What to Do If Rover Gets Distracted at Mealtime

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What to Do If Rover Gets Distracted at Mealtime

  • 3 min read

Most veterinarians recommend sticking to a feeding schedule for dogs. While free-choice feeding can work in specific situations, it’s usually not the best approach. That said, even scheduled feedings can come with challenges—especially if your dog gets distracted during meals.

Dogs can get sidetracked whether they’re eating dry kibble, cold-pressed food, or raw ingredients. The type of food usually isn’t the issue. So, what’s causing the distractions, and how can you help your dog stay focused at mealtime?

What to Do If Rover Gets Distracted at Mealtime

1. Stick to a Consistent Feeding Schedule

The first step in reducing mealtime distractions is to establish a consistent feeding schedule. Whether you’re feeding Nextrition cold-pressed dog food or another option, consistency is key to keeping your dog focused.

Vets typically recommend feeding adult dogs twice a day, spaced about 12 hours apart. If your schedule only allows for 10-11 hours between feedings, that’s fine—just try to be as consistent as possible. Sticking to a routine helps your dog associate certain times with food, making them more likely to focus at mealtime.

A helpful tip: if your dog doesn’t finish their food within 15-20 minutes, remove the bowl. This teaches them that food is available only for a limited time, encouraging them to eat when it’s offered instead of wandering off.

2. Create a Calm Eating Space

Some dogs get distracted by their surroundings. If you think your dog’s environment might be the issue, try setting up a designated eating space away from high-traffic areas. Keep them separated from other pets and young children during meals to reduce competition and interruptions.

If noises from outside seem to pull your dog’s attention, consider feeding them in an interior room where sounds are muffled. Using the same feeding space every day helps your dog get into a rhythm—they’ll start to understand that when they’re in that space, it’s time to eat.

3. Try Some Simple Training

While a consistent routine and designated space may solve the issue for some dogs, others might need a little extra help through training. If your dog continues to struggle with distractions, try these training techniques:

  • Ignore the Distraction
    Start with a quiet, distraction-free environment. Once your dog gets used to the routine, gradually introduce mild distractions during mealtime (like soft noises or movement). With practice, your dog will learn to ignore even larger distractions.
  • “Watch Me” Command
    Train your dog to focus on you with a specific command like "watch me." Use this command during meals if your dog starts to lose focus. Once they give you their attention, redirect them back to their food.
  • “Leave It” Command
    Teach your dog the “leave it” command using toys or treats. Once they’ve learned it, you can apply the command during meals if they get distracted by something else. This can help reinforce mealtime focus.

Every dog is different, so feel free to experiment with other training methods that work best for your pet. If you’re not sure where to start, your vet may have specific tips based on your dog’s behavior and personality.

The Role of Healthy, Tasty Food

At Nextrition, our goal is to create a nutritious, flavorful cold-pressed dog food that dogs want to eat. A healthy, appealing food can make all the difference—especially for picky eaters or dogs who tend to get distracted at mealtime.

If distractions are still a problem, it might help to try a food that’s easy on your dog’s stomach and packed with flavors they love. Nextrition’s cold-pressed dog food is designed to be both nutritious and appetizing, giving your dog more reasons to stay focused when it’s time to eat. Plus, Nextrition cold-pressed dog food is more nutrient dense than traditional kibble so you can feed up to 30% less meaning they will take 30% fewer bites to get the same number of nutrients. 

With the right combination of routine, environment, and training, most dogs will learn to focus during meals. And with a food like Nextrition that’s as nutritious as it is delicious, you can feel confident that every meal is supporting your dog’s health and happiness.

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