Question:
Why won't my dog eat? My 3 year old Schnauzer will not eat his morning meal most days, and we have to coax him to eat all of his food in the dish. We keep him exercised and we have cut back on food portions. He eats his evening meal fine though. In the morning he will push his dish of food around on the floor but won't eat the food. Why does my dog do this?

A:  I recommend twice daily feedings.  Leave the food out for 20 minutes and if your dog doesn't eat it, pick it up!

Some dogs only like to eat once a day.  I recommend twice daily feedings, because it helps to promote a better metabolism. 

For a Schnauzer, it is recommended to feed 1/2 cup dry food twice daily.  If you are feeding more than that at either feeding, your dog may not be hungry in the morning.  I would recommend continuing to offer the food twice a day, and if he/she only eats one of the meals, that is fine!  I would not recommend forcing your dog to eat a meal.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital