The Best Dog Foods for Picky Eaters

Dogs have a reputation for being quite picky about their diet. Some dogs are picky eaters, and this can cause their owners headaches. Dogs that are not picky can sometimes start a hunger strike if they don’t like the food.

When you encounter a similar situation, you understand how stressful it can be. Not to mention the money you waste looking for food that your fussy dog will eat.

Just as you must find a way to convince a toddler to eat vegetables, you must ensure that your dog’s diet has the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Some dogs are fussy eaters and will only consume food that they enjoy.

If your dog is a picky eater, don’t worry. We have found the ten best-tasting dog foods for you. The article below contains reviews of each food and information on ingredients and nutrients. We’ll guide how to get your pet to eat more.

The Eleven Most Delicious Dog Foods for Picky Eaters

1. The Farmer’s Canine Fresh Dog Food – Overall Best


The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food is the best overall food for picky eaters. This food is created in a kitchen using natural, uncomplicated ingredients such as proteins and veggies. The food seems and smells like an authentic meal, not synthetic kibble. It’s as if you manufactured your dog food. Still, this food is prepared with the help of veterinary nutritionists, so you don’t have to worry about lacking essential vitamins or minerals.

The diets are tailored to fit your dog’s specific age, activity level, and other needs. They are cooked fresh and shipped regularly, so they always taste great and don’t contain preservatives.

The Farmer’s Dog diet is suitable for picky eaters. It is more expensive than other diets but worth it because your dog will get good quality food. You must also order the food online, so if you don’t have a good Internet connection, this might not be the best diet for you.

Pros

  • It is Meat-based, with Whole, natural ingredients.
  • It has no fillers, artificial flavors, or added preservatives.
  • All products are corn, soy, and wheat-free.

Cons

  • Some owners complain of the strong smell of the food.

2. Grain-Free Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food


Our second choice is Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. It comes in bags of 5, 15, or 28 pounds. This food is a balanced and all-natural diet for your dog. The Pacific Stream recipe is delicious and contains vitamins and minerals to help your pup stay healthy. It is grain-free and made with real smoked salmon.

Our second choice is Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. It also has other fruits and vegetables. This food is easy to digest. It also has antioxidants, prebiotics, vitamins, and chelated minerals. This food is suitable for any dog with a sensitive stomach.

This food is made in the USA without grains, corn, wheat, fillers, or artificial ingredients. It is also made without eggs, so your pup can still eat it if they have any allergies to this ingredient.

Pros

  • All-natural
  • Plenty of vitamins and minerals
  • No artificial ingredients
  • Easy to digest
  • Made for all dogs
  • Good for sensitive stomachs

Cons

  • Some dogs may not like it.

3. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food


Another great option we recommend is the Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food. This food is guaranteed to tempt even the pickiest eaters, and it is also an all-natural and well-balanced diet. The first ingredient in the chicken and veggie recipe is farm-raised chicken.

His diet includes fiber from brown rice and beet pulp. Prebiotics, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids are also present. This food contains no chicken by-product meals, fillers, wheat, wheat gluten, artificial colors, preservatives, or tastes. It is prepared in USA-based facilities. This food is an excellent choice for all breeds and ages of dogs.

Dog Rachael Ray Food is high in protein and easy to digest. This formula, however, contains soy products. If your dog is allergic to this substance, this may not be your best option.

Pros

  • All-natural
  • Packed with vitamins and minerals
  • No by-product meals
  • No artificial ingredients
  • Easy to digest

Cons

  • Contain soy

4. Instinct Raw Boost Dry Dog Food


Dry Dog Food Instinct Raw Boost is a good option for picky eaters. It comes in a duck recipe with freeze-dried bits of real meat. The bag is 41 pounds, and the food is made with cage-free duck. This food is also grain-free, but it is designed for small breeds only.

This duck recipe is suitable for your small pup because it has a lot of protein, balanced fiber, and fat. It will help them stay healthy and not be overweight. The recipe also has calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints, and no artificial colors or preservatives.

Instinct Raw Food was created in the United States. It contains various vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s overall well-being. The food is also easy to digest and all-natural. The only disadvantage is that it is pricier than other foods.

