Have you noticed that your Husky is ignoring its food for consecutive days? If your Husky has been refusing its treats and snacks for more than a day, it’s a sign that something is wrong. Though it’s good to take your Husky to the vet if it refuses food for more than a few days, you can still do something in your home to make it want its food again. Food refusal is very critical in Huskies because they don’t talk. We don’t have an idea why they are ignoring their food as well as their owners. But that doesn’t mean we will do nothing!
Huskies are wolves in nature, and they are very dramatic. There are times that they want to play now, then will ignore you afterward. But if they start to refuse the food you give, we need to find out the reason for this. So keep on reading and share what you did to make your Husky eat happily again.
What Are The Causes Of My Husky Not Eating?
There are several reasons why your Husky may not be interested in eating.
Dental issues
The first problem to consider is the condition of your Husky’s teeth and gums. Dental problems are prevalent in Huskies and can cause pain when eating food. There may be inflammation which is also a sign of infection. Or, your Husky has cut in the gums from eating hard and sharp bones.
Digestive discomfort
Your Husky may also have an illness that makes it difficult for him to swallow or some type of digestive problem that makes it reject its snack. If you are not giving your full Husky attention, it may eat anything on the ground that can be a passage for obstruction and parasite invasion.
Environmental stress
Your Husky might be stressed out due to a change in his environment or routine, which could result in a loss of appetite. This happens especially on the first days or weeks after bringing it to your home. It’s common for any dog breed because they need some time to adjust and be familiarized with their new environment.
Unwanted flavor
One reason for food refusal is unwanted flavor. If you suddenly changed your Husky’s meal and noticed that it looks away whenever you put its bowl in front, then your Husky does not like its new food. That is why if you are planning to change any part of your Husky’s diet, make sure to do it little by little.
Medicine after-effect
Like humans, there are medicines that will suppress the appetite after taking them. So if your Husky is currently under vet medications, that’s probably one of the reasons why it’s refusing the snack you give. But don’t worry, your Husky will get back to its normal state after the therapy. And if not, there’s an underlying condition that needs to get cured.
How To Make My Husky Want Food Again?
Choose a new food
Huskies go through periods of disinterest in treats, but they need to eat regularly. Luckily, there are many ways to tempt them into eating snacks. To stimulate your Husky’s appetite, try different treats and textures and make sure the food is at room temperature or heated.
You can also provide them a treat before mealtime, which may help switch their focus from the less desirable food they were being offered to a treat they know they love. If you want to try a new set of foods for your Husky, keep in mind that different foods have different textures and flavors. Additionally, it might be beneficial to ask your veterinarian for suggestions on what type of food might be best for your Husky.
Hand-feed
If your Husky has refused every food-related bribery attempt you’ve tried so far, don’t worry! You can try hand-feeding your Husky to make it want its food again.
It may sound silly, but if your Husky is struggling with appetite issues and you have time on your hands, this can be a great way to bond with your pup while also ensuring they eat enough to keep them healthy. While hand-feeding isn’t going to solve all of your problems, it may at least get some food into their system so they can focus on treatment or healing from an injury without worrying about eating first.
Add chicken or bone broth
You can add bits of chicken or add bone broth to your Husky’s meal. It is vital to add some protein to your Husky’s food so that it can have a source of energy even if it’s not eaten regularly.
But if your Husky happens to be drinking water rather than eating food, you mix bone broth in its water bowl to acquire nutrients while drinking.
Feed your Husky in different locations
If your Husky is not eating due to environmental stress, try feeding it in different locations. Experiment with anywhere you think your Husky may find more enticing than its usual spot. Or stay in the exact place but change up the routine by feeding your Husky at a different time of day or on a different schedule.
Also, keep its mealtime consistent, especially if your Husky starts to be a picky eater, then try adjusting the location simultaneously. Sometimes even a minor change can make all the difference to an underappreciated Husky who wants attention and stimulation as much as food.
When it comes to feeding multiple Huskies at once, try separating each Husky into their own location, so they don’t have to compete with one another over food. This technique also works well if you have any dominant dogs whom you don’t want bullying others away from their food bowls. Remember that Huskies tend to be dramatic, so if their food has been eaten by other dogs, they will feel betrayed.
Play with your Husky before mealtime
Guaranteeing that your Husky is hungry for food isn’t as simple as it may seem. Since these breeds are heavily descended from wolves and have therefore evolved to be more active, exercise is vital for keeping your Husky healthy and happy. This means that you will likely be taking them on walks or runs. What many people don’t know is that these activities can trigger the release of endorphins, leading to a suppression of appetite in the dog. So even if you think your Husky’s daily walk was only a few minutes long, they might not be hungry enough to eat their meal.
One solution is scheduling playtime with your Husky before feeding time. This accomplishes two important things: it creates a positive association with food in your dog’s mind and helps them associate food with fun. Playtime can also help control how much your dog eats by causing them to feel full faster, so they won’t overeat at one time.
Use a puzzle toy
If you’re searching for a way to help your Husky get his food and stimulate his brain at the same time, consider investing in a food puzzle toy. These toys are great because they force your Husky to work for its meals. The challenge of trying to get the food or treat out of the toy will make it more interested in eating, and it’ll also provide it with mental stimulation.
These toys come in all shapes and sizes, but the basic idea is that they dispense dry kibble or treats when your Husky plays with them or tries to open them. Some have mechanical parts that will release small bits of food as your pet nudges them around, while others hide food inside, which your Husky has to figure out how to remove.
Bottom Line
There are lots of foods that can be fed to the Husky, but before you provide them to your dog, make sure that you will only feed them the good ones if you would like to please your Husky. Keep in mind that no matter how much you love your Husky, it’s not going to be like having another human being around. Huskies are magnificent creatures, but they require a lot of attention, energy, and care to keep them happy and healthy. You must have the knowledge regarding their temperament, like this typical situation of food refusal.
Because if you are not doing anything, your Husky may just die from hunger, anorexia, and other more severe health conditions. So, treat your Husky like your own child. Make it want its food again! And if you are losing hope, it’s time to consult a vet and save your Husky.
If your Husky starts eating again, check this list by clicking here, to know our best pick for chew treats!
