If you have a Rottweiler, you might notice they like being with you, especially during meals. Rottweilers are known for loving their owners a lot. It’s usually a good thing, except when it comes to food. Some Rottweilers can be picky eaters, and the reason sometimes needs to be clarified.
This article is here to help you figure out why your Rottweiler might be a picky eater. We’ll explore if there’s a reason in their genes or if there might be a health issue. Plus, we’ll share tips on what you can do to make mealtimes easier. Let’s find out more about your Rottweiler’s eating habits.
Are Rottweilers Picky Eaters?
Yes, Rottweilers can be picky eaters. Their preferences may vary, and factors such as age, health, and environment can influence their eating habits. Some Rottweilers may have specific likes and dislikes regarding food, while others may be more open to trying different options.
Owners must observe their Rottweiler’s behavior, provide a balanced and nutritious diet, and consult a veterinarian if concerns about their eating habits arise to ensure their overall well-being.
Why Are Rottweilers Picky Eaters?
As this Rottweiler owner thread on Reddit highlights, there can be several reasons why a Rottweiler might be a picky eater.
This behavior may occur from puppyhood or develop as your dog grows up. In either case, knowing some of the main reasons picky eating develops can help you identify the right approach to get your dog to eat more readily.
1. The food is causing allergies or discomfort
As Guardian Rottweilers breeder and kennel explain, Rottweilers can be particularly prone to developing food and skin allergies.
Sometimes, these conditions are made worse by certain commercial dog foods with ingredients Rottweilers may not tolerate well.
These are the main dog food ingredients that can cause a Rottweiler to experience discomfort and become a picky eater:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Soy
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Poultry (chicken, turkey)
- Beef
- Gluten
- By-products
- Fillers
- Flavor additives
- Sugar and empty carbohydrates
Some dog foods are particularly packed with these ingredients, while others are much simpler and may only have four or eight ingredients.
2. Your Rottweiler isn’t really hungry!
This one is often a real surprise to Rottie owners, mainly because Rottweilers are such big dogs, and it would seem they need to eat more to sustain themselves.
But when your dog is healthy in all other ways and is getting enough activity, exercise, playtime, and you-time, they may not be tempted to eat unless they are hungry. And the only way you can know how hungry your Rottie is is to try tests like the ones we share below.
3. Your Rottweiler is bored and wants something different
Rottweilers are brilliant dogs. WebMD for Pets explains that Rottweilers are among the ten most intelligent dog breeds.
What does this mean regarding meals, treats, and feeding time? Sometimes, it can mean your Rottie is just holding out for something better.
Don’t put it past a savvy Rottie puppy or a beloved adult Rottweiler to display picky eating behavior when your dog thinks this will convince you to give them a tastier treat.
This may be especially true if you have ever fallen for this trick. Your dog probably remembers and hopes you will bring the good stuff again.
It may also be possible that someone in your family has gotten into the habit of feeding your dog under the table or at other times during the day, and your Rottie gets full before dinner. It is always worth asking around before assuming, however.
4. Your Rottie really wants your attention instead
As this adorable YouTube video highlights, the behavior you interpret as picky eating may be just a desire for something better than food or treats – you!
In the video, the Rottweiler eats many new foods when his owner is hand-feeding them. But he isn’t the least interested when the owner gives the Rottie a plate of food – many of which the dog previously enjoyed.
5. Your Rottie is afraid of change
Rottweilers are not just one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They are also most emotionally sensitive and tuned in to their people.
This means some Rottweilers may get so stressed during the transition that they stop eating. Moving to a new home, a divorce, or even a change in their daily routine may provoke stress that interferes with a Rottweiler’s drive to eat.
Some dog experts now advocate switching up your dog’s food every few months. The theory is that it will expose your dog to a more balanced array of nutrients and help make future health-related food changes easier to tolerate.
But even if you are eager to try this, your Rottweiler may not be. Some dogs get very attached to having the same thing for dinner every night, and there can be deeply embedded survival instincts fueling this.
If the food suddenly looks or smells different, a part of your dog’s brain may think, “danger! warning!” In the wild, one bite of the wrong thing can mean the end of you. So your Rottie may be genuinely afraid to try the new food for fear it isn’t safe.
How to Help a Picky Rottweiler Eat
Here are some excellent ideas to help you encourage your dog to eat, whether you are dealing with a dog that doesn’t want to eat its regular food or won’t try any new foods.
1. Take the food away
Is this mean? If taking the food away is the only way to start figuring out if your dog is not hungry, is afraid, wants you, wants a treat instead, or has some other reason for not eating, it may be worth a try. You have your answer if your Rottweiler eats eagerly at the next meal.
2. Only leave the food out for 15 minutes
A Rottweiler that seems to “stall” at dinner time may just be holding out for you-time or something better.
When you only leave the food down for a short time, your dog will learn that when it is chow time, they’d better get in there if they want to eat.
3. Give your Rottie more exercise
Sometimes, your Rottweiler may not get enough activity to work up an appetite. Add an extra walk or more interactive play to see if eating gets easier.
4. Change foods slowly
Those transition times, from puppy food to adult food, can be challenging for you and your Rottweiler. To make it easier, plan the transition over eight days by mixing in more and more of the new food until your dog gets used to it.
5. Make mealtimes more fun
Try feeding the food in a treat ball, Kong toy, or sensory snuffle mat. Or do a training period just before meals, so your Rottweiler gets more interaction with you around mealtimes, thus increasing the anticipation.
6. Pretend to eat the food yourself
You may not feel very excited about this one! But you don’t have actually to eat your dog’s food. You can pretend and see if that makes your Rottie more interesting since Rottweilers are usually keen to do whatever their people do.
7. Check that the food is still fresh
It can be worth giving your dog’s kibble a sniff test yourself now and then. Pay attention to expiration dates!
Do you have a picky Rottweiler dog? What tips do you have to share to encourage a picky eater to get excited about dinner?
