The 10 Best Dog Foods For Picky Eaters
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Having a finicky eater for a dog is no laughing matter. While business after business claims to bring food your dog will eat, the end product always appears to be a full bag of dog food your pup will not eat. This is not only aggravating, but it can also cost you a lot of money!
That's why BestForPets (bestforpets.org) decided to find and assess the best dog foods for picky eaters. That way, you can set a dish of extremely healthy food in front of your dog and put these frustrations to rest once and for all!
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters: A Buyer's Guide
If you’re still having trouble deciding on the best dog food for your pooch, you’re not alone. And just when you’ve discovered the ideal dog food for your pooch doesn’t mean you’re finished. That’s why we created this thorough buyer’s guide to walk you through everything you need to know to choose the best dog food and quickly transition your pooch to it!
How to Get Picky Dogs to Eat Their Food
It’s difficult to deal with fussy eaters. It’s even more aggravating when those fussy eaters have paws and gorgeous eyes. That’s why we’ve included a few pointers below to assist you get your dog to eat.
Combine the Ingredients
Dogs appear to prefer wet food and meal toppings over conventional dry kibble, but these feeds are often much more expensive! However, sometimes mixing kibble with other meals is all that is required to persuade your dog to eat it.
Wet meals are ideal since they are simple to prepare, but you can also add different toppings or even water to entice your dog to eat. Just make sure you mix it right before feeding it to them so it doesn’t sit out. Also, remember to remove any uneaten food before it spoils.
Mix with some chicken broth
While you may use water for this technique, the pickiest eaters will only respond to something with a bit more taste. Chicken broth is a low-cost and extremely efficient way to combine dry kibble and entice your dog to eat it.
However, bear in mind that chicken broth isn’t always the healthiest option, so exercise caution while combining it. You may also dilute the chicken broth slightly to provide an extra burst of flavor throughout their meal without introducing too much salt or other undesirable components to their diet.
Stop Giving Them Candy
Your dog may not finish their food because they are saving it for something better later. If your dog isn’t eating their meal, we recommend limiting their treats and other snacks until they start eating their dinner on a regular basis.
Because hunger is a natural method to persuade your dog to eat, you should allow them to become hungry before offering them their food. With the correct food and enough hunger, they’ll eventually start eating their meal. And if they aren’t expecting heaps of sweets every night, you may begin to include them back into their diet, and they should continue to eat.
Change to the Right Food!
You don’t want to eat low-quality filler meals on a daily basis, do you? Your dog, on the other hand, does not. Giving a finicky eater a high-quality dinner is sometimes all that is required to convince them to consume their food. Any of the solutions on our list should suffice, so don’t overthink it. Get them something tasty to eat, and they should start eating!
Conclusion
Stop overthinking it if you’re still wondering whether food is best for your dog after reading the buyer’s guide and reviews. There’s a reason Nom Nom Now is our #1 recommendation; it’s long been a favorite among finicky eaters.
Of course, if you’re on a tighter budget, Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula is a high-quality dog food at an affordable price. What matters most is that you get top-notch cuisine on order as quickly as possible so that you can put your fussy eating issues to rest once and for all!
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes our evaluations and guide assist you in finding the best dog foods for picky eaters.
Reviews
Best Value: Formula Blue Buffalo Life Protection
- Size: 3, 6, 15, 24, or 30 lbs.
- Type: Dry
- Primary protein source: chicken
- 24% crude protein
- Fiber: 5%
You don’t have to settle for poor dog food if you’re on a limited budget but have a finicky eater. You can have the best of both worlds with Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula: a very nutritious diet that your dog will really eat.
Even better, there are several size options to pick from, allowing you to test it out before purchasing the lower per pound bulk versions. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula provides all of the nutrients your dog requires to flourish, and it won’t break the wallet.
While the flavor selections are limited for such a high-quality meal at this price, it’s easy to see why it’s our top dog food for finicky eaters.
Pros
- There are several size possibilities.
- Price per pound is reasonable.
- a plethora of nutrients
- Ingredients of superior grade
Cons
- There are few taste possibilities.
Best for Puppies: Grain-Free Puppy Food Orijen Puppy
- Weight: 4.5, 13, or 25 pounds
- Type: Dry
- Chicken, turkey, and fish are the primary proteins.
- 38% crude protein
- Fiber: 6%
Puppies may be finicky eaters as well, so it’s critical to have puppy chow that even the pickiest of puppies will enjoy. That option is Orijen Puppy Grain-Free Puppy Food. It’s a high-quality dog chow loaded with nutrients that will help your puppy develop and flourish.
The 38 percent crude protein content of each meal emphasizes this point. It’s a more pricey alternative, but it has everything you could want in puppy chow. While we’d want to state that your dog would eat it without a doubt, the fact is that it is still dry dog food, and as a result, it has a little blander flavor.
Still, it tastes better than most puppy foods, so give it a shot if you have a picky puppy!
Pros
- a high percentage of crude protein
- Packed with flavor
- Ingredients of superior grade
- a plethora of nutrients
Cons
- Option that is more expensive
- Flavor is rather bland.
Grain-Free Pure Red Meat Formula Dog Food CANIDAE
- 20 pound weight
- Dry Dog Food, Freeze-Dried/Raw
- Lamb, pork, and goat are the primary proteins.
