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What Dog Food is Best for Picky Eaters?
- Best Overall Dry Dog Food Formula: Open Farm’s Homestead Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Wholesome grain-free dry dog food is a nutrient-dense source of energy, with a careful blend of humanely raised turkey and chicken - Best Natural Dog Food for Picky Eaters: The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Grain Free Beef
Human-grade, minimally processed, and grain-free recipe made with ranch-raised beef as the first ingredient. - Best Adult Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Raised Right Original Beef Adult Dog Recipe
A specially formulated high-protein formula that is perfect for dogs of all breeds and life stages - Best Dog Food Dust for Picky Eaters: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Marie’s Magical Dinner Dust
A fine blend of high protein and superfoods that tops your dog’s daily meals with healthy goodness. - Best Wet Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Cesar Simply Crafted Wet Dog Food Meal Topper
A wet food topper with multiple protein sources for maximum health benefits and a delicious mealtime experience. - Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Instinct Healthy Cravings Grain-Free Wet Dog Food Topper
A grain, corn, and soy-free formula enriched with premium meat for picky eaters available in an easy-use variety pack. - Best Value for Money Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Toppers Wild Cuts Wet Dog Food
A variety pack of chunky meat toppers that will make your picky eater dog excited for meal times. - Best Semi-Moist Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Dog Food
A blended mixer of crunchy kibble and tender semi-moist chunks of meat that your dogs will love to chew on. - Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Canidae Pure Petite Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Maximum protein content from freeze-dried raw meat boosted with superfoods for the overall health of dogs. - Best Easy-Use Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Blue Buffalo Delights Wet Dog Food
Individual and easy-use cups of savory gravy with tender meat morsels that will excite your dog for mealtimes. - Best Powdered Dog Food for Picky Eaters: Crumps’ Naturals Beef Liver Sprinkles
A one-ingredient powdered dog food topper that coats your dog’s regular kibble or wet food in tasty goodness.
- Ingredients are 100% obsessively sourced and cooked to perfection.
- Dry dog food recipes are nutrient-dense with high meat, low-carb, and packed with flavor.
- Wet dog food is 100% human-grade and made with ethically sourced meat to give dogs the moisture they need.
- Freeze-dried dog food is minimally processed, never cooked, convenient raw, high protein, 85% meat organ and bones,
- Chewable supplements are formulated with 100% traceable ingredients to help support your dog's needs.
- Get 20% off your first auto-ship order with code VET20
How Do I Know If My Dog is a Picky Eater?
A dog can be a picky eater for many reasons, the top being genetics. Certain dog breeds are more likely to be fussy eaters and have delicate palates.
Another reason is the environment. Whether or not your dog eats may be up to the surroundings. Too much traffic and noise, the same as an inadequate food bowl, can affect the dog’s appetite.
To determine whether your dog is a picky eater or not, observe them while they eat – if they don’t finish their bowl of food within 20 minutes, it is a sign of a picky eater dog.
Another sign indicating the same is if your dogs don’t finish their meals but are eager to eat table scraps from human meals. If you notice these two signs, you can conclude that your dog is a picky eater.
How do I Get My Picky Dog to Eat His Food?
There are certain steps that you can try to make your picky eater dog finish their meals:
- Step 1: Set a definite time for your dog’s meals and stick to that particular time every day
- Step 2: Leave the bowl of food out for your dog for no longer than 20 minutes
- Step 3: Take away the bowl of food after the designated time, even if your dog hasn’t finished eating
- Step 4: Avoid giving treats or snacks until the next meal.
Following this daily routine can slowly transition your dog from being a picky eater to finishing their meals in time.
The Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters Reviewed
Choosing food for a fussy eater is a challenging task. To help owners, we have created a list of delicious-tasting dog foods suitable for picky eaters.
Summary: Made with organic and flavorful ingredients, Open Farm’s Homestead Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an excellent kibble option for picky-eating dogs. This wholesome grain-free dry dog food is a nutrient-dense source of energy, thanks to a careful blend of humanely raised turkey and chicken, plus non-GMO fruits, veggies, and superfoods. Get 20% off your first auto-ship order with code VET20.
Type: Dry dog food
Best for: Dogs of all ages and sizes
Flavor Options: Chicken & Turkey
Price: $6.50 per pound (based on a 4lb variant)
Pros
- 20% off your first auto-ship order with code VET20.
- Palatable even for picky eaters
- High in protein and fresh turkey & chicken
- Source of prebiotic fibers to support healthy digestion
- Free from rendered poultry or meat meals
- 100% traceable ingredients
Cons
- No significant cons
Ingredient Analysis: 100% Animal Welfare Certified Turkey, Non-GMO Carrots, Coconut Oil, Non-GMO Pumpkin, Non-GMO Russet Potatoes, Non-GMO Chickpeas, Ocean Whitefish Meal, Green Lentils, Rosemary Extract, Taurine, Cinnamon
Review: Satisfied pet owners on Amazon find this product appealing even to their picky-eating dogs. To quote one client, “My dog immediately liked the taste and bit size kibble. He’s pooping as he should and we are happy about that.”
