How to get my dog to eat dry food only? Worried they'll starve.

Picky dogs can be so frustrating! I personally am not a fan of grain free diets. The truth is, they are a marketing fad. The reality is that only 5% of dog allergies are caused by food, and of that 5%, the majority is protein related. Grain allergies are extremely rare, and I never recommend feeding a grain free food unless the dog has a proven food allergy to grains. Grains are beneficial to dogs, as it helps fill them up and keeps them satisfied for longer. I recommend switching them to a brand such as Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, or Iams. Whether or not you make the switch of foods, it's time to get tough with them if you want them to eat only dry dog food. They won't starve themselves, they will eat it eventually. You just have to be strong and not give in. Start by putting their food down in the morning for 15-20 minutes, taking it away after this time period even if they haven't eaten. Then no more food until dinner time. This is extremely important, they have to learn they need to eat the dog food or they don't get anything else. At dinner time, again put their food down for 15-20 minutes, taking it away after that time even if they haven't eaten. No more food until their dog food the next morning. Do not give in to them, no meat, cheese, or raw egg on their food. They will get hungry enough to eat the dog food only as long as you stay strong. Good luck, I hope this helps!

She won't starve if she doesn't eat for a few days. That is the only way to train her get back on dog food. You can always add chicken broth or warm water to the kibble . Let it sit about 5 minutes until the kibble soaks up the liquid and try that. Often times that will enhance the flavor/smell of the food. Feeding human food only to dogs is not a good idea. Our food is not balanced for dogs and eventually she will end up with nutritional deficiencies. It is best to try and get to eat dog food only. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

There could be a reason that the dry food is uncomfortable for them (broken teeth, gum disease, etc), however since it's both dogs, I expect it's more that they have learned to hold out for the ham addition. The good news is that they are large adult dogs, so they can go a day or 3 without eating without issues if they are otherwise healthy. If they are having ANY other issues (vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain or loss, limping, skin disease, lethargy, or anxiety etc check with your vet first before working on the dry food issues). If they truly are healthy, just stop giving them ham. Put the food down for 15 minutes and then pick it up. Offer the food 2 or 3 times a day. Throw away any uneaten food at the end of the day and start over the next day. Stay in the room during meal times, but don't make a fuss about the food. If they STILL aren't eating the food by the end of day 3, consult with your regular veterinarian. Make sure water is always available. It's ok to give them their regular treats at other times of the day (but no Ham and generally no super amazing treats), but don't try to fill them up with treats. The idea is to let them get hungry enough to eat the food.

Mix a teaspoon or two of canned food in with the kibble. Leave it down for 20-30 minutes before picking it up whether they have eaten or not. Repeat this at the next mealtime. Do not offer any food between meals. Be consistent, dogs thrive on routine. Be firm, they will not starve.

This can be so frustrating! I should know because I have a labradoodle who does the same thing. After much medical testing and experimenting, I found nothing wrong with my dog and just keep dry food out for him. He eats when he wants and sometimes he does go a day or two without eating much. That’s exactly what I’d try for your pups. Some dogs are just finicky eaters. Honestly, your huskies look to be an appropriate weight so if you are concerned, ask your vet if they need to gain weight. You’d be surprised how many pet parents parents call ideal “skinny”. Of course if this minimal appetite is ever accompanied by vomiting, true weight loss, profuse diarrhea, or any other worrisome signs, please see your vet right away.

Hi there. Yes, this is fine - since they are overweight, we know that they have been getting more calories than they need for quite some time. If they're not eating all of their food at one time, this means they aren't hungry for the rest, likely because it's more than they need. As long as food is available and you are offering an appropriate amount for their ideal body weight, they won't starve themselves.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A healthy dog will not choice starvation. It sounds like he is trying to train you to give him what he wants. I would hold your ground. Put the meal down, give him an allotted time to eat it and pick it up until the next meal time. It may take 3 days of holding out for him to realize that this is all it will be. No treats until he is eating his food consistently. He could also be out of sorts from you being away and him staying with your family. If he starts acting sick (vomit, diarrhea, etc) or it has been longer than 3 days have your Vet examine him. Also have a talk with your family about feeding expectations and why you don't want things added to his food. Good luck!