Pros

  • All-natural
  • Vitamins and minerals are abundant.
  • There are no artificial ingredients.
  • Produced with cage-free duck
  • Simple to understand

Cons

  • greater cost
  • Only suitable for tiny breeds.

5. Adult Dry Dog Food Blue Buffalo Wilderness


The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Dog Food is a fantastic option if your dog likes salmon. This food is grain-free and suitable for all breeds, ages, and sizes of dogs. You can buy it in 4.5, 11, 20, or 24-pound bags.

Blue Buffalo does not use any poultry by-products in their meals. They also do not use fillers, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. This diet is high in protein and balanced with the right calories and carbohydrates to help your dog stay healthy and energetic. What’s more, Blue Buffalo uses their patented LifeSource bits. These small bits added to the food contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog’s immune system, life stage, and overall well-being.

This formula has healthy benefits like omegas for healthy skin and coat, plus glucosamine to support joint health. It is a natural and holistic formula that will tempt even the pickiest eaters. However, remember that some pets might find this meal harder to digest. Furthermore, the recipe contains a lot of pea protein, which acts as a filler and increases the protein content in the formula.

Pros

  • Natural and all-natural recipe
  • Bits from LifeSource
  • There are no artificial flavors or preservatives.
  • Designed for all dogs

Cons

  • Fillers make it more difficult to digest

6. Dry Dog Food Purina Pro Plan Savor


Dry Dog Food Purina Pro Plan Savor is high-quality dog food. It is a good choice if your dog is picky and has shown interest in beef and rice recipes in the past. The food is made with natural beef as the first ingredient, and it has a great protein-to-fat ratio to help keep your pup slim and in shape. In addition, this food has tender shredded morsels twisted in with their standard kibble to add more texture and flavor to the meal.

Purina Pro is available in bags that weigh 6, 18, 35, or 47 pounds. This food contains probiotics, prebiotics, vitamin A, linoleic acid, and omega-6 fatty acids to help your pet’s immune system. The digestive health and overall well-being. It is, however, better suited for larger breeds of pets.

This recipe is made in the United States and is easy to prepare. It is an all-natural composition that contains no artificial ingredients. However, it has poultry by-product meals and soy products. Garlic is also included in the recipe, but it is low on the list of ingredients. Although garlic is generally safe for dogs, some dogs may have allergic reactions to it, so caution is advised.

Pros

  • Specially formulated puppy wet food.
  • Vitamins C, E, lutein, and taurine are designed to help a growing immune system having 8% protein content.
  • Small can size suitable for a small breed.
  • No artificial food coloring or preservatives.

Cons

  • Water is listed as the first ingredient.
  • Meat by-products.
  • Higher priced product.

7. Crave Grain-Free Dry Dog Food


Salmon and ocean fish are the main ingredients in Crave Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, a high-protein composition. There aren’t any grains, soy, wheat, or other substances in it. The United States of America is where this item’s manufacturing and processing occur. Even the most finicky pets will gobble up this delectable food without complaint.

Crave dry dog food comes in 4-, 12-, and 22-pound bags. Adult dogs should eat this kind of food, but puppies should not. This food has more fat than other foods. But it is suitable for your dog because it has vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that keep it healthy, including energy levels, immune system, skin, and fur health.

The Crave brand of dog food is made with a unique formula that some pets find hard to digest. It is especially true if your dog is transitioning from another food brand. The kibble in the Crave brand is also harder to chew, which might not be ideal for dogs with sensitive teeth.

Pros

  • High protein content
  • There are no artificial ingredients.
  • Minerals and vitamins
  • There are no by-product meals.

Cons

  • Higher fat content
  • Difficult to digest
  • Puppies should not be used.
  • Kibble that is tougher

8. Canned Blue Buffalo Basics Ingredient Dog Food


Canned Blue Buffalo Basics Ingredient Dog Food is a wet food that comes in 12.5-ounce cans. It’s a LID formula that is great for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. This meal doesn’t have chicken, beef, dairy, or eggs. Moreover, it doesn’t have any grain, and there are no by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

This food is gentle on your digestion. However, if you are transitioning your pet to this food from another, you may notice some trouble. That’s because this food is not recommended for puppies.