- 28% crude protein
- Fiber: 5%
If you’re searching for a high-quality dog food for fussy eaters, choose CANIDAE Grain-Free Pure Ancestral Red Meat Formula. It’s a one-of-a-kind red meat dog chow combination that your doggy will adore. Each mouthful is packed with taste and nutrition.
CANIDAE employs high-quality components in their mix, which your dog can taste and benefits their general health. CANIDAE provides them with all of the nutrients they require to grow, and the only major disadvantage is the cost.
It is somewhat more costly per pound, but when compared to genuinely luxury selections, it is a value. It’s the greatest overall option available, which means it’s also one of the best bangs for your money.
Pros
- Six protein sources from red meat
- bursting with flavor
- a plethora of nutrients
- Only high-quality ingredients are used.
Cons
- Option that is more expensive
Variety Pack Weruva No Ruff Days
- Case of 12 14-ounce bottles
- Type: Wet
- Primary proteins include chicken and beef.
- 8.56 to 11.49% crude protein
- 0.5 to 1% fiber
When you have a fussy eater, most of the time all you need to do is place high-quality wet food in front of them to get them to eat. That is exactly what the Weruva No Ruff Days Variety Pack provides.
It has an allergy-friendly recipe with enough of protein, and because it comes in a variety pack, you can mix and match the meals to keep your dog happy.
However, it is somewhat more expensive each meal, which is why we advocate using it as a topping to persuade your dog to eat before converting completely. While this food has enough nutrition for your dog to flourish, it will undoubtedly raise the price for you.
Furthermore, because it does not last as long as typical dry goods, you will find yourself ordering it more frequently, resulting in you spending even more money.
Pros
- Variety mix allows you to mix and match meals.
- Wet food is preferred by the majority of dogs.
- Protein-rich formula
- Formula that is allergy-friendly
- It may be used as a topping for dry foods.
Cons
- More costly per meal
Recipe for American Journey Salmon with Sweet Potatoes
- Size: 4, 12, or 24 lbs.
- Type: Dry
- Salmon and chicken as primary proteins
- 32% crude protein
- Fiber: 5%
Just because you have a finicky eater does not mean you should immediately avoid dry food alternatives. The American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe demonstrates that you may acquire a flavorful dry food for your dog.
It has a recipe that is ideal for puppies who have dietary sensitivities, and the greater protein proportion provides your dog with enough of energy to play and exercise. However, because it is dry dog food, don’t expect it to have as much taste as fresh, moist, or freeze-dried choices.
Even if your dog hasn’t loved dry dog food in the past, it doesn’t imply they won’t like this. The American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe is superior, and your dog will notice.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Increased protein content
- Formula for food sensitivities
- a plethora of nutrients
Cons
- Recipe is a little tasteless.
Backcountry Merrick Freeze-Dried Dry Dog Food
- Size: 4, 10, or 20 lbs.
- Type: Dry
- Primary protein source: salmon
- 34% crude protein
- Fiber: 3.5%
Consider Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Dry Dog Food if you’re seeking for dry dog food with a taste boost for your canine. It contains freeze-dried ingredients that preserve taste throughout the manufacturing process, making it more fun for your dog to eat.
It not only tastes nice, but it also contains a lot of Omega 3s and other nutrients for your dog. When you consider the increased crude protein %, it’s easy to see how this dish made our list. Still, while it’s a fantastic option, it ended up towards the bottom of our list for a reason.
For starters, it is somewhat more costly per pound. Second, it has less protein than many other dog diets. This means your dog won’t feel full as quickly, and it may be more difficult on their digestive tract. It’s an excellent option, but it’s not the best of the best.
Pros
- The crude protein level is quite high.
- Various sizes are available.
- Omega 3s in plenty
- Kibble that has been freeze-dried for added taste
Cons
- Reduced fiber content
- More costly per pound
Grain-Free Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dog Food
- Size: 5, 14, or 28 lbs.
- Type: Dry
- Water buffalo, lamb, and chicken are the primary proteins.
- 32% crude protein
- Fiber: 4%
Sometimes all it takes to convince your dog to eat is a little variety. And with Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food, you’re surely broadening your horizons. Water buffalo is the main component in this dog food, so it’s sure to taste different than anything your dog has ever eaten.
It’s not simply a novel protein source for your dog to sample; it’s also high in protein and, shockingly, reasonably priced. However, it is a blander kibble when compared to freeze-dried or fresh meals, so we couldn’t rank it higher.
Pros
- a lot of protein
- One-of-a-kind protein source
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Recipe for Blander dry kibble
Salmon Recipe for Skin + Coat Care by Go! Solutions
- 3.5, 12, and 25 pound sizes
- Type: Dry
- Primary protein source: salmon
- 22% crude protein
- Fiber: 4%
While Go! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Salmon Recipe isn’t the largest dog food producer, it doesn’t imply it’s not a good choice for your dog. It employs a formula that is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs, as well as probiotics that improve their digestive system health in the long run.
Go! employs only high-quality ingredients in its recipe, which contains all of the nutrients your dog requires to flourish. Still, it was at the bottom of our list for a reason, and Go! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Salmon Recipe was at the bottom for two reasons.
First and foremost, it is a blander formulation, even when compared to other dry dog feeds. Second, it has less crude protein than the majority of the dry foods on our list. It’s still sufficient for your pet to flourish, but we wish it was a little higher.
Pros
- Excellent for delicate stomachs.
- Probiotics help with gut health.
- Only high-quality ingredients are used.
- It is high in nutrients.
Cons
- Lower crude protein percentage
- mediocre recipe
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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