How to manage a fussy eater

Despite their large stature, greyhounds are sensitive and emotional animals. This means they can become a picky eater any time there is a change in their life or if they are feeling any level of stress or anxiety.

It’s natural to become worried if your greyhound refuses to eat their usual food, particularly because they will always appear slender or ‘skinnier’ than other dogs. When this happens, it can be tempting to make mealtimes more exciting by introducing different foods or adding extra tasty food to their meal to coax them into eating.

There’s nothing wrong with trying jazzing up meal time or giving your pooch more variety, but be aware that if you change your dog's food every time they don’t eat,  you will be turning your furry friend into a picky eater.

Here are some things you can try before changing their meal plan:

Greyhounds detest change, and will usually have an emotional reaction to it. They are creatures of habit and so should be fed at the same time each day, ideally with the same type of food.

Their eating habits may change as they get older, so try feeding them less food at more frequent intervals (which will also help avoid any discomfort caused by bloat).

It’s also important to ensure you are feeding them at least 1 hour before exercise as eating too close to physical activity is the leading cause of stomach upset and bloat.

Sometimes they are bothered by something that you may not be aware of. If they aren’t interested in their usual food just leave them be. If there are no medical issues, they won’t be starving themselves on purpose so try again the following day.

If dogs are suffering from physical discomfort it may change their eating behaviours (not because they don’t want to, but because they’re in pain). For example, if you have an older dog with arthritis it won’t be able to stand for long periods of time, so consider allowing them to eat from its bed. If your pooch has a history of parasites, it would be wise to visit your vet to explore remedies.

If you want to explore some minor changes to their diet, consider adding sardines, rice or steamed veggies to their meal to peak their interest.