When your puppy is not eating dry food then the best way to feed them is to mix a small amount of wet food into its regular dry food. This will make the food more appealing. Dry food can moisten by using three parts kibble and one-part warm water. Keep reading to know why your puppy is not eating dry food and learn what can be done about it.
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Why Is My Puppy Not Eating Dry Food?
There are many factors due to which your puppy is not eating dry food. Some of the common ones are discussed below:
Health Problems
If your puppy suddenly stops eating its regular dry food, then there is a high chance that he is having some health issues or is not healthy. Either your puppy is sick or has intestinal woes. In such a situation simply make an appointment with your pup’s vet.
Age Factor
Mostly, puppies are not entirely weaned before they are six to eight weeks old. Your pup may not be interested in dry food in the early days of his life, but once he ages around three to four weeks old, he will start to take small bites of solid foods.
Teething
Puppies usually eat less when they are teething, which is between three and six months old. But at the same time, they love to chew more in teething. In this case, tender gums and loose teeth can make the dry food unpleasant, which causes your teething pup to stop eating dry food.
Disturbed Schedule
If you are not feeding your pup on its regular schedule can disturb its digestive system. Under six months of age, puppies should get three small meals daily. Then after some time switched it to twice a day (once in the morning and the other in the evening). When your pup is about a year old, you should think and decide whether to feed him once or twice daily.
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Tasteless
Some dogs just simply don’t like the taste as well as the texture of dry food. So, if your pup considers dry food tasteless or doesn’t like its smell then it’s obvious, he will stop eating its regular food. Mixing slightly wet can make it tastier for your pup.
What Can I Add to My Puppy’s Dry Food?
Generally, adding food to regular dry food can only increase the calories of your puppy. But replacing less than 25% of the calories from a commercial diet with fresh foods and treats can be harmless. The following are some useful add-ons that should be added to your pup’s dry food for his health.
Eggs
Eggs (raw or cooked) are quite healthy and easy additions to your pup’s dry diet. Dogs with 40 pounds or more can even handle a whole egg, so it is recommended to add half an egg to the pup’s or smaller dog’s dry diet.
Muscle and Organ Meat
Adding any kind of meat like chicken, turkey, or lean beef (cut in chunks), to your dog’s diet will help you to improve his health. On the other hand, liver and other organ meats are beneficial nutrients for dogs. And adding insignificant amounts of them to your pup’s diet can be quite helpful for them. It’s important to add a small amount of meat as its greater meat can cause digestive issues for your pup.
Fish
Canned sardines, jack mackerel, and pink salmon are marvelous additions to your pup’s diet because these fishes have fatty acids and trace minerals. One small sardine supplies 100 to 150 milligrams (about the weight of five grains of rice) of omega-3 fatty acids. Do not feed raw salmon because it is deadly for dogs because it has a parasite in it.
Yogurt
Homemade dairy products manufactured with added probiotics which are free of sugar can help with digestive issues. Whole-milk yogurt (or kefir) is quite useful for your pup unless your dog’s vet suggests a low-fat diet.
Cheese
Cottage and ricotta cheese are quite famous among many dogs as they enjoy eating them. Adding this to your dog’s dry diet can make him enjoy his food. These cheeses are quite easily digestible because they are protein-rich.
Cooked Vegetables
As we know, dogs do not chew their food to break it down so always add pureed vegetables to your dog’s diet. While cooked vegetables can be easily digestible without having to be pureed. Carrots, celery, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, and asparagus are some recommended vegetables.
Fruits
Dogs enjoy fruits like bananas, apples, melons, pears, and blueberries. These fruits do not harm your dog. On the contrary, they are good for their health. So, adding them will not only give your dog good health but also make your pup’s eating enjoyable. Make sure to supply less fruit as they have a prominent level of sugar which is not good for your pup.
Bones
Recreational bones are considered an ideal dessert for dogs. It can clean their teeth and help to prevent gum disease. The best way of feeding bones to your pup is to feed only raw and fresh bones, after removing the connected tissues. Any kind of cooked or dry bones can break your pup’s teeth or give a sharp cut in its mouth.
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How Do I Transition My Dog from Wet to Dry Food?
You can transition by putting 75 percent wet food and 25 percent of the new dry food into your dog’s dish at feeding time. For example, if you give 1 cup of wet food to your pup (per meal), then instead of that give 3/4 cup of wet and 1/4 cup of dry food to your pup per meal. Continue this process for at least three days.
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