The Blue Buffalo Basics dog food has lower protein and fiber levels than many other canned dog foods. In addition, it contains fillers such as pea protein. You will also find carrageenan in this food, another stuffing with no nutritional value for your pet. It can also be hard to digest. This food also contains healthy carbohydrates, omega fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s overall health.

Pros

  • High protein content
  • Vitamins and minerals
  • Appropriate for dogs with dietary sensitivities.
  • There are no artificial ingredients.

Cons

  • Transitioning from dry food is difficult.
  • Puppies should not be used.
  • Protein deficient
  • a lack of fiber
  • Fillers are present.

9. Canned Blue Buffalo Basics Ingredient Dog Food


This chicken liver recipe is designed for small breeds of dogs. The recipe comes in a six or 15-pound bag, and it is made with the brand’s Nutri-Lock low-temperature vacuum drying procedure. This procedure removes moisture from the food while still retaining the nutrients.

Bil-Jac is made in the USA without fillers, gluten meals, wheat, soy, or sprayed on rendered fat or protein concentrate. Remember that this food has harder kibble, so it might not be a good choice for dogs with sensitive teeth. Another thing to consider is that the recipe contains chicken by-product meals and cornmeal fillers.

Something you should be aware of about this food is that it contains BHA. When feeding this chemical to your dog, use caution since it has been connected to serious illnesses in canines. Another thing to remember is that some dogs do not like the taste of liver, while others enjoy it.

Pros

  • System Nutri-Lock
  • Minerals and vitamins
  • There will be no sprayed-on rendered fat or protein concentrations.

Cons

  • Hard kibble small breeds
  • BHA is present.
  • This product contains chicken by-product meals.
  • Chicken liver is not always popular.

10. Adult Dry Dog Food Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free


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Bags of this turkey and sweet potato recipe weigh 4.5, 11, or 24 pounds. It is grain-free and high in animal-based protein. Probiotics, vitamin B, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, calcium, and low glycemic components are also included in this cuisine.

This food is intended for larger breeds and is not as tasty as some of our other recommendations. It contains more fat and can be more difficult to digest. Furthermore, even though the recipe has neither chicken nor eggs, we discovered chicken fat as one of the ingredients. If your dog is allergic to poultry ingredients, this may not be the best option.

Nulo is manufactured in the United States. However, it contains fillers like pea fiber, which can help elevate protein levels.

Pros

  • Vitamins and minerals
  • 85% animal-based protein

Cons

  • Not as tasty
  • High in fat
  • Puppies should not be used.
  • Kibble that is tougher
  • Kibble that is tougher

11. Purina Beyond Grain-Free Dry Dog Food


It is a grain-free food that is rich in protein. It has no grains, by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients. It comes in a beef and egg recipe in a three- or 13-pound bag.

Meat from North America is used in the preparation of Purina foods. Since almost two years ago, this utterly natural recipe has been appropriate for use with adult dogs. There are currently two different formulas: the older one and the more recent one. The old version has more salt, but both have a lot of fillers, including pea protein, flour, and fiber. Furthermore, both formulations are heavy in fat and calories. It can be challenging for your dog to digest this food.

The downside to this option is the flavor. Most picky eaters will not be tempted by the beef and egg recipe because it doesn’t taste good. It contains certain vitamins and minerals but isn’t as nutritious as other selections on our list. Overall, this is our least favorite fussy dog food.

Pros

  • No artificial ingredients
  • No artificial ingredients

Cons

  • Picky eaters don’t like it
  • Hard to digest
  • High in salt
  • There are numerous fillers in it.
  • Fat and calorie content are high.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Tasting Dog Food for Picky Eaters

A picky eater can be hard to deal with. Trying out new recipes can be frustrating, especially if your pet doesn’t like them. But don’t worry; there are many kinds of food available that your pet is likely to enjoy eventually.

Here are some suggestions for how to stimulate your dog’s appetite when looking for something they’ll munch on:

Switch It Up:

If your pet likes one food flavor, switching to a different brand might not work. It’s also not always the answer to changing the flavor entirely. Try staying within the same protein family. For example, if your pet generally likes chicken, try turkey instead. If they enjoy meat, try bison. Secondary elements such as sweet potatoes, cereals, and other fruits and vegetables are also beneficial.

