Why Your Picky Eater Might Not Be So Picky After All

We all know one: the dog who sniffs their bowl like it’s suspicious sushi, then walks away in dramatic protest. This could well be because of less- than-ideal food (see Mills for more info about customized, portion perfect nutrition for your dog), but there are other issues that could be impacting your dog’s appetite.

Here are three often-overlooked reasons your pup might be turning up their nose at dinner.

1. Dental Pain: It’s Not Just for Seniors

Your dog might not be picky—they might just be in pain. Dental issues are one of the top culprits when it comes to sudden changes in appetite. Broken teeth, sore gums, and infections can make chewing painful.

Signs to look for:

• Dropping food from their mouth
  
• Chewing on one side only
  
• Excessive drooling or pawing at the mouth
• Bad breath (beyond regular “dog breath”)

If your dog suddenly refuses food or seems reluctant to eat things they previously loved, it’s worth a dental check-up.

2. Stress: Appetite is the First to Go

Just like humans, stress can impact a dog’s appetite. But unlike humans, dogs don’t typically “stress eat.” Instead, they may skip meals entirely. Whether it’s a move, a new family member (baby, dog, cat… a Roomba), or even a shift in routine, emotional upheaval can send their digestive system into pause mode.

Stress signals might include:

• Pacing, whining, or hiding
  
• Clinginess or unusual behavior
• Avoiding the food bowl even when hungry

Pro tip: Creating calm rituals around feeding time—same place, same time, same bowl—can help. And if stress is suspected, adding a few minutes of petting or play before dinner might make all the difference.

3. Nausea: Not Always Obvious

You might not know your dog feels nauseated—because they’re excellent at hiding it. Nausea doesn’t always mean vomiting. It can mean just enough discomfort to make eating unappealing.

Causes can include:

• Motion sickness (even hours later after a car ride)
  
• Gastrointestinal upset
  
• Medication side effects
• Underlying illness (especially kidney or liver issues)

Clues to watch for:

• Lip licking or drooling
  
• Grass eating (more than the usual recreational nibble)
• Vomiting yellow bile or foam

Packing it all up

While your dog might have lost interest in their food (in which case you may want to try MillsDailyPacks, super healthy, meat first, customized nutrition) they may also be trying to tell you something important. Appetite changes are one of the earliest and most consistent signs that something’s off.

Make sure you rule out pain and illness, keep mealtime consistent and stress-free, watch for patterns in behavior (before and after meals), and don’t wait more than 24–48 hours of food refusal before seeking advice.