My dog gets really excited when it’s time for his meal. I have to say, it’s a little annoying because he jumps up and down and whines until I give him his food.
It seems that he never gets tired of the same foods that I have been giving him for years.
He still likes the same old kibbles that I have been feeding him since he was adopted from the shelter.
This makes me wonder if he ever gets tired of the same food?
Do Dogs Get Bored of the Same Food?
Dogs are certainly NOT finicky eaters as their taste buds are not that sensitive as compared to humans.
In fact, dogs only have 1700 taste buds whereas humans have 9000 taste buds.
This makes them less picky about food, and they will eat just anything that they can get into their mouth.
As dogs will SWALLOW food rather than slowly chewing it to enjoy the taste, they don’t really “care” about the flavor of their food.
Their natural instinct teaches them to eat their food as fast as possible to avoid being stolen by other animals. So they are in “no mood” to chew their food unless it is too big or hard to swallow.
Moreover, dogs’ sense of smell is more sensitive than ours, approximately 10,000 times better, so their “enjoyment” comes from the scent of the food, and not the taste of it when they are eating their food.
Having said that, it is important for you to make sure that you are feeding your dog with high-quality dog food that contains all the essential nutrients that his body needs, if you want your beloved dog to live a long and healthy life.
His food ought to have a good balance of protein and carbohydrates, and always remember to fully cook any raw meat before serving it to your dog to get rid of the bacteria that may be harmful to his stomach.
Just like humans, who can be sensitive to certain foods and ingredients, dogs are likewise too.
So do not abruptly make any sudden changes to your dog’s diet as that could cause him to suffer from food allergies.
Go slowly with the changes if you plan to alter his diet. As you are feeding him the new food, observe his reaction.
This is important since food allergic reactions can cause your dog to suffer from great discomfort, such as vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes.
If you suspect that a food may be causing your dog to have an allergic reaction, immediately remove it from your dog’s diet and see your vet.
Why Is My Dog Not Eating His Food Anymore?
As mentioned, dogs do not get tired of eating the same foods all day long. But if your dog suddenly loses his appetite and stops eating his food for a few days, this should not be taken lightly.
There could be an underlying medical problem, such as dental discomfort, pancreatitis, bacteria infection, intestinal obstruction, cancer, or side effects of medication.
It could also be due to psychological factors related to stress and separation anxiety caused by a change in his living environment, such as moving into a new home, having a new family member in the house, or you are away on a business trip.
Veterinary care should be sought if your dog has been losing his appetite for a few days in order to rule out any medical issues.
In the case of a behavioral problem set off by a change in his environment that causes him to lose his appetite, you can use music therapy to help calm him down.
Playing music while he eats his food will help calm his mind and relax him. So don’t under-estimate the power of music to help your dog unwind.
You can also have him wear a thundershirt, which is great for soothing him.
This shirt works by wrapping your dog in a coat of fabric, which stimulates his pressure points and helps to reduce his anxiety.
It’s not a miracle cure, but it can be of great help to your dog while you work on helping him to adapt to the change in his environment which causes his stress and anxiety.
Should Dogs Only Eat Dog Food?
It is a common belief that dogs should only eat dog food. This is due to the fact that the dog food is specifically made for their dietary needs.
However, it has been proven that dogs can live healthily off a raw diet as well.
Raw diets are diets that are made up of FRESH uncooked meat, vegetables, fruits, raw eggs and ground bones which are completely unprocessed.
Comparatively, to commercial pet foods, raw diets have been found to provide dogs with greater energy and healthier skin and fur.
Raw diets have many advantages over commercial pet foods because they contain all the enzymes, nutrients, and vitamins that are left in their purest form, unlike most commercial pet foods. Furthermore, raw diets have no additives or preservatives.
In fact, dogs are genetically carnivores and naturally love the taste of raw meat. This makes a raw diet a more natural meal for your dog.
However, there are some disadvantages too.
Some dogs may experience diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating raw food as there is always a risk of salmonella or bacterial infections.
The risk of salmonella infection is even greater if your dog has a compromised immune system.
So, depending on your dog’s age, health and lifestyle, you may want to consider a different diet option.
Take into special consideration if your dog is suffering from health related problems such as kidney failure, diabetes, cancer, hypoglycemia, GI disorders and other medical conditions.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that dogs are not picky about their food and if they stop eating it, there are reasons for that!
Watch your dog’s eating habits and don’t ignore any obvious behavior changes that don’t match up with his normal personality.