We all know that some dogs are pickier than others. And these finicky eaters will usually boycott any meal that isn’t to their ‘exact specifications.’ For dog parents with fussy eaters, it can be pretty challenging to find a food that your pet will eat but that you can feel good about too.
Why does this happen? Well, just like humans, pups can have different likes and dislikes. Sometimes, if your dog has perhaps too many table scraps, there will just hold out on eating anything like dry food until the ‘good stuff’ comes out again.
Luckily, there is a lot of food products created especially for picky eaters and we’re going to talk about the best of them. These foods focus on correcting the dogs’ fussy eating habits and offering them delicious meal options that even the pickiest eaters will fall in love with.
But before we start, we have to mention that if your pup stops eating, a trip to the vet is mandatory. Have everything checked out, rule out any potential medical problems, and make sure that your dog’s in good health.
Contents
- Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters
- 1. Purina Beneful Grain-Free with Real Farm-Raised Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food
- 2. Prairie Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food – Salmon & Brown Rice
- 3. Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend Formula Adult Dry Dog Food – Shredded Blend Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
- 4. Fromm Four Star Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Game Bird Recipe
- 5. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe
- 6. The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Grain-Free Dog Food – Cage-Free Turkey
- 7. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food
- 8. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food
- Tips and Tricks for Dog Parents with Picky Eaters
Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters
Even the pickiest of dogs seem to enjoy the benefits of these special dog foods. The following list comprises the finest food products designed for fussy eaters. There are several options you can choose from, so we’ve talked about each item’s characteristics. This way, it will be easier for you to decide which formula would best suit your friend’s needs.
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Purina Beneful Grain-Free with Real Farm-Raised Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food
- 4.5 Lb. Bag - Purina Beneful Grain-Free With Real Farm-Raised Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food
- Grain-Free Formula Provides Abundant Nutrition Without Sacrificing Taste
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This one is an amazing choice for adult picky dogs. With farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient on the list, Purina Beneful Grain-Free with Real Farm-Raised Chicken Adult Dry Dog Food also features accents of spinach, blueberries, and pumpkin. This is a gluten-free formula that offers a balanced, complete nutrition day after day. There’s absolutely no sugar, gluten, corn, fillers, or wheat in this food.
This thoughtful recipe is meant to satisfy even the fussiest dog’s taste buds while providing all the necessary nutrients for an optimal overall health. This premium product has a crunchy, yummy texture that your furry friend won’t resist. Not to mention the 23 key vitamins and minerals each serving contains; thus, your pup will enjoy a strong immune system all year round.
The guaranteed analysis looks like this: minimum 24% of crude protein, minimum 13% of fat, up to 5% of crude fiber, up to 12% of moisture, minimum 1.2% of linoleic acid, minimum 1% of calcium, minimum 10,000 IU/kg of vitamin A and minimum 100 IU/kg of vitamin E.
2. Prairie Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food – Salmon & Brown Rice
- Prairie Has A New Look: Nature'S Variety Prairie Is Now Called Instinct Be Natural.
- Same Great Recipe: Prairie Recipes Are The Same As Instinct Be Natural.
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Featuring wild-caught salmon as the first ingredient, Prairie Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food’s recipe has a yummy taste that your picky eater won’t resist. The high-quality protein source supports your pup’s strong, lean muscles and provides optimal energy levels throughout the day. The whole, hearty grains are awesome for the pet’s digestive health while the real veggies and fruits, together with the omega fatty acids, help your friend’s skin and coat be and look healthy. Each and every kibble piece is nicely tumbled with freeze-dried raw, ensuring a tasty savor and a complete, balanced nutrition. There is no by-product meal, fillers, wheat, corn, artificial preservatives, or colors added to this food.
The guaranteed analysis looks like this: minimum 25% of crude protein, minimum 14% of crude fat, up to 5.5% of crude fiber, up to 10% of moisture, minimum 100 IU/kg of vitamin E, minimum 1% of omega-3 fatty acids, and minimum 1.6% of omega 6 fatty acids.
3. Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend Formula Adult Dry Dog Food – Shredded Blend Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
- 35 Lb. Bag - Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
- Made With High-Quality Protein, Including Real Chicken As The First Ingredient
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Purina’s formula will please your finicky pup’s taste buds right from the first bite and make him excited about mealtime. This recipe is made with top-notch protein, including natural, real chicken as the top ingredient. The rice is an easily digestible carbs source which will help fuel great energy all day long. The natural, high-quality prebiotic fiber is carefully sourced from wheat bran and promotes an optimal digestive health.
