Do you have a picky dog?

Are you feeling frustrated about food going to waste?

One aspect that is often disregarded when a dog refuses to eat is the texture, presentation, and temperature of the food.

Given that many have already attempted to entice their dogs with toppers and broths, here are some alternative suggestions you can consider:

• If you usually feed kibble, experiment with canned or dehydrated/freeze-dried food for a different texture.

• Conversely, if your dog dislikes dehydrated food (which can be somewhat runny), they may prefer the firmer texture of kibble.

• Some dogs prefer pâté-style canned food over chunky stews.

• If you feed fresh food, try shaping it into meatballs, as some dogs prefer picking up food in chunks.

• Offer food on a plate instead of in a bowl, as some dogs prefer a flat surface.

• Experiment by serving different foods in muffin tins or separate small dishes to allow your dog to indicate their preferences. You can try various types of food and observe their choices! In each compartment, offer crunchy, warm, cold, pâté, stew, cooked vegetable pieces, and pulverized food.

• Try feeding meals in puzzles and hide the puzzles. Many dogs enjoy the challenge and are more likely to eat if they have to search for hidden puzzles. This approach can be effective with dogs that have smaller appetites.

• If your dog refuses raw meat, try offering cooked meat instead.

• Provide cooked vegetable pieces instead of pulverized vegetables to address texture preferences.

• Consider serving food at room temperature or slightly warmed if you typically feed straight from the fridge.

• If you usually top meals with fresh meat or commercial meat toppers, try adding them gradually as your dog eats their base food, some during the meal, and some after.

I think it's important to strike a balance between understanding your dog's basic preferences and not spoiling them. If your puppy used to eagerly finish all their meals but now leaves some food behind, it could be because they are going through a slower growth phase and require fewer calories. This might also indicate that they are ready to switch from three meals a day to two. It's not a cause for alarm or a reason to change their food abruptly.

If your dog consistently walks away from their food during mealtimes, consider trying out these suggestions instead of relying heavily on various toppers and changing their food frequently. I often encounter dogs that anticipate a different meal at every feeding, but you can introduce variety in subtle ways. For example, instead of a vegetable mix with six different veggies, try incorporating a new single vegetable weekly or daily. Experiment with fresh herbs or spices. You don't need to switch to a completely different commercial food every day to keep mealtime interesting and diverse.

Keep in mind that if your dog requires a specialized diet for health reasons, it may not be possible to introduce a lot of variety. This can be frustrating because addressing health issues effectively becomes challenging if your dog doesn't eat consistently. It's something to consider!