Summary: The Honest Kitchen Beef Recipe is grain-free dog food made with human-grade foods. The main ingredient, ranch-raised beef, is combined with low-glycemic carbohydrates, and several superfood fruits and vegetables. Then, the ingredients are minimally processed – cold-pressed, roasted, and dehydrated to retain most of the nutrients and natural flavors. The recipe is enriched with live probiotics to ensure healthy digestion. It comes in the form of small, easily chewable, and bite-sized clusters. Customers can also get 30% off on their first orders of $30+ using code VETERINARIANS30.
Type: Dry dog food
Best for: Puppies and adult dogs
Flavor Options: Beef; Chicken; Turkey; Beef & Turkey
Price: $6.99 per pound
Pros
- 30% off on first orders of $30+ using code VETERINARIANS30
- Made with nutrient-dense, human-grade foods
- Ranch-raised beef is the first ingredient
- Rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and probiotics
- Bite-sized and easy-to-chew cluster pieces
- No fillers, rendered meals, and artificial additives
Cons
- No significant cons
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Beef, potatoes, peas, beef liver, lentils, carrots, ground flaxseed, eggs, broccoli, pumpkin, apples, salmon oil, natural beef flavor, coconut oil, kale, chia seed, taurine, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, turmeric, and rosemary extract
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Pet owners are delighted with this Beef Recipe and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. They say their dogs love it, and some even describe the food as a “lifesaver.” Customers also love the fact the food comes recommended by veterinarians.
Summary: Raised Right Original Beef Adult Dog Recipe is a specially formulated high-protein formula that is perfect for dogs of all breeds and life stages, especially those who are picky eaters. With savory human-grade beef as its main ingredient, your picky-eating pooch will surely adore this wet dog food. Every recipe from Raised Right has passed the same standards necessary for human consumption and all of their food is lightly cooked in a human-grade facility. Moreover, their low-temp cooking meets the USDA pathogen kill step while maintaining high levels of moisture and nutritional integrity.
Type: Wet dog food
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Original Beef, Original Turkey, Original Pork, Original Chicken, Turkey & Pumpkin Paté, Beef & Pumpkin Paté, Pork & Pumpkin Paté, Chicken & Pumpkin Paté
Price: $10.99 per bag
Pros
- Favorable for picky-eating dogs
- Human-grade and grain-free
- Made with 100% whole foods and real meat
- Free from synthetic vitamins and minerals
- High-protein and rich in complex B vitamins
Cons
- Needs to be thawed before serving
Ingredient Analysis: Beef, Beef Heart, Carrots, Beef Liver, Cranberries, Organic Spearmint, Flaxseed Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Cod Liver Oil, Organic Dried Kelp
Review: Many pet owners are quite happy with Raised Right’s Original Beef dog food recipe. They stated that this has solved their problems with their picky-eating dogs after trying multiple brands in the market. To quote one happy customer, “This stuff is amazing! My super finicky shih tzu gobbles this stuff up at soon as I put it down. He licks his bowl clean every time!”
Summary: This is a finely ground blend of healthy raw foods that can be used as a food topper over your dog’s daily kibble meal. This food formula is free of grain and gluten that can irritate a dog’s stomach. The main ingredient of this recipe is cage-free meat from chicken, beef, or duck. This formula contains freeze-dried raw ingredients, which guarantee the highest nutrient levels. Adding even a little bit of this food topper will make your dog’s meals more enticing and healthy.
Type: Fresh dog food (freeze-dried)
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Chicken; Bacon; Beef; Duck
Price: $21.99 per 7-oz package
Pros
- Freeze-dried fresh raw ingredients with minimal processing
- Contains 95% protein content from cage-free animals
- Makes daily meals more appealing for dogs
- Promotes appetite and digestion in dogs
- Improves vitality and gum health and protects from allergies
Cons
- Contains preservatives
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, pumpkin seed, organic cranberries, organic spinach, organic broccoli, organic beets, organic carrots, organic squash, organic blueberries, fenugreek seed, dried kelp, probiotic strains, vitamins, and minerals
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 4,437 customer reviews, this food topper has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Pet parents claim that their dogs dine happily and enjoy their meals with this high-quality pet food topper.
Summary: This food topper formula is a perfect complement for your dog’s wet food meals. This food topper contains healthy protein such as beef, chicken, or duck as the first ingredient. Contains select five ingredients that make it a perfect choice for picky eaters. This formula is free of artificial flavors, fillers, and preservatives.
