Just like kids, our dogs can be fussy eaters as well. There are countless stories out there about folks who have to put their dog’s food in the oven or microwave to trick them into thinking they are getting some of that delicious human food. Or even dogs that just absolutely have to have a dollop of wet food added on top in order for them to eat their kibble. And some dogs just completely refuse to eat out of their dog food bowls. So what should you do?
Why won’t my dog eat out of a dog bowl?
There are many reasons why a dog won’t eat our of their dog food bowl. Here is a list of 9 we think are the most common.
- It is possible that your dog may be dealing with an illness or injury. Any change in dietary habits is definitely worth a call or a visit to the veterinarian. It could also be that maybe your dog is stressed due to new changes like moving to a new house or even just changes like getting a new bowl!
- Another potential reason could be that the bowl is too deep or too small for your dog and is causing them discomfort when they try to eat from it.
- Similarly, if the bowl is low on the ground, a large and tall dog has to really bend their head into an uncomfortable position to be able to eat which could cause the dog pain. Consider trying a stand that props the food up for the dog. These are available at pet stores. You could also make a DIY one by placing your dog’s food bowl at a higher level on top of a bin with a lid or some other solid surface.
- It could also be because your dog is making a negative association between the food bowl along with a tummy ache. If the last time they ate that food from that bowl, they got a tummy ache, it stands to reason that your dog would worry it may happen again. Thus, these smart pooches will refuse to eat out of the bowl.
- Similarly, our dog’s food and water bowls need to be cleaned frequently, if not every day. Stagnant water and food left standing out for a while can and will easily become a breeding ground for bad germs. Dogs can pick up on bad smells that come from these things and may refuse to eat from them for that reason.
- Another reason could be that your dog’s collar is getting in the way. Those jingling tags can clang up against the side of the dog’s bowl and spook them enough to back away from the bowl and the food.
- The dog could even be uncomfortable with the slippery hardwood floor. Try placing the bowl on a large carpeted area or on a rug and see if that helps.
- It could also be that your dog’s teeth are hurting. Think back to the last time you had a toothache. The last thing you probably wanted was to eat something hard and crunchy! If your dog will let you, try to check your dog’s mouth and teeth to see if there are any loose teeth, redness, or inflammation, as these can all be signs of a site that is causing pain. A visit to the vet and some soft food will be in order!
- One other thing that could be causing your dog to not eat from their bowl is if it is made of plastic. Some dogs may not like to surface feeling of plastic, so it could be worth getting a stainless steel bowl to try. Our dog also got allergies around his lips from his plastic bowl and once we switched it went away.
If your dog is bored of their food you might like to read our post about that here or if you think your dog might need a flavor change, then be sure to read, Same Dog Food Different Flavor: Dog Food Flavor Questions
You might also like to read one of our other related post: How long can a dog chew a bone?
Why will my dog eat off the floor but not the bowl?
Some dogs are notorious for only wanting to eat off the floor. There are even countless stories out there of dogs who take a bite from the bowl, spit the food out onto the ground, and then eat it up from where they just spit it out on the ground!
Other times, dogs take a bite from their bowl and then walk all the way to another room before they actually chew the food. It may be that they have just developed a weird habit, or it could have something to do with their natural instincts.
Today’s pet dog’s ancestors often would drag food away from the location the food was killed. More submissive dogs in a pack would have to sneak away what they could and hide to eat in peace as the more dominant dogs would often get first dibs at the food or bother the more submissive dogs for the rest.
It could be that your pooch is still honoring those instincts by taking his food away to another room. Or even just a little bit lazier of a version for the dogs who just take a bite and drop it on the floor instead of going to another room!
Some dogs may also like the game of putting it on the floor and moving it around as they lick it up.
In any case, if your dog doesn’t like eating their food from a bowl, then there are other options. We even have one! Check out our slow feeding snufffle and lick mat combo, the funnest way for dogs to eat their food!
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HOUNDGAMES Snuffle Mat for Small Dogs, Pet Foraging mat for Smell Training and Slow Eating, with... |
$27.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
How do I get my dog to eat out of the bowl?
The first thing you could try is to simply relocate the bowl to another room. Maybe the dog is having a negative association with the room itself and not the bowl. Feeding your pup in another room may help!
Sometimes it may be the texture or appearance of the bowl that your dog doesn’t like. Maybe the shiny metal is upsetting, and the dog would prefer plastic, or maybe he would prefer a glass bowl or a ceramic bowl.
Trying different bowls, or heck, even switching to a plate, might be enough to pique your dog’s curiosity and get them to start eating from the dish!
And, of course, what better way is there to bribe a dog than with their favorite food? Try putting some cut-up hot dogs or plain chopped chicken breast on top of their food or mixing it in. Other options include store-bought toppers, which are especially stinky (in all the best ways for a dog) to help entice them to eat.
Are you interested in reading our post, Can Dogs Have Store-Bought Chicken Broth?
Why does my dog only want to eat from my hand?
There are several possible reasons as to why a dog might prefer eating out of their owner’s hands. One reason is that the pooch could be afraid of other animals in the home, and if these other pets are in the presence of your dog’s dish, they’ll come to you for comfort and help with eating.
There could also be other possible causes for fright as well. If your dog’s bowl is near a fridge, washing machine, dryer, etc., the motors kicking on or the washing machine running could be frightening enough that your dog will avoid that area at all costs. Consider switching your dog’s feeding location to a more quiet and solitary part of the house.
Dog bowl alternatives
Wobble Bowls
While it may seem counterintuitive to give your dog a bowl that wobbles, it can actually make mealtime much more exciting! People often use it for dogs who have separation anxiety and don’t want to be away from their owners.
Having the wobble bowl will help provide stimulation and enrichment, which will help the dog gain more confidence.
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Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Wobble Bowl Dog Game -Interactive Slow Feeder Bowl Dog Game |
$22.06 |
Buy on Amazon |
Muffin tin
A muffin tin is something you may already have at home! It’s best to put the pan on the carpet or on a rug, so it doesn’t slip and slide when your dog is trying to get the food out. By putting your pup’s food in the individual muffin tins, it forces them to use some creativity to get it out.
Hide and seek mat/snuffle mat
These are mats where you can easily hide your dog’s kibble among and in between pieces of fabric that have been tied together onto a mat. You can even twist up an old towel to make your own DIY snuffle mat! Doing this can help get your dog excited about mealtime and may even be easier for your pup to eat from than a bowl.
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HOUNDGAMES Snuffle Mat for Small Dogs, Pet Foraging mat for Smell Training and Slow Eating, with... |
$27.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Slanted bowls
Slanted bowls are perfect for brachycephalic dogs who, because of their breeding, have especially short snouts. Getting their mouth up and over into a regular bowl can be quite difficult for them. Instead, a slanted bowl allows for easier access!
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Uppetly Tilted Angle Dog Bowl, 15° Slanted Stainless Steel Dog Cat Food Bowl, Non-Slip & Non-Spill... |
$17.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Final Thoughts
If you and your dog are having a disagreement about how they eat their food, remember it’s okay to switch it up a bit. If your dog prefers a plate instead of a bowl, then that might just have to be their little quirk.
As long as they get their nutritional needs met, one way or another, we really can’t complain too much. Although it sure would be nice if they didn’t spill their food on the floor! Thankfully there are things you can do to help them build some less messy eating habits so you can save your floors.
