Pets can sometimes be finicky when it comes to mealtime; cats are especially known to be picky about their food. Sometimes your pet may have a raring appetite and may beg to be fed?other times, they may simply glance at their dinner and choose to not eat. What is the cause of this inconsistent appetite? Chances are, if you have a pet with problems eating, the cause may not actually be your pet, but you.



If your pet consistently refuses to eat or eats very little, it may be a sign of illness. If your pet used to eat regularly and consistently, and now you have noticed a pattern of refusal to eat, this is cause enough to take your pet to the vet. If you have noticed other symptoms, take your pet to your local veterinary clinic to assess your pet's state of health immediately.

Although people need variety and wide selections and combinations of food, cats and dogs are not built the same way. This is often a mistaken belief that people have when it comes to feeding their pet. If they give their pet different types of food each day, they are teaching their pet that they can have an opinion, thus causing them to possibly not eat and hold out for a food choice they prefer more. Dogs and cats are not built like humans. They can get all of the proper nutrients and vitamins they need from only one particular dog food. Once you realize which food your pet likes best, just stick with it. Your pet will thank you for it!

Another reason that pets may not eat could be a family member who enjoys giving the pet ?people? snacks from the dinner table. If a dog gets pieces of ?people food,? that may very well satisfy their hunger until the next day. So, when you try to feed your pet, they are simply not hungry because they were already fed from the table. Not only can feeding from the table ruin your pet's appetite, it is also bad for them. Again, humans and animals have different nutritional needs, and human food may actually be more harmful to pets than is often realized.

Many dogs have an inherent nature to please their owners. Oftentimes when a pet eats their food, their owners praise them and show their dog that they are happy with them. Though this is fine, it can sometimes encourage dogs to overeat. Similar to humans, overeating can cause discomfort or bloating. If a pet later refuses to eat, they are simply saying they can't hold any more food and they are blocking it out in an attempt to be more comfortable.

Whatever the problem may be, it is always a good idea to visit your veterinary clinic and discuss your pet's eating habits with a professional. Your vet will be able to recommend a certain dog food type, as well as defining the amount of food and how many times a day your pet should be fed. Soon, you and your pet can find something that works for the both of you. Good luck!