Vizslas are our favorite dog breeds because they are naturally affectionate and make good companions. They are known for a lot of things, such as their adaptability, trainability, and friendliness. But they’re also known for being picky eaters. If you are a Vizsla lover and you’re having trouble keeping your appetite, this is the right guide for you.
Determine Food Intake by Age
Vizslas are naturally picky eaters, so you must know how to deal with them properly. Being able to determine how much food intake is necessary is the first step to resolving this dilemma. This would also help minimize their tendency to be picky eaters.
- Vizsla puppies aged two to three months need to be fed at least four times in 24 hours.
- Three to 6-month old Vizsla puppies should have three meals a day. Two meals would be enough for Vizsla puppies until they turn one. By that time, you can give them at least one full meal daily.
You must know your Vizsla’s eating habits to understand how you can make them eat properly. Remember that the best way to keep your Vizsla on track with their meals is to be proactive in learning how to feed them.
Train Your Dog, Not the Other Way Around
Because you love your Vizsla puppy so much, you’d basically give him anything he wants. You’ll end up thinking about what to offer next because he only sniffed the last meal that you gave. You also end up thinking that your Vizsla probably wants a variety of tastes.
The truth is that your Vizsla, by its nature, can eat a single type of food every day. You must stick to one type of food. Do not be anxious if your Vizsla doesn’t touch it the first time. If you give them something new every single time, they will end up manipulating you into doing it over and over again.
Set a Routine
Vizslas are known to adapt to any routine activity presented to them quickly. The technique is to offer the food and take it away after 30 minutes, regardless of whether he touches it or not. For the next mealtime, give the same food and take it away once again after 30 minutes. Soon, your Vizsla would realize that there’s no other option but to eat what’s in there.
Setting a routine would also help your Vizslas be trained on which behaviors are tolerable and which aren’t. It would help if you stuck to the pattern. After some time, your Vizsla will ask for treats. Do not give in!
Take it Easy on the Sweets.
Another possible reason your Vizsla is a picky eater is that you’re giving out too many treats or food scraps. The more they see that they have various options, the more they turn away from their meals.
If you started your Vizsla with dog food, stick to it and avoid table food at all costs. If you started with a raw food diet, it would be best to keep it that way. Treats can still be given, but make sure you watch how much and how often you do it.
Look for Signs of Stress
Like humans, a Vizsla’s loss of appetite can be due to too much stress. Yes, dogs can feel stress and other emotions too. Feeding time is a good bonding for a Vizsla and its owner. If the owner is always absent or doesn’t show enough affection, it may cause your Vizsla to develop picky eating habits.
You’ll know that your Vizsla is stressed when you notice the following:
- You see that your Vizsla is growling, which could be a sign of stress or anxiety.
- If your Vizsla keeps on barking or whining or pacing back and forth, it’s possible that they cannot control their stress.
- Other body languages like freezing, yawning, and panting can also be signs of stress.
Check for Underlying Health Issues
If your Vizsla’s picky eating habit is already affecting its overall health, it’s best to check for possible health issues. According to the American Kennel Club, it’s important to know when to bring your Vizsla to the vet. Do it if your dog’s loss of appetite is more than 24 hours, and you see signs of discomfort.
Conclusion
Dealing with a picky eating Vizsla could be challenging. But as long as you keep in mind the techniques mentioned, you should never find yourself in trouble next feeding time.
