Enhance Your Picky Eater's Mealtime With Raw Dog Food

Do you frequently stress about your thoughts that “My dog is a picky eater; what can I feed my picky dog?” If you’re wondering how to feed a finicky dog, you’ve come to the right place! We have all the answers you’re looking for, including the best food for picky dogs. 

Keep reading for more information on what makes dogs fussy eaters, how to get picky pups to eat, and much more.

“Help! My Dog Won't Eat Dog Food!”

One of the most frustrating experiences you can have as a pet owner is watching your pup turn up their nose at mealtime. Your dog needs to eat well to thrive, so what can you do when your pooch gives their food the cold shoulder?

Overview of Picky Eating in Dogs

There are lots of reasons your dog could be a picky eater. It could be something as innocuous as your kids sharing too much of their own food for your dog to want their kibble. Or, it could be something as serious as a health issue, especially if your dog suddenly stops eating their regular food when they previously had a healthy appetite.

Importance of Understanding and Addressing Picky Eating

Since not eating enough can cause malnutrition, and because some health conditions can cause a lack of appetite, it’s crucial to determine what’s causing your dog’s pickiness and address the issue to the best of your abilities. Your dog needs proper nutrition to live their best life, so it’s up to you to become a detective and figure out why your pup won’t eat.

Understanding Picky Eating in Dogs

Some dogs are born finicky, some pups become picky through their ability to manipulate their owners, and other dogs only become picky due to dental or other health problems. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things that can make dogs fussy about their food.

What Makes a Dog a Picky Eater?

While many different factors can contribute to a canine not wanting to eat their food, here are some of the most common causes of picky dogs.

Genetics

While some breeds, like Labs and Pugs, notoriously eat anything and everything, other breeds, like sighthounds, tend to have smaller appetites and higher metabolic rates, keeping them thin.

Too Many Treats or Table Scraps

While the occasional treat is fine, your dog may be neglecting their main meals because they are either already full from treats or because they have learned that if they ignore their “real food,” you will give them additional tasty treats to ensure they actually eat something.

Bad Memories

Has your dog had stomach problems in the past? They may associate their food with an upset stomach, making them hesitant to eat due to the fear of feeling ill again.

No Routine

Dogs LOVE schedules. If your dog never knows when they’ll get their next meal—or if their food is always left out and never goes away—they may be less inspired to eat at mealtime. Try sticking to a schedule and picking up your dog’s bowl if they don’t finish their food within about 20 minutes. Give it to them again at their next meal so they learn to eat at regular mealtimes.

Anxiety

If your dog has separation anxiety and you give them breakfast right before leaving for work every morning, it’s natural that your pup may not want to eat. Likewise, a dog that’s sensitive to sound may not want to eat during a thunderstorm.

Lack of Privacy

You probably don’t enjoy being stared at while you eat, so make sure your dog has a private space to eat that’s out of the way of most of your household’s foot traffic.

They Don’t Like it

You probably don’t like every food you’ve ever eaten, so you can’t expect your dog to love every food, either. Try feeding them something with a different flavor or texture. (Better yet, upgrade them to a raw diet, with delicious, species-appropriate, complete and balanced recipes like We Feed Raw.)

Health or Age

If your dog used to be a good eater but is suddenly picking at their meals (and you haven’t changed their diet recently), they may have dental problems affecting their ability to chew or a lack of appetite due to an underlying health problem.

The Difference Between Picky Eating and Potential Health Problems

If your dog has ALWAYS been a picky eater, there may not be anything to worry about (although it’s never a bad idea for a vet visit to rule out health problems that could be causing the pickiness). 

However, if your formerly food-driven dog suddenly stops eating when nothing about their diet has changed, it’s definitely time for a trip to the vet. Anything from dental problems to potentially serious health issues can cause a lack of appetite, and the source of the problem should be identified and addressed as soon as possible.

Raw Dog Food—An Excellent Alternative

Have you ever considered that your dog doesn’t like kibble because it’s so unnatural? Think about it. For most of their history, dogs ate prey that they caught themselves and table scraps from their owners. Their bodies are still designed to eat raw meat, not highly processed crunchy brown balls made from mystery meat.

Dog Won’t Eat Dry Food? Try Raw

If your dog refuses to eat kibble, try feeding them a species-appropriate raw diet. We Feed Raw makes it easy by sending you pre-proportioned patties (made from approximately 80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat, and 10% finely ground bone, with added vitamins and minerals for a fully balanced diet) and telling you how much to feed your dog. You just thaw and feed.

