My puppy is suddenly fussy about food, is that normal

Sore gums from incoming adult teeth, usually between four and seven months old, can make crunching dry kibble uncomfortable for a few days, leading to temporary pickiness that resolves once the teeth settle.

Puppies transitioned to a new food too quickly can develop mild stomach upset that dampens appetite temporarily, which is why food transitions are usually recommended gradually over five to seven days rather than switched overnight.

Small and toy breed puppies in particular have less reserve than adult dogs and can develop low blood sugar if they go too long without eating, so a puppy skipping more than one meal, or acting sluggish alongside reduced eating, needs prompt attention.

Adding a small amount of warm water to dry kibble and letting it sit for five to ten minutes softens the texture considerably, which can make eating more comfortable for a puppy with sore gums without needing to switch to an entirely different food. This simple adjustment during a known teething window, roughly four to seven months old, often restores normal eating within a couple of days once the immediate discomfort passes, and the food can return to its usual dry texture once the teething phase has settled. Offering appropriate soft chew toys during this window also gives sore gums a gentler outlet than hard kibble alone, which many teething puppies find genuinely soothing on sore, tender gums during this short, uncomfortable stage of development.