27/08/2026
Many people say Shibas are picky eaters. But first, let’s leave Shibas out of it for a moment—picky eating happens whether a dog is a Shiba Inu or not. As long as they are overly spoiled, any dog will become picky, just like how spoiled kids become picky eaters too.
If a dog skips a meal, there's usually a reason for it. For example, the most common phase where dogs get spoiled is between 4 to 6 months old. They might feel uncomfortable because they are teething, have indigestion from overeating, or lose their appetite due to heat cycles. Many owners feel like the sky is falling and fear their dog will starve just because it missed one meal, so they immediately offer something much tastier. This teaches the dog that skipping a meal leads to better food, which unintentionally encourages their picky behavior.
Even humans lose their appetite sometimes, so there's no need to panic over a dog missing a meal. When it comes to Shibas being picky eaters, some of it comes down to genetics, anxiety, or being easily distracted—all of which affect their eating habits. That’s why it’s important to guide them using the right methods early on. But of course, a lot of it is still human-made.
