My 4-year-old Lab/Kur mix, Beau, refuses to eat or drink from a bowl. This has been going on for about two years now. We’ve been feeding him off the floor and using a travel water bottle for his drinking. He’s otherwise a super happy dog, but we’re trying to get him to use a bowl again. Recently, we followed advice to only offer food in the bowl, hoping hunger would make him eat, but it’s been four days, and he hasn’t eaten a full meal yet. Any tips?
Have you tried switching up the type of bowl? Maybe a different material or shape would make him more comfortable.
Dija said:
Have you tried switching up the type of bowl? Maybe a different material or shape would make him more comfortable.
We’ve tried different bowls—metal, plastic, ceramic—but he still avoids them. Any suggestions for something unique?
@Smart
Maybe try a flat dish or even a shallow baking tray. Sometimes dogs associate certain shapes or sounds with stress.
Have you tried using high-value treats or special foods in the bowl? Like canned food or bits of cooked chicken?
Roberts said:
Have you tried using high-value treats or special foods in the bowl? Like canned food or bits of cooked chicken?
We haven’t tried that yet, but it sounds like a good idea. Should I mix it with his regular food?
@Smart
Yeah, start with just the treats and gradually mix in his regular food. The goal is to make the bowl a happy place!
Is there any chance something scared him while eating or drinking from a bowl in the past?
MegWhitgal said:
Is there any chance something scared him while eating or drinking from a bowl in the past?
It’s possible. He’s a rescue, and we adopted him during Covid, so we don’t know much about his past.
@Smart
That makes sense. Take it slow and try to build positive associations. Rescue pups can be extra sensitive to certain triggers.
Desensitization might help. Start by putting the bowl near him without food, so he gets used to it being around.
Woof said:
Desensitization might help. Start by putting the bowl near him without food, so he gets used to it being around.
I’ll try that! Should I just leave it there all the time or only during feeding?
@Smart
Start with just having it around during feeding times. Once he’s comfortable, you can start adding food gradually.
Maybe use the travel water bottle as a step. Put it in the bowl and let him drink from it there.
SarahMiller said:
Maybe use the travel water bottle as a step. Put it in the bowl and let him drink from it there.
That’s a creative idea! I hadn’t thought of combining the two. I’ll give it a shot.