What to do if a Golden Retriever (detailed introduction) won't eat? How to handle it? If you have a young Golden Retriever at home, but at some point you suddenly notice that recently your Golden Retriever’s appetite isn’t good, and it seems not to like eating. Normally able to eat a bowl of food, now a whole day has passed and it still hasn’t eaten much.  Of course, we cannot just ignore this and need to find out the reason. Below, the editor lists some common causes and solutions for a Golden Retriever not eating.

1. Poor Eating Habits

     What to do if a Golden Retriever won’t eat? How to handle it? If it grew up with bad eating habits, causing the Golden Retriever not to eat well. If this is the case, you might first try to starve the dog for a day. Generally, when the dog is truly hungry, it won’t care much about the food. We know dogs are “tolerant of hunger but not fullness” animals, so starving the dog for one or two meals usually won’t cause problems. Of course, during the fasting period, you must closely monitor the Golden Retriever’s condition.

2. Food Issues

     What to do if a Golden Retriever won’t eat? How to handle it? Sometimes the Golden Retriever may not eat well because of food problems. For example, the food might be spoiled or rotten with an odor, or the taste might be off, affecting the dog’s appetite. Therefore, when preparing food for your Golden Retriever, it’s best to check if the food is fresh. Don’t feed spoiled or rotten food to the Golden Retriever, as this not only reduces appetite but may also cause gastrointestinal diseases in serious cases.

3. Weather Reasons

     What to do if a Golden Retriever won’t eat? How to handle it? During the hot summer, the climate may cause the dog not to eat well. Similarly, when the Golden Retriever is in an unfamiliar environment and feels nervous or scared, it will also affect its appetite. In such cases, owners don’t have to worry too much. Usually, giving the Golden Retriever some time and preparing some light and tasty food will quickly help the dog return to normal eating behavior and eat well again.

4. Gastrointestinal Issues

     What to do if a Golden Retriever won’t eat? How to handle it? Most Golden Retrievers have stomach problems, partly due to their nature: eating without knowing hunger or fullness, overeating; and partly because the owners don’t know how to pay attention to the dog’s diet, overly spoiling the dog which damages its stomach. For digestive issues like indigestion, poor appetite, or enteritis, probiotics such as Gudeng can be tried to regulate intestinal flora and protect the stomach. Since gastrointestinal problems are serious and require long-term care, the Golden Retriever’s appetite will gradually recover as it heals.

5. Dislike of Food

     What to do if a Golden Retriever won’t eat? How to handle it? Initially loving the food, but later getting tired of it, or after switching to a different flavor of dog food, the Golden Retriever refuses to eat. This is normal and requires the owner to find solutions, such as soaking dog food with goat milk powder. Usually, Golden Retrievers can hardly resist the temptation of goat milk powder.

What to do if a Golden Retriever won’t eat? How to handle it? To get a Golden Retriever to eat well, the most crucial factor is the owner. Formulating a scientific feeding plan for the dog is important, and this needs to start from puppyhood by training the Golden Retriever to develop good eating habits and lifestyle. All this good guidance must first come from the owner setting a good example. Otherwise, if the Golden Retriever develops a picky eating habit, life will be even more troublesome in the future.