Raw Dog Food vs. Kibble

What are the differences between raw dog food and kibble? There are lots!

• •Raw dog food is protein-rich and naturally grain-free

• •Kibble contains an average of 60% carbohydrates, which dogs have NO nutritional requirement for

• •Raw dog food is high in moisture, which is great for kidney health

• •Kibble contains such little moisture that dogs must drink a lot of water to prevent chronic dehydration

• •Dogs have a short, simple, highly acidic digestive tract that is specifically designed to digest muscle meat, organ meat, and bone rather than plant matter

How to Get a Picky Dog to Eat

If you’re wondering how to get a dog to eat, we have lots of tips for you!

Transition Strategies

One reason that parents of picky pups hesitate to switch their dogs to a raw diet is because they’re worried about the transition. And while many pups dive right into their delicious new raw diet, some dogs are a little more hesitant about the food since it’s a totally different temperature, texture, and flavor than what they’re used to. If your picky pooch turns up their nose the first time you give them raw, don’t fret! Here are some techniques to interest fussy dogs in a raw diet:

• •Heat it up. Adding hot water or bone broth or lightly searing the meat in a pan can convince many dogs to try raw food. If that works, you can try gradually heating the food less and less until serving it straight from the fridge.

• •Pretend the food is a treat. Acting like the food is a special meal for yourself can convince some dogs that they actually want to try it, just because it looks like it’s supposed to be your food rather than their regular meal.

• •Try a different protein. If your pup doesn’t like the first flavor of We Feed Raw that you give them, don’t give up! We offer 6 different proteins. Maybe your dog isn’t really into the first flavor you offered them but will adore the next one.

• •Feed with confidence. If you’re feeling nervous about feeding your dog a new food, they’ll be suspicious about what you’re giving them. Confidently put down the bowl of new food and walk away. Give your dog about 15-20 minutes to eat without being stared at, then come back and pick up any leftovers to put in the fridge until the next mealtime.

• •Use tough love. Dogs won’t voluntarily starve themselves. If your dog won’t eat their new food, refuse to give them any other food or treats. Put down the new food at every regularly scheduled mealtime, and they will eventually eat the food when they realize that nothing “better” is coming.

• •Add toppers. Sometimes mixing in a topper can entice picky pups to try new foods. Keep reading for our favorite toppers.

What to Put on Dog Food for Picky Eaters

When you just HAVE to get your dog to eat, mixing one or more “toppers” with their food can convince them to finally try it so you don’t need to waste it. Here are some of our favorite meal toppers:

• •Warm low-sodium bone broth

• •Parmesan cheese

• •Goat milk

• •Yogurt

• •Kefir

• •Raw eggs

• •Pumpkin puree

• •Garlic powder (garlic is safe in small amounts)

• •Fruit (except grapes or raisins, which are toxic for dogs)

• •Vegetables (preferably cooked, so they’re easier for your dog to digest)

• •Gussy's Gut

• •Canned or dehydrated fish (like sardines in water)

• •Their current food

• •Treats you know they like

Tips for Feeding a Picky Eater Dog

Can’t get your picky dog to eat? Here are some quick tips.

See Your Veterinarian

If your dog has suddenly become picky when they didn’t used to be (and you haven’t recently changed what you feed them), your first task is to take them to the vet to rule out any health conditions that may be causing the change in eating habits.

Warm it Up

Sometimes, a dog may not like the temperature of their food, especially if you’re trying to introduce them to a raw diet. Adding hot water or bone broth works for either kibble or raw food. If you choose We Feed Raw, you can lightly sear the outside of the patty to warm up the food and release enticing aromas.

Pick Up Food Between Meals

Rather than leaving your dog’s kibble down all day, try picking it up after 15 minutes and offering it again at the next mealtime. Knowing that their food may not be there later can encourage dogs to eat when they DO have food available.

Add Some Variety

Would YOU want to eat the same thing every day? Changing the flavors from time to time may be enough to convince your pup to keep eating.

Make it a Game

Sometimes dogs enjoy their food more when they have to work for it. Freezing We Feed Raw in a Kong or Toppl, or spreading it on a lick mat, makes your dog have to work for their food, which may pique their interest versus letting them eat out of a bowl.

