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My puppy is picky: won't eat dog food, only human food. Help!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | 6 months and 24 days old

My gsd is not eating any kind of food..I used to give him home food like chapatis,oats and rice etc...he doesn't eat that food but if we give him eggs or sometimes meat he eats it...plzz help..before he eat all kind of food...but now he is not interested in food..plzz help

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 22nd, 2018

Chapatis, oats, and rice are not a balanced or healthy diet for a dog. Dogs need protein and calcium as well as many other vitamins and nutrients, and that diet you provided doesn't give him that. I see that Max is six months old, so he needs a puppy formulated food. Puppies need higher amounts of calories, protein, and calcium than adult dogs, and a puppy formulated food will provide that for him. I would not give him human food any longer, and put him on a puppy dog food until he is 12 months. Then he should be on an adult dog food. Brands I recommend include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, and Iams.

I would also have a health check for him with the vet. He may be feeling unwell from have a nutrient deficient diet, or he could also have a medical illness causing the loss of appetite. Please keep in mind that even if it is a medical illness causing him to lose his appetite, the current diet you are feeding him is very poor and he needs to be on a puppy food. Good luck, I hope this helps!
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 26th, 2018

    Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Cute puppy.
    There can be many reasons why your puppy Max is more mellow and refusing his food this afternoon, as these are not very specific symptoms for one thing or another. However, I would first suspect that he may just be getting odler and doesn't have as many calorie requirements as he did when he was younger. Between the ages of 6-8 months most puppies go from 3 times a day meals to twice a day meals and decrease their food amount by about 1/4-1/3rd.
    However, if Max develops other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, refusing to eat for more than 12 hrs, has labored breathing or pale gums, then those are concerning symptoms of illness and he should be seen by your vet right away for testing to determine the underlying cause. Puppies are suscpetible to getting illnesses such as parvovirus (if not fully vaccinated), bacterial infections, underlying congential heart problems or intestinal parasites.
    However, Max likely is just fine or has a mild stomach upset or is just going through the normal processes for a growing puppy. I hope everything works out well for your pet Max here moving forward. Best wishes and take care.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 10th, 2017

    Puppies will naturally eat less food because hey require fewer calories between 6-8 months of age. This could be a normal progression for Max. He should only be eating twice daily now as well. Try not to switch foods drastically or this can cause stomach upset. It should take at least a week to switch foods. Also when you mix things into the food this is going to subsequently make him a picky eater, so it’s best to just try another brand of dog food if he seems to be getting bored with one.
    Here are some high quality dog foods that you can consider for Max: Royal Canin, Hill’s Science diet, Evo, Eukanuba or California natural by Natura.
    If he does develop signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and lethargy, then a vet visit is the next best step towards Max’s care. Hopefully he is just maturing into his adolescent stage and will be just fine. Take care.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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