How to get your dog to eat
If your dog refuses to eat his food, it is first and foremost important to make sure that he is not sick or in pain. If in doubt, you should contact your veterinarian for a thorough assessment. On the other hand, if your dog wants to eat everything other than his dog food, it may be a sign that he has become a bit of a picky eater.
Here are a few tips on what you can do if your dog doesn't want to eat his food:
Dog food for picky dogs
Dog food for picky dogs
It is essential that your dog gets a nutritious and well-balanced diet. That is why it is important to check the ingredients and ensure that the food contains a large amount of protein from whole animals. The taste also plays a big role – it should be intense and delicious. Acana Grass-fed Lamb and Grasslands are particularly popular with picky dogs, as they offer an excellent taste experience.
For the extra picky dogs, Pala is a perfect choice. Unlike other dry food varieties, Pala is softer in texture and therefore more fatty. The food is 100% natural, raw and extremely tasty. The consistency can best be described as a mix of “dry-barf” and “semi-moist”, making it a luxurious eating experience for your dog.
Only leave the dry food out for 10 minutes.
If your dog has access to his food all day, part of the explanation may be found there. It simply becomes too easily accessible, boring and then some of the taste disappears. Offer your dog the food for about 10 minutes at a time - and then take it away. It is important that the food is changed every day, even if your dog has not touched it. This is because the fat in the food can go rancid - and then your dog will definitely not want it.
Flavor enhancers or 'toppings' are an easy and quick way to give your current food an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.
Flavor enhancer for dog food
Healthy toppings for dog food
Tasty alternatives to dry food
Mush Barf
If your dog doesn't like dry food, you might want to consider trying BARF. BARF stands for "Bones and Raw Food" and consists of raw meat that comes in convenient, frozen meatballs. It takes up a little extra space in the freezer, but BARF has a much stronger flavor, and many dogs thrive better on this diet. It can be a good solution if you have a picky dog who isn't a fan of regular dry food.
Wet food for dogs
If you are not ready to try BARF, you can start by coaxing your dog to eat their dry food by mixing it with a little wet food. For some picky dogs this works, but be aware that they may still manage to sort out the dry food. If this happens, it is a good indicator that your dog is simply picky. You can also choose to only serve wet food to your dog. Be sure to choose a quality wet food, such as Lily's, so that you are sure that your dog is getting the necessary protein-rich diet from meat.
Fresh dog food
Fresh dog food from Mæt is another alternative, full of flavor and aroma – from a dog's perspective. The carefully selected ingredients are gently prepared to preserve the great taste and ensure optimal digestion, so your dog can enjoy every meal.
