, check if he appears to be feeling pain or discomfort when eating their food. Occurrences of diarrhea or vomiting are indications that your furry friend should be immediately checked by the vet.
Unsanitary food and surroundings
Just like people, pets want a clean, safe, calm regular place to eat. Make sure to wash the eating pan is washed regularly to keep the virus at bay. Moreover, make sure that surrounding area is clean when you are about to feed him. Pets can be disrupted from eating if there is a lot of action or noise around them.
Expired food
As much as your pet wants to eat, the pet food you give them may be spoiled or out of date. Check the label if it is still within the recommended consuming dates. Your pet must eat healthy and balanced meals consistently.
Taste fatigue
Maybe your pet is tired of eating the same thing every day. Changing the pet food flavor also adds variety to their meal and can stimulate the pet’s appetite, but it is best done gradually. For instance,you can mix small proportions of dry and wet food to boost flavor.
Bad habits and irregular feeding time
Another possible reason why the pet leaves the food untouched is irregular feeding routines. Your pet may acquire bad eating habits whenever you give him extra treats that are tastier and more interesting than his food at meal time. Treats can serve many purposes, such as to strengthen the owner-pet bond, but it should be given in moderation. If overfed with treats, your pet will be encouraged to be finicky with his meals over time. - Alixandra Caole Vila