I’m going to be really honest here because if you’ve ever had a fussy dog, I want you to know you’re not alone.
About three years into Phoenix Bark, our own little girl Barbara suddenly stopped eating our food. Yep… the food we lovingly created. The one we built a business around. It felt like a total PR and marketing disaster!
My husband and co-founder Duncan quietly suggested (ok, told me repeatedly) that maybe I was the problem*. Of course, I knew better. I went into full research mode, reading every canine behaviourist article I could find… until it turned out, he was right.
The truth is, I had been sharing food from my plate a little too often. And Barbara decided that only my food was good enough. Her own food had lost its value, in her eyes.
Once I understood what was really going on, we made a few simple but powerful changes. And guess what? Soon after, Barbara was back to jumping for her food and now devours every single bowl!
So, if you’re struggling with a “fussy” dog, here are the tips I learned (and lived through!)
Fussy feeding tips
1. Follow the same routine every day with meal times.
2. Allow them to see you prepare their food.
3. Avoid any eye contact or communication at meal times.
4. If they walk away from food, pick it up and don’t feed again until the next meal time.
5. It’s hard I know but try to avoid treats until after meal times if they avoid food.
6. Gently warm the food, as this will release aromas and whet their appetite.
7. Avoid plastic bowls as this can alter the smell of their food.
8. Pour bone broth or homemade stock (no onions) over food.
9. Do not share food from the dinner table or your plate.
We want the best for our dogs, of course we do. But sometimes what feels like love (a little bite from our plate, a snack from the table) ends up causing more stress and confusion for them in the long run.
The good news? Dogs are incredibly adaptable. With a little consistency, they come right back to loving their own food, especially when it’s made with high quality ingredients and care.
If you’re facing the fussy-food struggle, there is a way through. We’re always here if you need a hand or a bit of encouragement.
You can get in touch if you would like to chat about anything related to your dog’s nutrition, contact kathy@phoenixbark.com 🙂
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*editorial note: this is paraphrased - I know better than to call my wife a 'problem' 🙈