Any tips on getting my dogs to eat please?

[SpaceRock]

Won't entertain wet.

Switched to raw for a while but then they turned their noses up. We're leaving it for hours. I was having to keep it in fridge (yuck) it's getting warmer so was attracting flies immediately after being put down.

So I've got them a good kibble, which they like... When being hand fed like it's a treat 🙄

I've had 1/2 their daily portion down in a bowl since lunch time and no ones eaten.

I'm bloody sick of their fussiness.

I'm not swapping foods again as it happens with everything!!

Any ideas please?

They're 3 small breed mixes if that makes an difference (2 pug mix, one terrier mix)

I did a dog training course that recommended ditching the bowl of kibble and offering the food as rewards for training, recall etc. My two eat quite well these days so I haven't done this full on but I did use this approach to improve the puppy's recall. Instead of separate treats, a portion of kibble dished out pretty generously during our walks - worked wonders. He's a food oriented dog though. My older one is less interested

Try mixing in a spoonful of Greek yogurt.

Our mini schnauzer is down to about 2/3 quantity because of the heat. If we scatter his kibble around the kitchen he likes snuffling about to find it but the yogurt is our last resort.

Have you tried taking them for a walk first? One of my dogs doesn't always want their breakfast, but will always eat it after we have had a walk. Think the exercise must make her hungry.

I'd try soaking the food in boiling water. Obviously leave it to cool for a bit before giving it them.

If that didn't work, I'd add a bit of meat to the kibble before soaking it.

I’d just offer the food in the morning if it’s not eaten in 5 minutes take it up and offer it in the evening and repeat. They won’t starve. I wouldn’t offer any treats or alternatives.

My dog is exactly the same. Whenever we think we've found something he likes, he only eats it for a couple of days and then refuses. We are trying Tails.com at the moment. Started off really well. Ate loads the first day. Then stopped. I've had Tails change the recipe. I've tried gravy on it. I've mixed kibble with wet food. I've warmed it up. I've tried hand feeding. Nothing works.

Don't leave food down.

If they don't eat pick it up after about 20 minutes.

Are you feeding treats?

If you are cut those out and, as pp said, use their food as treats.

I'm afraid you have caused the fussiness. Dogs won't starve themselves. If the food isn't eaten in ten minutes, pick it up. No other food or treats until the next mealtime. You choose their food, not them. If you are feeling generous, add a spoonful of tinned food, but I would save that until they are eating the kibble without faffing.

Dogs won't die if they go without food for a day or so. As someone else said pick it up after about 20 minutes. Hunger will win in the end !

As long as they are a good weight, I would just ignore it tbh. Let them have access to food, reduce or seriousl limit treats and extras then leave them to it.

I have a fussy dog. EVERYONE thinks it is my fault. It is not, she is the only fussy dog I have ever had and even though I have another dog she would just let the other dog eat her food... It is really stressful, but as long as they aren't underweight or ill and are choosing to ignore food, the best thing is honestly just to keep feeding and ignore. Mine regularly goes a few days eating barely a thing, sometimes will barely eat for a few weeks, but she always starts again.

Stop leaving food down all the time.

Pick a food they eat and then pick when you went to feed them. Portion their food, feed them and if they've not eaten in twenty minutes, take it up and don't give them anything else until their next meal.

Repeat each time. They won't starve and they'll soon learn to eat when they're fed!

My two got fussy too. Then I decided that since I know they like their food if they didn't eat it that was their business and no reason for me to stress.

These days I call them into the kitchen and put their bowls down. One of them (rescue) only eats off the floor - I don't think he had meals in bowls before we got him - so I tip his on the floor and then I go and sit at the kitchen table. After 20 minutes I scrape all leftover food into the food bin and very obviously wash the bowls and floor saying "All gone".

They eat now, and if one of them doesn't that's OK - I miss meals sometimes too. I don't offer alternatives. There is a snack of milk bones (the very tiny ones) at bed time but that's it. The rest of the time if they do something good I give them a big love and lots of praise.

We're all happier and they know what's what.