Is your dog a picky eater? While some dogs are happy to eat almost anything, some dogs are a bit pickier. It doesn’t mean that they don’t eat; they just are particular about their food. If this is the case with your dog, you might be frustrated with trying to find foods that your dog will eat. Here’s why your dog might be picky about their food and what to do if your dog is a picky eater:

Why Your Dog Is a Picky Eater

It’s a common dog myth that dogs will eat anything. While some dogs are happy with almost anything, other dogs have specific tastes they prefer and others they simply do not like. Sometimes, your dog’s genetics can affect what foods they prefer. A dog’s metabolism may also determine how much interest they have in food and what foods they like.

However, before you write your dog off just as a picky eater, you should rule out whether anything is affecting their eating habits. There may be a few reasons behind the question of “why won’t my dog eat?” such as some underlying health conditions like anxiety or dental disease that might cause your dog to turn their nose up at certain foods. Schedule an appointment with your vet if you notice your dog struggling to eat their food. If health conditions have been ruled out, your dog may just have specific tastes.

What to Do If Your Dog Is a Picky Eater

If you’ve ruled out any health conditions that might be causing your dog to not want to eat or avoid certain foods, there are some ways to help a picky eater want to eat. Here’s what to do if your dog is a picky eater:

1. Add a food topper.
2. Warm it up.
3. Try to figure out what your dog likes.
4. Set specific mealtimes and stick to them.
5. Limit treats throughout the day.
6. Make mealtime fun.
7. Create a safe space for your dog.

1. Add a Food Topper

Sometimes your dog might not be interested in eating their food if they don’t think it has enough flavor or has a boring texture. Try adding a food topper to make their food a little bit more exciting. Try adding broth or stock to your dog’s kibble. Make sure it’s sodium-free so you don’t give your dog too much salt.

You can also try adding some canned pumpkin as a topper. Not only is pumpkin one of the best fruits and veggies for dogs, but it also adds extra fiber to your dog’s diet! Plus, most dogs enjoy the taste of pumpkin. Make sure that it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling! A lot of pumpkin pie filling contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs, so it’s best to check ingredients and stick to pumpkin puree.

Other popular food toppers include fish oil, vegetables like cucumber or spinach, and even a little bit of canned dog food. These things can all add some extra flavor or texture, hopefully persuading your dog to eat all of their dinner!

2. Warm It Up

If your dog seems to be bored with their food, you might want to try slightly warming it up in the microwave. Warming up your dog’s food may help make it smell stronger, enticing your dog to eat it. It can also change the texture, making it softer and easier to chew. If your dog eats dry kibble, add a little bit of water before you warm it up.

3. Try to Figure Out What Your Dog Likes

Much like people, some dogs just have certain foods or textures that they prefer over others. If your dog doesn’t seem that excited about the choices you give them, try switching up the textures or the flavors of their food. Take note of what excites your dog and continue to hone in on their choices. You might find that they prefer beef flavors over fish flavors or prefer dry kibble to canned food.

If you want to put in extra time and effort, you may consider making homemade dog food. If you do decide to go this route, make sure you talk to your veterinarian to make sure you’re including all the necessary nutrients a dog needs. Some dogs prefer homemade food because it has more texture and variety than commercial dog food.

You may also consider putting your dog on a raw dog food diet. While a raw diet isn’t for every dog, it may be something to consider if your dog is more interested in raw foods rather than other forms of their food.

4. Set Specific Mealtimes and Stick to Them

Dogs tend to function best when they have a well-established routine. One of the ways you might be annoying your dog is by not keeping them on a consistent routine. Making sure you have set eating times can help your dog’s body regulate itself to anticipate being hungry at specific times.

Try putting your dog food out for a specific 10 or 15-minute mealtime. If your dog doesn’t eat their food during that time, remove the food bowl and wait until the next mealtime to give them food. This way, your dog learns that the designated mealtime is the only time to eat.

5. Limit Treats Throughout the Day

If your dog is filling up on treats throughout the day, they might simply be too full or not hungry enough to eat their dinner. If your dog is showing little to no interest in their normal kibble, start limiting the amount of treats they get throughout the day. If you’re in the middle of training, try using training treats, which are smaller and not as filling.

You should also stop giving your dogs treats about an hour before mealtimes. Because dogs tend to prefer treats over their actual dinner, too many treats can spoil their appetite, which might be causing them to appear picky.

6. Make Mealtime Fun

Your dog might be bored with the same old mealtime routine. Your dog’s ancestors had to work for their food, so some breeds might want to work for their dinner. There are a few ways you can add some fun to their dinner.

If your dog likes to perform tricks, have them perform some before dinner. Some fun ones include dance, roll over, or play dead. You could even just go over some of the basic commands every dog should know.

You could also use a food puzzle toy or a slow feeder for your dog’s dinner time routine. This makes getting their food more challenging and exciting, so getting the food at the end feels like a reward. This can also help get your dog re-interested in their food. Slow feeders and puzzle toys are also a great way to stop a dog from eating too fast.

7. Create a Safe Space for Your Dog

If your dog is uncomfortable, they may not want to eat dinner. Try to pay extra attention to your dog’s body language to see if they seem uncomfortable or anxious when you give them their food.

An uncomfortable dog probably will avoid eye contact or have their tail tucked between their legs. They may also lick their lips frequently. If you think they’re uncomfortable, it’s important to try to figure out why they are scared. There might be a noise outside that frightens them, or they might be scared by other pets during dinner time.

To help your dog feel comfortable while they eat, set up a specific food area just for them. Setting up a feeding station for your dog doesn’t have to be complex or complicated; it can simply be designating an area for them to feel comfortable and secure while they eat.

This is especially helpful if you have other pets or small children that might be bothering them during mealtime. Leave your dog alone while they eat so they feel completely safe and secure. These are also helpful tips to follow if your dog has resource guarding issues that you are working on.

This is just an overview of what to do if your dog is a picky eater. If you’ve ruled out any health changes or underlying causes, your dog might just have specific tastes, and that’s okay! Try learning what they like and what they don’t like so you can figure out how to keep your dog well-fed and happy!