Another excellent thing about this product is its texture. The crunchy kibble blended with the tender meaty shredded pieces offer an exceptional taste that your dog will immediately fall in love with. The recipe is specially tailored for an ideal protein-to-fat ratio in order to support your pet maintain a healthy body condition. Plus, the omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin A, and linoleic acid promote a flawless, beautiful skin and coat.
Here’s the guaranteed analysis: minimum 26% of crude protein, minimum 16% of crude fat, up to 3% of crude fiber, up to 12% of moisture, minimum 1.4% of linoleic acid, minimum 1% of calcium, minimum 0.8% of phosphorous, minimum 0.30 mg/kg of selenium, minimum 15,000 IU/kg of vitamin A, minimum 460 IU/kg of vitamin E, minimum 70 mg/kg of ascorbic acid, and minimum 400 ppm of glucosamine.
4. Fromm Four Star Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Game Bird Recipe
- Dog Food, Dry Dog Food, Four Star, Fromm, Game Bird, Grain Free
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fromm Four-Star Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Game Bird Recipe has a delicious taste that’ll keep your dog engaged with every bite. Including multiple protein sources, this recipe features a fresh, wild flavor and encourages an optimal nutrient absorption. The added blueberries are super high in antioxidants and fight against free radicals found in cells in order to slow down the aging process. The formula has no grains, which is great news especially for pet parents with food allergies and intolerances. The chicken cartilage helps improve joint health; the taurine promotes heart and eyes development, while the chicory root reduces the risk of worms. Also, the extract of Yucca Schidigera reduces the odor in the stool. The product is made only with ingredients that are delivered fresh daily and inspected by the USDA.
5. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe
- U.S. farm-raised chicken is the #1 ingredient
- Natural prebiotics help support healthy digestion
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe features natural, simple ingredients and farm-raised US real chicken is the first ingredient on the list. Besides that, the formula is made with wholesome veggies as well as added chelated minerals and vitamins. For a healthy digestive system, the recipe has natural prebiotics. Also, there are no fillers, poultry by-product meal, wheat, gluten, or artificial preservatives or flavors in this product. The real chicken promotes lean, strong muscles and healthy organs. The peas ensure a smooth, easy digestion and are a good source of dietary fiber, essential minerals, and vitamins. The carrots also support digestive health and strengthen the immune system thanks to their key minerals, vitamins, and carotenoids. The brown rice is a wonderful source of carbs, rich in wholesome fiber and B vitamins.
6. The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Grain-Free Dog Food – Cage-Free Turkey
- GRAIN FREE: This healthy dog food is made with cage free turkey and dehydrated for easier digestibility and to lock in nutrients.
- HIGHER PROTEIN: More calories and less carbs in every batch make it the perfect meal for active puppies and adults of all breeds and sizes.
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This grain-free formula is another excellent choice for pet parents with picky eating dogs. The cage-free turkey will spoil your pup’s taste buds; plus, the fact that is dehydrated makes it easily digestible and able to lock in all the essential nutrients. This yummy recipe has more calories while being low in carbs, which makes it ideal for active dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. Everything in this formula is high-quality: the ingredients always meet the FDA‘s rigorous safety standards in order to use the ‘human grade’ label. There are no preservatives, by-products, or GMO added to the product. Before serving the food, all you need to do is add a little warm water to it, wait for about three minutes and watch your pup devour his meal.
7. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food
- Contains 12 - 13-Ounce Cans Of Dog Food
- Helps Minimize The Number Of Ingredients Dogs Are Exposed To
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We all know that dogs (and especially picky ones) love their moist meals. While wet food shouldn’t be a ‘daily basis’ thing, you can definitely rely on it from time to time. And, in order to increase the chances that your pup actually eats his food, you have to choose something simple, tasty, and nutritious. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food is one of the top wet dog product options on the market. It has limited ingredients, which helps enhance the taste of each and every high-quality component used in the recipe. Not to mention that this also makes it excellent for pets with food allergies or intolerances.
This formula is a grain-free, premium energy source that offers a balanced, complete nutrition for dogs of all ages. It helps digestive health and promotes a shiny coat and flawless skin. And, for your friend’s health and your peace of mind, there are no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors added to it.
8. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food
- A taste of the wild with SMOKED SALMON; REAL SALMON is the #1 ingredient; optimal amino acid profile, PROTEIN rich for LEAN, STRONG MUSCLES
- Premium ingredients with added vitamins & minerals; fruits and vegetables as SUPERFOODS for hard-working ANTIOXIDANTS; fatty acid blend for SKIN & COAT
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last, but certainly not least, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food is made with real, high-quality meat. The formula is rich in protein and has an optimal amino acid profile for strong, lean muscles. It also features added minerals and vitamins for an enhanced overall health. The veggies and fruits offer natural antioxidants while the fatty acid blend promotes great skin and coat. This recipe is highly digestible and nutrient-rich, with species-specific guaranteed proprietary probiotics for smooth digestion. There’s no wheat, corn, fillers, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors added to this product.
Tips and Tricks for Dog Parents with Picky Eaters
Even if we put a lot of effort into keeping our dogs away from unappetizing food and encourage healthy feeding habits, your pup may still occasionally be uninterested about the food your offer. Fortunately, there are several tips and tricks you can try.
Sprinkle something tasty over the dog’s kibble. Picky dogs might find any kind of common fat tempting, so drizzle a bit over their food. Don’t go for stuff that’s made from problematic, toxic substances. Instead, oils derived from veggies, olives, safflowers, sunflower seeds, or peanuts can do the trick. One important thing is to avoid is walnut oil. If possible, use some anchovy oil, salmon, or flaxseed, as they’re rich in omega fatty acids.
Mix the dog’s kibble with some wet food. Although you want to stick to a diet that’s kibble-based (better for the pup’s teeth, affordable, and generally better health-wise), we all know that dogs love semi-moist or canned foods. In case of a picky eater, you can add a tad of wet food to the dog’s kibble; the blend usually works as an effective taste-bud-tempter. Oh, and in order to keep that canned food appetizing and fresh for a long time, you can purchase some can toppers.
Sprinkle some water over the kibble. This is another option to moisten your pup’s food a tiny bit. You can also use chicken broth, but make sure it’s low sodium. If you want to enhance the meal’s aroma, heat it up just a tad and let those odiferous molecules be carried through the air.
Warm up the food a little bit. Slightly warm food can coax a picky dog into their eating. Pop their meal in the microwave for about 30 seconds and be careful to use a dish that’s microwave-safe. Also, make sure that the food doesn’t end up being way too hot.
Don’t feed your furry friend human food or table scraps. Constantly offering your pup yummy people food bits is one of the reasons why dogs decide that their kibble isn’t good enough anymore. Therefore, they start refusing their own proper food while waiting for the delicious human dishes.
Avoid free-feeding. Even though free-feeding your dog can lead to overeating, sometimes it can have the exact opposite effect. Dogs having their food freely available all the time can lose interest in their meals. Try to feed your friend a few (two-three) times a day and stick to a consistent schedule.
Let your pup get a bit hungry. No, we’re not talking about staving your dog – that’s completely off the table. But maybe taking him out for a lengthier-than-usual walk will enhance his appetite—or even serving his meal a couple of hours later than usual.
As you can see, you have plenty of food alternatives for your adorable picky four-footer. Also, the tips and tricks we’ve shared in this article will help your furry friend enjoy their meals.
I grew up in a household that was filled with animals. I believe that my fate as a dog-loving person was sealed in early childhood since my parents owned several dogs of varying sizes and breeds. There was no choice but to take care of and learn about dog habits and the best animal care practices — otherwise, I’d be clueless about how to go about the creatures I was surrounded by day and night.
As a life-long puppy lover, I know a thing or two about dogs and how to go about caring for them in the best way possible. Although I’m not a professionally trained dog behaviorist, trainer, or veterinarian, all of my knowledge and experience with canines comes from a place of love and a deep-rooted passion for dogs and animals in general.
Seeing as dogs kept me company throughout every stage of my life, I decided to follow a different path in my academic life and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing Management and Digital Advertising, which ultimately allowed me to combine my professional training and personal experience by creating the ultimate dog lover’s resource website! Along with my husband, Dave, I run MySweetPuppy for like-minded dog lovers who want to have a single, clear, and reliable information source about anything and everything related to dogs and their well-being.
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