Your dog is obedient and makes no fuss about meals all day, save the morning time. That’s when you face the mammoth task of getting him to eat. If it is once in a while, then you needn’t worry. However, if it has been a recurring issue, it will surely make you panic.
There may be umpteen reasons why your dog is fussy in the morning and reluctant to eat. Perhaps your dog doesn’t feel like it. Maybe he’s interested in something other than the food given to him. It is even likely that he doesn’t feel good during that time of the day. Read on to learn why your dog won’t eat in the morning and what you could do to solve the issue.
Why Does Your Dog Not Eat In the Morning: 6 Possible Reasons
When your dog doesn’t eat each morning, you can’t pass it off as one of his tantrums. There may be something more serious. You need to identify the problem at the earliest for better resolution.
1. Doesn’t Feel Well
Suppose your dog was a regular feeder. But, it’s only of late that he’s showing disinterest in having his food, mainly in the morning. In such cases, you must first rule out whether he is facing any physical discomfort or not. Chances are that he may be having an upset stomach. He could be pacing a lot, vomiting, or passing stools. People often say that a dog with an upset stomach eats grass. However, experts still need to validate the truth of this statement.
Another condition that the dog may suffer from is Bilious vomiting syndrome or BVS. The main reason for BVS is that your dog hasn’t eaten anything over the night, and his stomach is empty. Your dog could vomit bile (yellow fluid) early morning. If his symptoms are visible to you, then you would be more sure that the reason behind refusing food in the morning isn’t due to any behavior-related problems. However, if your dog doesn’t show symptoms but seems restless and sluggish in the morning, then also it is better to consult a vet.
2. Your Dog is Allowed to Free Feed
Free feeding is filling your dog’s bowl with his kibble and leaving it out for certain hours at a stretch, if not for the entire day. In this case, your dog can eat any time of the day he feels like. He doesn’t have to follow the regular feeding schedule. Free feeding has more banes than boons. Free-fed dogs tend to become overweight. Moreover, since your dog is left to feed on his own, he may not feel motivated enough to eat in the morning. It’s because he can eat from his bowl whenever he likes it.
3. He is Over-excited or Anxious
When your dog is over-excited about something then there are chances that his appetite may go for a toss. It seems more human-like. Haven’t there been times when the thought of an upcoming vacation stole away your hunger and sleep? Ditto for your dog. You may have started taking him to the dog park each morning.
It excites him, and the first thing he wants to do on waking up is to visit the park. The thought of eating doesn’t come to his mind then. He may even be anxious. He’s just come to your home from an adoption center. It’s taking him time to get used to things. So, perhaps each morning he wakes up it seems a new challenge for him. Eventually, throughout the day, he eases a little and starts eating.
It may continue for a while till he feels comfortable. Another situation may be that you feed him each morning before setting out for work. So he associates his breakfast schedule with you leaving for work. It stresses him out and causes him to lose focus on eating.
4. Your Dog Doesn’t Like the Meal You Give Him
If your dog is a picky eater and doesn’t like the kibble you give him in his bowl each morning, chances are that he would skip his breakfast altogether. He would even be expecting better things as an alternative to his kibble. His lunch of rice and chicken may be more enticing. So he prefers waiting for noon rather than having the same kibble every morning. If your dog still reacts the same way even after giving a different food than usual, it may have something to do with his health.
5. He Wants to Get Your Attention
If feeding time means bonding with you, your dog would like to prolong it. Whenever your beloved dog refuses morning meals, you should coax the dog to eat before leaving for work. If your pet dog enjoys your attention, that may be why your dog fusses about the morning meal. However, if your beloved pet keeps doing this daily, ensure the issue is behavioral and not medical.
6. He Already Ate Leftovers From Your Plate
It isn’t one of the most concrete reasons, but a possibility. Your dog may have eaten some leftovers from your plate the night before. The following morning he is feeling heavy, and unwilling to eat. If this is the case, he might show other symptoms like lethargy, loose stool, and vomiting. It can happen if he eats things that he shouldn’t have eaten like fried sausage or jalapeno chips. If you notice anything unusual, contact a vet immediately.
