Your new puppy is finally at home with you! As you allow them to become acquainted with their surroundings, you pick out the best quality puppy food you can give them. But no matter what you do, your little furry friend just doesn’t seem interested in eating. 

A lack of interest in meals is a concerning issue, especially since puppies cannot support their growing bodies without sufficient caloric intake. 

There are many reasons why your puppy may not be eating, and it’s important to find the cause as early as you can. Your puppy may stressed from being in a new home with unfamiliar people. It may also have an underlying medical condition like a respiratory infection, digestive issues or organ dysfunction. And sometimes, a puppy is a picky eater and just doesn’t like the food you’ve prepared for them (it happens!). 

If your puppy isn’t suffering from a health condition, here are some tips to coax your pooch into eating:

1. Add canned food or chicken broth. If you’re feeding your puppy dry food, you can spike up their appetite by adding just a little bit of canned dog food or unsalted chicken broth. Make sure that the chicken broth you use does not contain onions, onion powder, chives or garlic as these ingredients can make your puppy very sick.
2. Put puppy food into an interactive toy. To make mealtimes more entertaining and fun, we recommend placing puppy food into an interactive feeder toy. There are various types of interactive toys to use, like Kong toys and IQ balls. You can check at any of our Petland locations to see what toys and feeders we offer. 
3. Use a flavored spray. Try using a flavored food spray on top of the puppy food. Don’t spray a huge amount as this can further encourage your puppy’s pickiness. Just spray enough to add that “yummy” factor in their food. Many flavored sprays come in a variety of flavors such as peanut butter, cheese, bacon, and chicken. 
4. Buy a new food bowl. This can change up your puppy’s routine and perk up their interest in eating. You can try moving the bowl to a new location as well or give your puppy some control by purchasing a food dispenser. 
5. Take your puppy for a walk. If your furry friend is up for it, take them for a quick walk around the neighborhood or engage in exercise before their mealtime. This can distract them enough to stimulate their appetite. Make sure your puppy isn’t lethargic or ill as this can be a sign of a health problem.

Do not hesitate to take your puppy to the vet if none of these tips work. You should also immediately consult your vet if you notice your fur-baby has diarrhea or is vomiting, is lethargic, or the whites of their gums and eyes are yellow. We hope these tips have been helpful in encouraging your pooch to eat.

If you aren’t sure what food to feed your furry companion, check out our blog, Choosing the Right Food For Your Puppy for our suggestions!