Proper nutrition is vital to your dog’s health, well-being, and longevity. But what happens when your pooch turns into a picky eater? If your pup’s pickiness prevents them from getting the nutrients they need to thrive, you may need to switch up their food or use motivational techniques to ensure adequate nutrition.
Understanding why your pet might refuse certain ingredients and what foods are good for picky eaters can help you know how to take care of your dog so they get the vitamins, minerals and macronutrients they need to stay healthy.
Why is My Dog a Picky Eater?
Picky eating in dogs can be influenced by the dog’s age, past feeding experiences, personal preferences or underlying health conditions. Some dogs might refuse food due to its texture, smell or taste. Others might avoid eating and expect to receive table scraps from their owners.
A 2019 study found that food composition affects what foods dogs prefer. For instance, crude fiber and dry matter negatively affected the studied dogs’ food preferences.
Identifying picky eating signs, like leaving food untouched or only eating certain foods, is the first step in addressing picky eating issues. Sudden changes in your dog’s eating habits can also signify potential health problems. Consult a veterinarian to rule out serious health issues before assuming your pet is simply being fussy.
Factors to Consider when Choosing Dog Food for Picky Eaters
Picky eaters are more likely to be drawn to high-quality, easily digestible ingredients that don’t irritate their digestive system. They may also prefer food with appealing textures and flavors, such as wet food or freeze dried options.
Open Farm offers several types of dog food specially designed to tempt the taste buds of picky eaters:
Dog Food Toppers
Dog food toppers are an excellent choice for picky eaters. These delicious foods contain a well-balanced combination of protein, healthy fats and nutrients and can be added to dry kibble to encourage your picky eater to dig in.
Our Freeze Dried Surf & Turf Raw Dog Food Topper features ocean fish and grass-fed beef, offering an enticing blend many dogs find hard to resist. Your picky eater will get the nutrients they need with healthy omega-3s from salmon, vitamin E from beef and fiber, vitamins C, A, and beta-carotene from squash and sweet potatoes.
Our Grass-Fed Beef Dog Food Topper is made from high-quality, lean, grass-fed beef; this topper can make a kibble meal more appealing to your finicky eater. It also has pumpkin, carrots, green beans and spinach to ensure your pup gets vital nutrients with each meal.
Bone Broth
If your dog prefers a more soup-like consistency, try our Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth for Dogs. This broth offers a rich, meaty taste, hydrates your dog’s food, and provides nutrients essential for their health. Depending on your dog’s protein preferences, you can also try our Homestead Turkey Bone Broth or Harvest Chicken Bone Broth.
Grain-Free Dog and Insect-Based Dog Food
Since crude fiber and dry fillers can impact your dog’s desire to eat, try alternative ingredients to encourage your pup to eat. For example, your dog might respond well to a grain-free option like our Pasture-Raised Lamb Dry Dog Food, which contains animal-welfare-certified lamb, chickpeas, cranberries and apples with no fillers or crude fiber.
Another option is insect-based dog food. Our Kind Earth Premium Insect Kibble contains dried black soldier fly larvae, whole brown rice, oats, barley and carrots as a novel source of protein and other nutrients. This may provide a more enjoyable choice if your dog doesn’t like traditional kibble due to allergies or sensitivities.
Tips for Encouraging Picky Eaters to Eat
If your dog is a picky eater, introducing new food should be gradual. Abrupt changes may upset their digestive system or strengthen their refusal.
Gradually introduce new food
To avoid upsetting your dog’s digestive system, introduce the new food gradually over a week or two. Start by mixing about 25 percent of the new food with 75 percent of the current one and increase it gradually each day.
Tasty toppers or treats
Incorporate raw dog food toppers or treats, like our Dehydrated Cod Skins, onto your dog’s meal. This can enhance the taste and entice picky eaters to eat their food.
Puzzle feeders or interactive toys
Make mealtime fun and stimulating using puzzle feeders or interactive toys. This approach encourages eating and provides mental and physical engagement, making the meal more enjoyable for your dog.
Consistent feeding schedule
Establish a consistent feeding schedule for your dog. Regular feeding times can help set expectations and routines, reducing anxiety and promoting a healthier appetite.
Nourishing Picky Eaters with the Perfect Dog Food From Open Farm
At Open Farm, we understand the challenges of feeding picky eaters. That’s why our range of high-quality, nutrient-rich dog foods and toppers have the best ingredients in dog food and are designed to be as tasty as they are nutritious.
With our products, you can find several options for your picky eater. Our sustainable ingredients ensure your dog gets the balanced nutrition they need in a form they love. Browse our range of dog food for picky eaters today and turn mealtime into a feast.
This article is meant only as an example meal with fully balanced nutrition, please reach out to our customer experience team if you have any questions about your pet's own unique circumstances! To ensure these products are a good fit for your pup, we also recommend consulting your pup's vet about any new supplement or diet changes, especially if there is a medical concern. They should be able to help as you and your vet know your pup's medical history best!
