It can be pretty stressful when your sweet-tempered Springer Spaniel suddenly stops eating. However, you can do a few things when encountering such a problem. So if you are looking for some remedies for getting your Springer Spaniel to eat, you are in the right place.
Here are the 6 things you should do if your springer spaniel won’t eat:
- Switch your Springer Spaniel to a new brand of food.
- Make your Springer Spaniel’s kibble more appetizing.
- Remove environmental stressors in the home.
- Create a routine for feeding times for your Springer Spaniel.
- Make sure your Springer Spaniel is getting enough exercise.
- Take your Springer Spaniel to see a veterinarian.
In the rest of this article, I will go over the most common reasons your Springer Spaniel is probably refusing to eat and what you should do to manage the issue. So let’s dive right in.
1. Switch Your Springer Spaniel to a New Brand of Food
One of the most common reasons behind a Springer Spaniel’s refusal to eat is a dislike for the food they are given. Just like humans, dogs can grow tired of eating the same thing each day; exactly why you should try mixing things up.
While it may take some time to find something that your dog responds positively to, testing out new dog food flavors can help make mealtimes exciting again. Use caution when changing their food as it can make their stomach’s upset.
My dogs love Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison and Venison High Protein (available on Amazon.com). Its high in protein, which is important for young and active Springer Spaniels. Click on the link to see all the benefits. My dogs have never missed a meal.
2. Make Your Springer Spaniel’s Kibble More Appetizing
If a new food brand doesn’t excite your Springer Spaniel, then it’s time to try dressing up the old kibble. By adding to their kibble, the meal will become more tempting (and appetizing) to the disinterested canine. So how exactly do you go about dressing up plain old dog food?
Below are ways you can make your dog’s kibble more appetizing:
- Soak the kibble in water to make wet food. Most dogs usually prefer wet food and the added moisture is great for their health.
- Top the dry food with boiled chicken breast or canned wet dog food. By adding a little excitement to their kibble, your Springer Spaniel will be more likely to chow down on their flavorful, neatly soaked meals.
- Mix kibble types in one bowl. Sometimes, an excellent dry food mix can spur your dog’s appetite into action.
- Place some of their food and a few treats into a snuffle mat. Using a snuffle mat is a great way to make mealtimes fun and get your dog to eat without realizing it.
If you don’t already own a snuffle mat, I recommend Pet Arenas Adjustable Snuffle Mat (available on Amazon). This excellent mat has multiple folds of fabric for you to hide treats that your dog can sniff around to find. Plus, this mat is also easy to clean since it’s fabric, and you can throw it in the washer when needed.
You should do whatever you can to make food more appealing to your springer spaniel. However, do your research before topping your dog’s dry food with just any people’s food, as not all foods are healthy for dogs.
3. Remove Environmental Stressors in the Home
One of the leading reasons for reduced appetite in dogs is stress. Many factors can stress your Springer Spaniel, and it’s your job to quickly identify and remove as many of those stress triggers as possible.
Below are some environmental factors that can stress your Springer Spaniel and lead to appetite loss:
- A new environment. If you have just moved or the dog is a new addition to your family, they may stop eating. To help alleviate this, you should try and incorporate familiar items throughout the home and do your best to make the new space feel safe for your pup.
- Another pet. Sadly another pet could be causing your Springer Spaniel incredible amounts of stress. You should observe how your Springer Spaniel interacts with other household pets. If you spot a pet bullying your dog, you should do your best to separate the two.
- A new person. A new human in the home could be making your dog feel wary, so it’s essential to show your Springer Spaniel that they are safe. You can do this by having the new person feed them treats, pet them, and play with them.
You will want to remove any stressors you notice might be triggering your canine companion’s anorexia, as often new factors in a Springer Spaniels environment are the culprit.
4. Create a Routine for Feeding Times for Your Springer Spaniel
Next, you should do your best to create and stick to a feeding time routine for your Springer Spaniel. By creating a feeding schedule, your dog will have time to work up an appetite and will know when they can expect to eat.
In addition, creating a routine will help alleviate any food-related anxiety for your Springer Spaniel.
5. Make Sure Your Springer Spaniel Is Getting Enough Exercise
Another reason your Springer Spaniel may have difficulty eating is because they aren’t getting enough exercise. Springer Spaniels were initially bred as bird hunting dogs and therefore need plenty of exercise each day to remain healthy.
You can accomplish this through:
- Taking them for walks each day.
- Allowing them ample space to run around at a park or in your backyard.
- Provide them with interactive toys to keep them more active throughout the day. The Chuckit! Ball Launcher (available on Amazon.com) is an awesome toy to help throw tennis balls so much further and really get your pup a good workout.
6. Take Your Springer Spaniel To See a Veterinarian
Lastly, if you notice your Springer Spaniel’s decreased appetite, it’s always a good idea to consult a vet. By seeing a veterinarian, they can rule out if there’s anything seriously wrong with your dog and give you advice on how to get your pup eating again.
As dogs age, they are more likely to experience a decrease in their appetite, and by catching this early, you can better prolong their life. So when in doubt, you should definitely make an appointment to see your vet.
Key Takeaways
Springer Spaniels are one of the sweetest dog breeds, which also means that they can be pretty sensitive. So if you notice your spaniel isn’t eating, it’s undoubtedly a good idea to speak to a veterinarian immediately.
A few of these tricks might also help get your dog build up an appetite again:
- Switch kibble flavors.
- Add boiled chicken or canned dog food to the kibble.
- Identify and remove stressors in the home.
- Implement a feeding routine.
- Give them plenty of exercise.
