My husky is a picky eater, not gaining weight. Vet says she's fine!

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.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Tundra evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a good night! Hoping for a speedy recovery! 


Poor Luna! Is she underweight? If not, I wouldn't be overly stressed about how much she is eating. Also some dogs are simply scared of eating from dog bowls. I would just feed her from the floor or in a paper plate. If she is underweight, I would talk to your vet about doing a GI panel. It is a blood test that checks for Vitamin B12, folate, and two different pancreatic enzymes. Sometimes this will guide the vet to what she may be deficient in and once you fix that, their appetite will increase. You could also talk to them about just putting her on an appetite stimulant if you want to try a more conservative method first. Finally, if all of this is normal, I would consider finding a holistic veterinarian who specializes in acupuncture and Chinese herbs. There are some great things with alternative medicine to help with appetite. I hope this helps!

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!

Offer a bland diet in small, frequent amounts. This can be boiled boneless/skinless chicken breast, ground turkey, ground beef (cooked/drained) or cottage cheese mixed with plain white rice. You can serve it warm or mix in a teaspoon of baby food to stimulate Alaska's appetite. Once she is eating, slowly transition to her regular diet. If her appetite does not return or if she develops other symptoms (lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting) then have her examined by your veterinarian.

Feed just one diet. Switching diets frequently will reinforce the finicky behavior and may lead to gastrointestinal upset. Dogs thrive on routine, so feed Magnus at regular mealtimes not when asked. Prepare the dog food and leave it down for 20-30 minutes then pick it up whether it has been eaten or not. Repeat this at the next mealtime. Do not feed or give treats between meals. If you are training, use a reward that takes no more than a second or two to eat. Be firm. Magnus will not starve. She will eat the food that is offered when she gets hungry. Sweets should not be given regularly and tea contains caffeine which can be toxic to dogs. Regarding her calming down, consider formal obedience training to teach manners. Your vet may be able to recommend or refer you to a certified trainer. Regular exercise and a variety of toys and tasks will keep her "busy" and work off excess energy.

Honey has decided what her diet will be, but that's not her job . . . it's yours. Stop feeding her all different foods. The changes probably upset her stomach, making her feel even less like eating.. Put regular dog food in a bowl on the floor without fuss and leave it for 15 minutes. After that time, pick it up whether she has eaten or not. Do not give her anything--no treats, snacks or human food--until her next scheduled mealtime. Then repeat the process. It may take several times for her to realize that there will be no otrher food, and that she must eat what you have given her. Remember that you are not starving her–she is CHOOSING not to eat when she does have access to food. This is a battle of wills. When she is hungry enough, she’ll give in and eat, and your problem will be solved. Do not weaken or "feel sorry" for her. It will only make it harder to correct. She must have a nutritionally complete diet, and what you are feeding her now is not sufficient. Good luck!