How to Make Your Dog Eat in the Morning
1. Get Him Treated at the Earliest in Case of Health Conditions
The first thing you should do before trying any remedy at home is to understand if there is anything wrong with your dog’s health or not. It’s okay if your dog doesn’t eat for one or two mornings in two weeks. However, if he shows disinterest in his breakfast every other day, it is better to get him checked by a vet to ensure that all is well.
If he is vomiting bile or having other physical symptoms that don’t seem normal, medical intervention is needed as soon as possible. Pet owners should feed their dogs frequently but in small amounts to treat bilious vomiting. Also, giving them something to eat right before bed would help reduce the time they remain on empty stomachs.
2. Devise a Structured Feeding Method
A structured feeding method is always a better option than free feeding. Here, you have scheduled a time for your dog’s meal. Fill your dog’s bowl with kibble and put it out for some time. If it eats within that time, it is okay. If not, pick up the bowl and let your dog wait for the next meal. In this way, your pet would feel the urge to eat. He would understand that not eating food when given would mean waiting until the next meal time arrives. The feeding schedule could be something like this:
- 8 am: Give your dog his kibble in a bowl
- 9 am: Take the kibble away
- Throughout the day: If he has eaten he would feel full, so some treats in moderate amounts would be alright.
- 5 pm: Exercise your dog
- 6 pm: Serve dinner
- 6:30 pm: Take away the bowl
3. Feed Your Dog in a Calm Environment
If the din and bustle at your home in the morning stress your pooch and prevent him from eating his food, then choose a calmer place. You could select a spot in the kitchen or an area in your laundry room, that seem less noisy than the remaining part of your home. Also, make sure you don’t pet him while feeding. It could distract your dog’s attention. Keep his toys away from his reach at that time. Else, he would think it’s playtime and focus more on playing than eating.
4. See That Your Dog Doesn’t Indulge in Extra Feeding
If your dog is physically fine yet doesn’t seem interested in eating in the morning, then the problem may be something else. Maybe your canine friend is feeding on the leftovers from your plate or the bits of food your toddlers may drop on the ground. You need to keep a watch on this and stop the extra feedings so that he eats his breakfast well.
5. Make Sure That the Food Hasn’t Gone Bad
Another possibility could be that the food has gone bad. Your dog doesn’t want to start the day by eating something unpleasant. However, his hunger may compel him to eat the food in the latter half of the day. So, if this is the case, check the kibble’s expiration date. Also, do a quick research online to see if there have been any recalls or changes in ingredients in the dog food that you were giving your pet to date. Chances are that your pet is disinterested in his kibble because the food is contaminated.
6. Make Meal Time Interesting
If your dog is fit and fine, yet shows reluctance to eat in the morning, then it may be that he isn’t interested in his regular kibble. You may change his kibble or add bone broth. You may even give him wet food for a few days for a change. However, ensure the transition is slow and gradual, so your dog doesn’t face any stomach upset. Moreover, consult a vet before making any changes to your dog’s food.
7. Take Your Dog on a Walk
Your dog may not have an appetite after he wakes. So, to build it, you must take him on a run or a brisk walk in the morning. Going out every morning is not possible. In that case, a game of fetch ball would also help boost your dog’s energy, making him feel hungry.
FAQ’s
Why is free feeding not good for dogs?
Free feeding could make him obese and overweight. Moreover, the ready availability of food may make him less excited about mealtimes.
Q. Is it bad if your dog doesn’t eat in the morning?
If he is in good health and skips his morning meal, then there is not much to worry about. Yet, breakfast is as important as the remaining meals of the day. So, eating in the morning would help him maintain a proper feeding schedule.
Conclusion
John Gunther said, ‘All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.’ There’s no denying the fact. A good morning walk and a wholesome breakfast are all that your dog needs to remain happy and healthy all day long. So, do make sure you manage to feed your pooch each morning. If you find anything wrong or unusual about your dog, you should bring it to the vet’s notice.
Heather Abraham is a professional blogger who owns two dogs, a cat, a parrot, and a leopard gecko. She has a connection with animals since she was a child. She shares her love for all pet breeds and provides information on pet food, toys, medications, beds, and everything else.
She is committed to learning about the internal workings of animals. Her work permits her to work closely with knowledgeable vets and obtain practical expertise in animal care. When she is not working, her love of animals continues in her writing. Her goal is to educate and uplift readers who also have a passion for animals through her writing.