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My Dog Won’t Eat: Feeding Picky Eaters
My dog is a fussy eater. What can I do?
Palatability (tastiness) is a major consideration when making pet food, and many foods undergo palatability testing before they are sold. Even so, some dogs can still be picky, and it can be challenging to find a food a picky pet will eat consistently. There are a few things to consider if your dog is picky.
Is there an underlying medical condition?
Before your dog is deemed “picky” for their attitude towards food, an important first step is ruling out an underlying medical cause, with the help of your veterinary care team. Examples of medical conditions that may impact your dog’s appetite include:
A thorough exam, along with diagnostics such as bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal exam, and dental X-rays, can rule out these potential underlying causes, as well as several others.
Though not always the case, it is common for picky dogs to also be slightly (or more than slightly) overweight. In these cases, it could be possible that the dog is being overfed and therefore not eating as much because he is full. Your veterinary care team can help you determine your dog’s calorie needs per day based on weight, body condition, life stage and activity level, and then can instruct you on an appropriate daily food portion depending on the energy (calorie) content of the diet.
If you are not sure of how many calories your dog is currently consuming, you could keep a food diary for 3 to 5 days and record everything that goes into your dog’s mouth, including treats, snacks and any foods for medications. Your veterinary care team can then assess your dog’s calorie intake based on this information.
You may have inadvertently created a picky eater by taking advantage of the huge variety of dog foods. There are different kibble flavors and sizes, different textures and flavors of canned foods, pouches of semi-moist food, and freshly packaged meals in the refrigerator section of the grocery or pet store. For some dogs, too much of a good thing (e.g., lots of food variety) is not necessarily a good thing and it can lead to dogs learning to hold out for their favorites.
Maybe your dog really does prefer a particular texture or flavor of food. For these dogs, once you identify what they like, stick with that formulation for consistency.
> "For a dog who is willing to eat dry food, but just not all at once, it is reasonable to measure out the entire day's portion all at once, in the morning, since it will not spoil."For the semi-moist and canned food eaters, offer very small amounts at a time. For a dog who is willing to eat dry food, but just not all at once, it is reasonable to measure out the entire day's portion all at once, in the morning, since it will not spoil (as long as other pets in the home do not have access to this food). Yet another option is to use a preferred canned food formulation as a “top dressing” on dry kibble. Some canned dog food has a gravy component that may help increase the dog's interest in meal time.
While some pets prefer the texture and taste of a homemade diet, there are several limitations to consider.
If your dog truly is a picky eater, with no medical conditions, some of the suggestions below might help encourage your dog’s appetite:
Use toppers or enticements (sparingly). These can be treats or human foods that are high value to your dog and can be added to their regular food to encourage them to eat. Ensure you choose food items that are safe, and that you are sticking to your dog’s daily calorie requirement. Calories from treats and toppers should be no more than 10% of your dog’s total calorie intake.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Last updated on Mar 3, 2025.
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