Type: Wet dog food
Best for: Adult dogs
Flavor Options: Chicken; Chicken & Sweet Potato; Chicken, Carrots & Spinach; Chicken, Carrots & Green Beans; Beef, Chicken, Potatoes & Peas; Chicken, Duck, Potatoes & Pumpkin; Chicken, Carrots & Potatoes; Beef, Chicken, Potatoes & Green Beans
Price: $4.29 per can (1.3 oz)
Pros
- Healthy protein sources suitable for canine dietary needs
- With superfoods like pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes
- Improves overall health in dogs with daily consumption
- Makes meals tastier for dogs
- Free of fillers, preservatives, and added flavors
Cons
- Can be used with wet food only
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Chicken, water
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 9,686 customer reviews, this food topper has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers claim that their picky eater dogs are healthier and eat better with this meal topper.
Summary: This wet food topper comes in an easy-to-pour pouch for adding it to your dog’s daily meals. All the protein sources come from grass-fed and cage-free animals making this a healthy choice. This food topper is free from soy, potatoes, corn, wheat, grain, and carrageenan, making it a safe option for picky eater dogs. This gravy topper formula is enriched with natural ingredients that improve your dog’s skin and coat health.
Type: Wet dog food
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Beef; Chicken; Salmon; Lamb
Price: $18.00 per variety pack
Pros
- Grain-free food topper without wheat, corn, and soy
- Contains a high proportion of protein from cage-free animals
- Formulated with natural ingredients making this a healthy choice
- Boosts skin and coat health in dogs
- Comes in easy-pour pouches that make it easy to use
Cons
- Contains guar gum for thickening the gravy
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients
- Real Chicken Recipe: Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, eggs, ground dried peas, natural flavor, sodium phosphate, salt, sodium carbonate, DL-methionine
- Real Beef Recipe: Beef broth, beef, chicken, beef liver, eggs, ground dried peas, natural flavor, sodium phosphate, salt, sodium carbonate, DL-methionine
- Real Lamb Recipe: Lamb broth, lamb, beef, beef liver, eggs, ground dried peas, natural flavor, sodium phosphate, salt, sodium carbonate, DL-methionine
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: Guar gum (added thickener) in all recipes
Review: Based on 3,165 customer ratings, this wet food topper has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers state that their picky eater dogs are not picky when their meals are topped with this.
Summary: This is a meat topper to accompany the daily meals of your dog. This food topper contains chunks of red meat blended with other natural ingredients and vitamins. It can be added to dry kibble or wet dog food to make meals tastier for your dog. This formula doesn’t contain any poultry or chicken-by products, making this a great choice for dogs with poultry allergies.
Type: Wet dog food
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Beef; Chicken
Price: $52.56 per 12-pouch pack
Pros
- Contains rich protein from real meat sources
- Can be used to top wet or dry dog food
- Makes regular dog food more appetizing for picky eater dogs
- Free of chicken-by products or poultry
- Comes in a variety pack of chicken and beef flavors
Cons
- Contains guar gum as a thickening agent that can cause bloating in dogs.
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients
- Beef: Beef, chicken broth, water, chicken liver, dried egg product, potato starch, natural flavor, sodium phosphate, salt, sodium carbonate
- Chicken: Chicken, chicken broth, water, chicken liver, dried egg product, potato starch, natural flavor, sodium phosphate, salt, sodium carbonate
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: Guar gum (gravy thickener) in both flavors
Review: Based on 1,372 customer ratings, this formula has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pet owners claim that their dogs have now started to eat their kibble regularly with this meat topper.
Summary: This is a limited ingredient formula in the form of semi-moist meaty morsels. The limited ingredients in this formula meet your dog needs and make it suitable for even the pickiest eaters with food sensitivities. This formula is boosted with a dual-defense antioxidant blend that improves your dog’s immune system and keeps diseases at bay. Contains natural sources of glucosamine that strengthens bone and joint health in dogs.
Type: Crunchy kibble + Tender morsels
Best for: Adult dogs
Flavor Options: Lamb & Rice
Price:
Pros
- Limited ingredient for finicky dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Rich protein source from real lamb as the first ingredient
- With an antioxidant blend for improved immunity
- Contains glucosamine that strengthens bones and joints
- Can be used as a food topper for an entire meal in itself
Cons
- Contains chicken by-product meals and beef fat
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Lamb (source of glucosamine, rice flour, whole grain corn, whole grain wheat, liver flavor, dried carrots, dried peas, vitamins, and minerals
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, beef fat, soybean oil
Review: Based on 11,438 customer reviews, this product has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Customers state that this is a healthy option that improves the dog’s appetite and deals with digestive issues in dogs.
