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Dogs are usually eager eaters. So what's going on when they lose their appetite?

It may be a health problem. But it could just be about the foods you're offering. 

Ask yourself these seven questions to help figure it out.

1. Is the Food Fresh?

A healthy dog may walk away from a bowl of food that's gone bad.

A large bag of kibble left open for a month will lose its appeal and could turn rancid. Canned food is only tasty and edible for three to five days after it’s opened, and you must keep it in the fridge.

2. Is He Bored?

Your pet may be getting tired of its food.

Try warming it up. Heat it slightly in the microwave to release more of its aroma and make dinner more attractive to your dog, says Tami Pierce, DVM, assistant clinical professor at University of California, Davis.

You can also liven it up with a little low-sodium broth, low-fat cottage cheese, boneless chicken, or hamburger for a few days. Don’t do this for long, though, or it can be habit forming and your dog will come to expect it, Pierce says. Once he's back to eating normally, start cutting back on the extras.

You could also give them wet canned food or make a mix of canned and dry.

“People avoid canned food because they mistakenly think it’s higher in calories and bad for the teeth, but it’s none of those things,” Pierce says.

If you do make a change, notice how your dog reacts. It could be that they don't like the new food for some reason.

3. Do You Give Too Many Treats?

You could be offering your dog so many treats that at mealtime she’s not hungry.

Pierce says this happens a lot. So cut back on treats. Dogs shouldn't get more than 10% of their calories each day from treats and snacks. If you’re not sure how much that is for your dog, ask your vet.