Skip the Table Scraps

If you like to give your dog some of the food off your plate, you could be giving them so much of your own food that they aren’t hungry for their own food. Or, alternatively, your dog may realize that if they refuse to eat their own food, they’ll get something tastier later when you share your food.

Cut Back on Treats

Similarly, if you give your pup a lot of treats throughout the day, your dog may not be hungry for their regular food or may shun their meals in favor of treats. Cutting treats out for a while can encourage your dog to eat their meals.

Check the Amount

You may be overfeeding your dog. If you can’t see your dog’s ribs, then they aren’t underweight, and the fact that they aren’t finishing their meals is a result of you giving them more food than they need.

Mix in a Topper

Adding in a little bit of something tasty to a food your dog is less excited about can get them to eat all of it. If you can’t afford a fully raw diet, We Feed Raw can be used as a tasty topper to make your dog’s kibble much more appealing.

Add More Exercise

If your dog is a bit of a couch potato, it could be that they just don’t work up enough of an appetite to be hungry at mealtime. Try taking your dog for a long walk before mealtime to see if that stokes their hunger.

Try a Different, Raised, (or No) Bowl

Maybe your dog doesn’t like their bowl. You can try a bowl made from another material, a puzzle bowl, a slow feeder bowl, or just throw their food on the floor to see if that makes it more appetizing to your pup. 

In the same vein, senior dogs may have a hard time eating out of their bowl if it’s on the floor. Raised feeders can help arthritic dogs eat more comfortably.

Pretend to Eat Their Food

If your dog always wants to eat what you have, pretending to eat their food yourself may make it seem much more appealing to your dog.

Try a New Food

It could be that your dog just doesn’t like the food you’re feeding them. Try something different to see if your pup likes it better. (Hint: Most dogs LOVE We Feed Raw!)

Dog Won't Eat Kibble? Switch to Raw

If you’ve been wondering what to feed a picky dog, We Feed Raw is an excellent choice. Species-appropriate, moist, and meat-rich, most dogs love the taste of our food! Whether you feed it alone or mix it with your dog’s current food, We Feed Raw can add both taste and amazing health benefits to your pup’s bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Is My Dog a Picky Eater?

There are many reasons dogs are picky eaters, including medical problems, behavioral issues, anxiety, and food preferences. Dogs who are picky eaters often prefer a species-appropriate raw diet.

How Can I Stimulate My Dog’s Appetite?

There are many things you can do to stimulate your dog’s appetite, like warming up the food, adding a tasty topper, giving your dog plenty of exercise, and switching to a delicious raw diet like We Feed Raw.

Are Some Breeds of Dogs More Picky Eaters Than Others?

Yes. While some dog breeds, like Labrador Retrievers, are known for being highly food-motivated, other dogs, like Yorkies, Shih Tzus, and other toy breeds, are known for being picky eaters.

Can I Give Human Food to My Picky Dog?

Your picky dog needs to eat a properly balanced diet, and that can be tricky to do if you give them too much “human food.” Instead, try nutritionally complete and balanced We Feed Raw. It’s delicious and includes all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to thrive.

What Is the Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters?

The best dog food for picky dogs is a species-appropriate raw dog food like We Feed Raw. Since it’s minimally processed and resembles what dogs eat in the wild, many dogs prefer it over highly processed kibble.

Is it Unhealthy for a Dog to Be a Picky Eater?

If your dog is a healthy weight, it may not be unhealthy for them to be picky. However, if your dog is underweight or suffering from malnutrition, you must ensure they are eating a proper amount of nutritionally balanced food.

What if My Dog Won’t Eat Dry Food or Kibble?

If your dog won’t eat dry food, adding even some raw food can help entice your dog to lick the whole bowl clean. It’s moist and delicious and can be fed by itself or as a topper for other types of dog food.

How Can I Make My Dog’s Food More Appealing?

Adding toppers, especially a delicious, fully balanced raw food like We Feed Raw, can make any food more appealing to picky eaters.

Can Raw Dog Food Help With My Dog’s Picky Eating Habits?

While raw dog food isn’t the solution for EVERY picky dog’s eating habits, most finicky pups truly adore We Feed Raw and happily gobble it up like it’s the best food they ever tasted.

How to Transition My Picky Dog to New Food?

It’s typically best to transition picky dogs to a new food gradually by mixing a little bit of the new food in with their old food. However, some picky dogs will only eat the new food and refuse the old food, or vice versa.