Best dog food for picky eaters in 2024, according to a vet

Dog food for picky eaters, reviewed

Common reasons why your dog may be picky

There are a number of reasons why your picky pooch may be turning their nose up to their kibble, including:

• They don’t like the flavor or texture of the food
• The food is spoiled
• They don’t like the type of bowl being used

There are also medical issues that can make your dog seem picky, when it may actually be an underlying cause, such as:

• Dental disease. If your pup’s teeth hurt, they’re likely not going to want to crunch on hard kibble.
• Gastrointestinal upset. Just like with people, if a dog has an upset stomach then food may only cause it to hurt more, discouraging your dog from eating.
• Pain. Discomfort or pain can lead to a change in your dog’s behavior, including a lack of appetite, especially in senior dogs.

What ingredients are most enticing to picky doggies?

A dog’s favorite ingredient varies from dog to dog, just like picky humans. Most dogs prefer meat — usually chicken more than other meat proteins, but they might not enjoy it as much if they’re used to eating other meats like salmon, venison, or turkey. Peanut butter and cheese are also popular, but not common diet ingredients. These are mostly found in treats.

Favorite dog food works the same for most picky eaters — some dogs love wet food while others prefer dry food only. Different pet foods use different recipes and your pup may simply prefer one over another.

Should owners try a dog food topper?

As long as your dog isn’t overweight or dealing with diet restrictions — i.e. from diabetes, food allergies, etc. — then food toppers are fine! They can be an enticing way to get your pup more interested in their food. Some are made just to make dry food more palatable while other toppers provide an improvement to their overall nutrition. Make sure to work with your vet to find the right topper for your dog’s needs.

If you change your dog’s food, make sure you do it gradually

When transitioning your dog to a new food, it’s best to do it slowly over a period of about 7–10 days. According to our vet, start with 75% of their old food mixed with 25% of their new food for three days, then mix 50% old with 50% new for approximately three days. After you get to 25% old food and 75% new food for three days, you can move them completely over to the new food.

👉 If your dog still won’t eat their food, it’s time to see the vet.

Tips to get your picky eater to try their food

Limit the number of treats — Avoiding feeding excess treats between mealtimes will help keep them hungry when it’s time to eat. It also helps to not feed them scraps directly from the table — if you want to give them a human treat, it’s best to put it in the bowl with their kibble.

👉 Check out our list of vet-approved healthy dog treats.

Give them a designated mealtime — Put their food down for 30 minutes at a time. If they don’t eat it, pick it up. Eventually, they’ll learn that if they don’t eat, they’ll have to wait until the next mealtime.

Help them feel safe — Put their food bowl in a low-noise room away from distractions.

Add something tasty — Mixing some healthy veggies into their kibble can help encourage your pup to eat. Some options include sweet potatoes, carrots, or green beans.

Consider changing their food — If all else fails, you may need to change their food. Be sure to do this gradually over the span of 7-10 days so you don’t upset their stomachs.

Frequently asked questions about picky dogs

Will a picky dog starve itself?

Dogs can purposely refuse certain foods and even go several meals without eating, but dogs won’t purposely starve themselves to death.

However, it should be noted that dogs don’t get hungry the same way people do — some dogs can go 48 hours or more before they start feeling hungry and finally resort to eating.

What are the best appetite stimulants for dogs?

• Rotisserie chicken. Most dogs love the smell and taste of rotisserie chicken and is a great way to convince them to eat. Remember not to give them the bones or skin and if they’re on a low-fat diet, only feed the white meat portions.
• Mirtazapine. A common drug that is prescribed to dogs who have a decreased appetite, usually due to other conditions that make them feel queasy, such as kidney disease or cancer.
• Entyce (Capromorelin). A prescription appetite stimulant that works by stimulating areas of the brain that are responsible for a dog’s appetite and hunger.
• CBD products. Benefits include a decrease in pain and an increase in appetite. It’s important to note that CBD from hemp is not THC and marijuana is toxic to pets. Ask your veterinarian for CBD product recommendations.

👉 Always check with your vet before adding any new ingredient or supplement into your dog’s diet.