Summary: This formula is a special blend suited for the dietary needs of small breed dogs. This formula contains raw meat from animals in a freeze-dried form that ensures the highest nutrition levels. This limited ingredient formula with less than eight select ingredients makes it hypoallergenic and safe. The small kibble size makes it suitable for small breed dogs to digest this. Contains probiotic strains that boost their digestive system and improve gut health.
Type: Raw-coated kibble
Best for: Adult dogs
Flavor Options: Chicken; Lamb; Salmon
Price: $4.99 per pound
Pros
- Limited ingredient recipe with less than eight select ingredients
- Freeze-dried raw meat for maximum nutrient content
- Small-sized kibble suitable for small breed dogs
- Contains probiotics, prebiotics, and omega-fatty acids
- With protein from delicious lamb, salmon, and chicken
Cons
- More expensive than other options on the list
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Lamb, lamb meal, peas, lentils, garbanzo beans, freeze-dried lamb, natural flavor, flaxseed, minerals, vitamins, and probiotics (dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract)
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: Canola oil, tapioca
Review: Based on 1,946 customer reviews, this recipe has an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Dog owners state that their picky eater dogs eat well with this food and have developed healthier guts and coats. The recipe has also improved digestive health.
Summary: This wet food is formulated especially for small breed dogs. This recipe is made with high protein content derived from chicken or beef. The formula is blended with superfoods like dried carrots, peas, and potatoes for balanced nutrition. All the ingredients are prepared in a nourishing gravy that keeps your dog hydrated. This formula is savory in nature and comes in easy-to-serve portioned cups.
Type: Wet dog food
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Chicken; Filet Mignon; New York Strip; Prime Rib
Price: $20.12 per 12 trays (3.5-oz)
Pros
- High protein content derived from premium quality meat
- Contains healthy superfoods
- Suitable for small breed dogs
- Rich gravy formula keeps your dog nourished and hydrated
- Free of additives, fillers, corn, wheat, and soy
Cons
- Contains guar gum as a thickening agent that can cause bloating in dogs
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Beef, beef broth, water, chicken liver, carrots, chicken, potatoes, dried egg, peas, pea flour, potato starch, natural prime rib flavor, vitamins, and minerals
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: Guar gum
Review: Based on 3,827 customer reviews, this canned dog food with quality ingredients has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, customers claim that it’s great for picky eater dogs who are now excited to devour and lick their bowls clean every time.
Summary: This is a food topper that coats regular dog food with irresistible deliciousness. These granules of food toppers are prepared with 100% natural beef from Canada. This protein-forward formula will not add fat to your dog’s regular meals. This is a one-ingredient food topper containing only natural beef goodness.
Type: Powdered dog food topper
Best for: Dogs of all life stages
Flavor Options: Beef
Price: $6.99 per jar (5.6-oz)
Pros
- Can be used with dry or wet dog food daily
- Made with 100% natural beef
- Doesn’t contain any added flavors or preservatives
- Low in fat and rich in protein formula
- Single-ingredient formula fit for sensitive tummies
Cons
- Often out of stock on online retailers
Ingredient Analysis
- Great Ingredients: Beef liver
- Not-so-Great Ingredients: None
Review: Based on 5,062 customer reviews, this food topper has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Pet parents state that this is a value-for-money dog food topper and is a game changer in feeding their picky eater dogs and helping them overcome health issues.
- Easy-to-clean, food-grade stainless steel bowl
- Smart app control and 1080P HD Camera
- Built-in advanced microphone and speaker
- Motion detection, smart notifications, and indicators
- Use the code Vets15 for 15% off
What do you Feed a Dog that Doesn’t Like Dog Food?
It can be worrisome to realize that your dog is a picky eater, and it will be challenging to feed them daily. Here are some things dog owners can ensure to feed their picky eater dog instead of regular kibble.
- Use a Food Topper. Choose from our listed food toppers to enhance the flavor of your dog’s regular kibble that can help them finish their meals. Food toppers are delicious and nutritious.
- Add Homemade Food Enhancers. You can add homemade food enhancers made from dog-friendly fruits and veggies such as pureed pumpkin, carrots, or freshly chopped fruits that they like to make their meals look more appetizing.
- Try Feeding Human Food. If your dog has completely given up touching their regular kibble, try feeding them human food. This can be a savior for your dog’s diet if all else fails. Also, do not forget there are human-grade dog foods.
Will a Picky Dog Starve?
No, a picky eater will not starve.
Picky eater dogs may refuse to finish their meals or sometimes completely refuse to eat them at all, but dogs don’t intentionally starve themselves (even if they don’t like their food).
However, it’s important to remember that dogs feel hungry less frequently than humans. Namely, a dog can go without food for 48 hours. But if your dog refuses to have meals beyond 48 hours, take them to a veterinarian for a checkup.
Overall, no matter how tricky it is to find a food your picky eater likes, it’s not impossible. Use our detailed guide to find the right dog food formula and put an end to picky eating habits.
