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:

• Dental disease. This condition can be painful and lead to a dog not wanting to eat. Dental disease can occur below the gums, which is not visible to our eyes. Even if your dog’s teeth look healthy, an oral exam is a good idea.
• Kidney disease. Elevations in kidney values, such as urea, can make your dog feel unwell and affect their appetite.
• A foreign body or other GI upset. If your dog ate something they shouldn’t have, it could be blocking movement of food through the intestines.
• Arthritis. If your dog is a senior and is experiencing pain from arthritis, it may be too uncomfortable to get up to the food dish as often.

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.

Is your dog getting too many calories?

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.

Is it behavioral?

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.

Does your dog have specific preferences?

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.

Should I feed my picky dog a homemade diet?

While some pets prefer the texture and taste of a homemade diet, there are several limitations to consider.

• An appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement must be included with homemade diets. It is impossible to meet your dog’s nutrient requirements with human foods alone.
• To make a homemade diet properly, you must follow a recipe with specific amounts of each ingredient, including the supplement(s). Each food item has a unique nutrient profile, so ingredients cannot be substituted. If you worry your dog will not eat the exact same recipe each day, a homemade diet may not be the right choice.
• Most recipes for homemade dog diets found online are not designed by nutritionists or veterinarians.  These recipes have been found to be deficient in one or more essential nutrients. If you choose to feed your dog a homemade diet, you should ask your veterinarian for guidance and/or ask to be referred to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Are there any tips for managing picky eaters?

If your dog truly is a picky eater, with no medical conditions, some of the suggestions below might help encourage your dog’s appetite:

• Let your dog skip the occasional meal. Not all dogs are food motivated, and it is okay for healthy dogs to miss a meal occasionally. If they are in good health, maintaining a healthy body weight, having normal stools, and showing good energy, it is okay if they don’t eat every meal. They might even have a better appetite if they are hungry.
• Offer food at specific times during the day and leave food out only for short intervals, rather than providing free access to food. Limited access can train your dog that food is only available at certain times and might encourage them to eat better.
• Know your dog’s estimated daily calorie requirement and the exact food portion you should offer each day.
• Avoid high-calorie treats and snacks.
• Try feeding your dog from a food puzzle or other interactive feeder. This method can provide mental stimulation and make meal time more fun.
• Exercise with your dog more and offer food after activity. Dogs are typically hungrier after exercise, so you may be more successful getting your dog to eat breakfast after a walk.

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.