How to Help Your Picky Dog Eat Well and Get the Nutrients They Need

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One common misconception about dogs and food is that they’ll eat whatever is available to them. Garbage. Feces. A sock. Anything. While there are dogs who would gladly scarf down all of the above if given the opportunity, some are picky eaters.

This can make mealtimes stressful, since owners may worry about whether their dogs are getting proper nutrition. All the good things in a complete and balanced dog food don’t matter if a dog won’t eat it.

Luckily, there are many things owners can do for their picky eaters. 

Fresh Food Can Help

Switching to a fresh-food plan from The Farmer’s Dog can help dogs that are picky eaters. The Farmer’s Dog has conducted palatability studies in which its food is clinically shown to be highly palatable — meaning that dogs like it.

In one study, dogs chose The Farmer’s Dog over a leading kibble brand 86.4 percent of the time. A fresh diet also helps with digestion and weight management, so it can ease owners’ minds in more ways than one.

Just transitioning to a more palatable fresh diet can resolve picky eating for some dogs, but others may take longer to reach their full chowhound potential. Be patient, and implement some of the best practices below.

Strategies for Improving Picky Eating

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Schedule Your Dog’s Mealtimes

No matter how many times a day your dog eats, it’s important to implement a regular feeding schedule. If your dog’s food sits out throughout the day, it can send mixed signals about food availability and create indifference to mealtime.

Scheduled meals are a good habit for other reasons, too. When a dog is eating a standard amount of food at regular intervals, pet owners can quickly identify changes in eating patterns. This can help identify problems, including underlying health concerns that require veterinary attention.

Regular mealtimes are also better for food safety, because scheduled meals prevent prolonged exposure of fresh food to room temperature. Follow the 30-minute rule: Any food that remains uneaten after 30 minutes can go in the refrigerator until the next scheduled feeding. After food—especially fresh food—has been at room temperature for 30 minutes during a second attempt, dispose of any remnants.

Limit Treats and Table Scraps

In addition to contributing to picky eating, overfeeding your dog can cause serious health issues. It’s best to feed your dog a food formulated by board-certified nutritionists, and give them the proper portions to maintain a healthy body condition.

Dogs maintaining lean body condition can live up to 2.5 years longer than their overweight counterparts—and pre-portioned fresh food eliminates guesswork when it comes to feeding a dog.

Dogs who eat too many extras may feel full before consuming their complete and balanced food. Giving your dog too many treats, for example, can fill them up before their meal is even served. Treats are great for training and bonding, but veterinary guidelines recommend limiting all extras to ten percent of a dog’s total caloric intake. This helps maintain nutritional balance and healthy body weight. Excessive snacking between meals reduces a dog’s appetite during scheduled feeding times.

Use appropriate training treats in moderation, but keep the focus on making sure your dog eats the complete and balanced food they need for good health.

Provide a Comfortable, Consistent Place to Eat

Dogs can benefit from quiet, comfortable, distraction-free feeding areas. Loud noises, active children, or other disruptions near food bowls can interrupt meals and create negative associations with feeding time.

Consistency matters. Feeding dogs in the same location daily helps establish a routine that promotes relaxed eating. This can help anxious or easily distracted dogs focus on their meals.

Dog Bowl Hygiene Is Important

A bowl’s cleanliness can directly affect food’s appeal—particularly because dogs have such powerful noses. Most pet owners fail to wash food bowls after each use, allowing bacterial growth and inviting odors that can discourage eating. Treat your dog’s food bowl the way you would any dish for your human family. Food bowls should be washed after every meal, while water bowls require daily cleaning.

How to Make Food More Appealing to Your Dog

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Warm It Up

Warming food slightly—never heat until hot!—can increase appeal for hesitant eaters. Adding warm water and fluffing fresh food with a fork releases enticing aromas that can stimulate the appetite.

But don’t microwave fresh food—that risks reducing its nutritional content.

Keep Recipes Interesting

Dogs can appreciate variety in food, just as humans do. Some dogs develop preferences for specific proteins or flavors. Rotating between different recipes or trying alternative options can reignite interest at mealtime and help identify flavors your dog really loves.

Patience Is Key

Diet transitions are adjustment periods. Many dogs who are initially hesitant about fresh food can become enthusiastic eaters within days or weeks. Sticking with it, and trying the strategies above, can help a dog enjoy their meals to the fullest.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

If your dog who normally eats well suddenly refuses food, appears lethargic, or seems unwell, call your veterinarian. You should also call a vet any time your dog refuses food for more than twenty-four hours and you don’t know why. Sudden appetite loss can indicate serious medical conditions requiring prompt treatment.

Sometimes serious medical issues can affect eating in unexpected ways. Arthritis might make it difficult for dogs to reach their bowls comfortably, for example. Your veterinarian can help work through feeding adjustments or other accommodations.

When medical causes have been ruled out and standard strategies prove ineffective, the customer care team at The Farmer’s Dog can provide additional guidance and personalized solutions. Just reach out.