Is your puppy leaving food in their bowl? Do they sometimes seem more interested in everything around them than their dinner?
Puppies can appear fussy for all sorts of reasons. They have small stomachs, can be easily distracted and their nutritional needs change quickly as they grow. However, a reduced appetite in a puppy should always be taken seriously.
Before assuming your puppy is fussy
If your puppy has suddenly stopped eating or is eating significantly less than usual, don't assume they are simply being fussy.
Because puppies are young and still developing, going without adequate food can be more concerning than it is for a healthy adult dog. We do not recommend allowing a puppy to go without food in an attempt to correct fussy eating.
If your puppy refuses food, has a noticeable or sudden change in appetite, or you are concerned about how much they are eating, contact your vet for advice. This is particularly important if they also have symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, pain, weakness or any other signs of being unwell.
Very young or small puppies may require particularly prompt veterinary advice if they stop eating.
Check you're feeding the right amount
Puppies have different feeding requirements from adult dogs, and the amount they need changes as they grow.
If your puppy regularly leaves some food behind but is otherwise bright, healthy and eating normally, check that you are offering the correct portion for their age, current weight and expected adult weight.
Overfeeding can sometimes look like fussiness when your puppy is simply being offered more food than they need.
Wolfworthy is very nutrient dense, so portions may also look smaller than you are used to with some other foods.
Remember that puppies are easily distracted
The world is an exciting place when you're a puppy!
Children playing, visitors arriving, another dog walking past or simply something interesting happening nearby can be enough to distract a puppy from their meal.
Try feeding your puppy somewhere relatively calm and give them the opportunity to concentrate on eating.
If they regularly leave food behind, consider their overall feeding amount, treats and training food rather than immediately assuming they dislike their food.
Remember to count training food and treats
Training is a big part of puppyhood, which means it's easy to give more food than you realise throughout the day.
If you're using food as a training reward, those calories still form part of your puppy's daily intake and may affect how hungry they are at their regular mealtimes.
One simple option is to weigh out your puppy's daily Wolfworthy allocation and use some of this food during training sessions.
This can make it easier to keep track of how much your puppy is eating across the whole day.
Establish a consistent puppy feeding routine
A regular feeding routine can help your puppy learn what to expect at mealtimes.
Feed the appropriate amount at suitable intervals for your puppy's age rather than leaving food available all day for them to graze on.
Most importantly, don't deliberately withhold food or allow a puppy to go hungry in an attempt to overcome fussiness. If your puppy isn't eating enough or repeatedly refuses their meals, speak to your vet for advice.
Starting your puppy on Wolfworthy
Wolfworthy is an all life stage food, which means it is suitable for puppies through to senior dogs. What changes throughout their life is the amount they need.
For puppy feeding guidance, we'll need their age, current weight and expected adult weight to help determine an appropriate feeding amount.
Starting with a consistent feeding routine and an appropriate portion can help establish good habits from the beginning.
To read the Complete Puppy Guide to Feeding Wolfworthy click here.
For more general advice about choosing food for a fussy dog, you can also read our How to Choose Food for a Fussy Dog Without Wasting Another Bag guide. here.
If you have any other questions our Help page is packed full of information on our food
