Dog Food For Picky Eaters

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We are all a little picky in one way or another when it comes to food. What may taste good to someone else, may not taste as great to you. Our taste buds are all unique, just like dogs’. That’s why Wholesomes provides a variety of dog foods for picky eaters for every size, age, and breed. Does your dog struggle with being a fussy eater? Read on to learn some tips and how our products may help with this issue.

Unique Dry Kibble Proteins

One reason your dog could be picky is because he or she isn’t interested in what protein is in their dry kibble. A lot of dog foods are made with chicken, and while Wholesomes has several great options with chicken protein, we have plenty of other great protein options as well. Wholesomes offers more unique proteins such as whitefish, lamb, and salmon. These high quality proteins can be found in the Sensitive Skin & Stomach recipes or in our grain inclusive recipes. Having more options such as these may help and add more interest to your dog’s diet. Switching your dog’s food every so often to a food with a different protein source can spike their excitement again to eat. To gradually change your pet’s diet, we recommend a transition over 7 to 10 days:

  • Days 1 & 2 – 25% new food, 75% old food
  • Days 3 & 4 – 50% new food, 50% old food
  • Days 5 & 6 – 75% new food, 25% old food
  • Day 7 – 100% new food

If you’re ever unsure about switching your dog’s food, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Ingredients to Look For

Certain ingredients are also sometimes more enticing to dogs than others. Your dog may seem like they are being picky, but in reality something might just be upsetting their stomach. Whole grains such as brown rice are gentle on your dog’s tummy and digestion, making it more likeable. Our grain inclusive recipes, such as Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach with Salmon Protein, are great for dogs with troublesome skin & coat issues as well as digestive problems. Sweet potato is another ingredient that can help mix things up in your dog’s diet. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins & minerals, are high in fiber, and low in fat. Wholesomes Grain-Free Beef Meal & Potatoes is a great food for picky eaters as it contains sweet potatoes along with a variety of healthy fruits & vegetables.

Need some treat options for your picky eater? Sweet potatoes are baked into every bite of our Wholesomes Rewards oven-baked treats. They come in a variety of flavors, shapes and sizes to fit any dog or puppy’s needs and the crunchy texture helps support a clean mouth and fresh breath. Placing a one or two of these treats into your dog’s dry kibble could lure them into eating more. Just make sure not to feed them too many!

Making Dry Dog Food More Appetizing

There are various ways to keep your dog’s kibble more appetizing. While dry dog kibble should remain the main portion of your dog’s diet, try adding some extra goodies to the kibble for more palatability. For example, adding no-salt-added chicken broth or fish oil to your dog’s dry food will create another level of flavor attraction. When my dog is being picky, I will sprinkle a small portion of shredded cheese on her food. This gets her very excited, making her gobble up the rest of the dry kibble underneath. Dry scrambled eggs are also another option to add as a meal topper. PetHelpful agrees that eggs can also be a great food to feed your dog when they have an upset stomach. According to Superb Dog, adding warm water to your pet’s dry dog food will also create a natural flavor of broth and similar consistency making it more appealing.

Proper storage of your dog’s dry kibble is also another way to keep it appealing. Once opened, any food can begin to go stale and become less enjoyable for your pet. We recommend that you purchase the bag size your dog will consume within about 4-6 weeks. Properly seal the food between feedings to reduce exposure. If your pet can’t eat an entire bag of food within the 4-6 weeks, we suggest repackaging the food into smaller well-sealed bags or containers and freezing it until it’s needed (just make sure to defrost it first!).

Underlying Issues

If you’re still having issues trying to feed your dog their regular kibble or didn’t have any luck with a switch in ingredients, you might want to look further into the situation. Assess your pup’s eating habits thoroughly. If your dog gets excited to eat table scraps more than his dog food, try slowly cutting back on this habit. Dogs love human food, but not all human food is healthy for dogs. This is something to be cautious of when feeding from our forks. Another reason that your dog may be picky is because of an underlying medical issue. If your dog is acting unusual and begins to form picky eating habits, make sure to schedule a visit with your veterinarian to rule out any health issues.


Trying unique protein options, finding proper ingredients, addressing any underlying issues, ensuring dog food is fresh & properly stored, and adding various meal-enticing options to your pet’s dog food are all great ways to get your fussy eater back on track to eating their meal regularly. As a pet owner, it’s important to stay consistent and not get frustrated when your dog won’t eat. With these tips, we hope you’ve found a way for your dog to eat their delicious food!