Change the Formula:

Your dog may not like the same food all the time. Try changing their food to canned, raw, or freeze-dried food. You can also experiment with blending various food types to make it more entertaining and gentler on their stomachs.

Treats:

Dog treats are usually made with different ingredients than regular food. They often have more sugar and other things that make them taste good, but they might not be as healthy for your dog. To get your dog to eat their regular food, try cutting back on the number of treats you give them.

Add a Topper:

If you want to keep feeding your dog the same food, you can add a topper to their meal. Toppers are new in the pet food aisle and have many benefits. There are different types of toppers, including broths, stews, and freeze-dried meats.

Wait:

Dogs will usually start to eat when they are hungry. Unless they have an illness or stomach upset, they will eat the food you give them. If your pup likes the food, you usually give them, wait a little while before you give them more food. It will usually make them eat.

Best Tasting Dog Food For Picky Eaters

Do you have a hard time getting your dog to eat his food? Trying to figure out why your dog won’t eat can be frustrating. Dogs usually have different tastes, so what one dog likes, another might not find appealing. If your dog is picky, it can be tough to figure out what he likes.

One thing we can recommend is changing your dog’s food. Your dog may be tired of the same food if it’s been eating it for a while.

Some dogs lose their appetite if they always eat the same food. If your dog is one of them, you might need to try a different kibble or add a topper to its food to make it excited about eating again. We’ve researched some good dog foods for picky eaters that we can recommend.

These recipes are made to help fussy eaters eat and also get good nutrition. We offer some advice to assist you in training your dog to have good eating habits.

5 Best Tasting Dog Food For Picky Eaters

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food


A business called Ollie prepares fresh, customized dog food, just way Maple and Sprig prepare meals for people. The USA is where Ollie’s dog food is produced and hand-packed. It collaborates with a veterinary nutritionist to create nutritionally sound recipes that adhere to AAFCO guidelines. Everything is carefully chosen from renowned Australian and American farms. Each partner must undergo a rigorous certification procedure to become a supplier.

According to some pet owners, this fresh dog food recipe is a game-changer for picky eaters. Their dogs frequently consume this lamb food by themselves, on their initiative. There is no food wasted because every morsel is gone. And there is also a significant difference in energy levels and coat health. This human-grade dog food is ideal for pups with sensitive stomachs and food allergies because it is customized.

This dog food is the best for picky dogs from all the ones we’ve reviewed. Fresh dog foods are healthier and more wholesome for your pup than other kinds of food. Fussy eaters are naturally drawn to good dog foods, and freshly prepared meals offer the most flavor.

Due to its inexpensive meals, Ollie’s is one of the top fresh dog food providers. Even while it can cost more than prepackaged kibble or canned food, the difference in your dog’s health is priceless.

Pros

  • Cooked in USDA-regulated kitchens
  • The meal is personalized to your pet
  • Human-grade ingredients
  • Limited ingredient dog food
  • Suited for all life stages

Cons

  • More expensive than dry kibble

2. Spot And Tango Fresh Turkey And Red Quinoa


Spot & Tango is a company that makes dog food personalized for each dog. The ingredients are natural and do not contain anything artificial. Their delivery system is quick and easy so you can get the food straight to your doorstep.

Its fresh dog food recipes contain only fundamental, recognized components. All of the components are sourced from carefully selected local farmers. There are no fillers, additives, or preservatives in the food.

Many dog owners have ordered this human-grade dog food recipe. The claim is that fresh food makes it simple to provide something natural and healthful to their picky eaters. On this diet, dogs frequently devour their food as soon as their bowls are full and appear healthier. The firm also gives a money-back guarantee if you are dissatisfied with your purchase. Still, almost nobody utilizes it because dogs thrive on the diet.

Pros

  • 100% Happy Pup guarantee (money back)
  • Made in USDA-certified kitchens with only 12 primary ingredients
  • Meals are served on a consistent and versatile schedule.
  • Sustainable packaging

Cons

  • priced higher than competing fresh food brands

3. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food Delivery Pork Potluck


Nom Nom provides meals for dogs based on their unique dietary needs. You don’t have to guess how much to feed them anymore. The company has two in-house board-certified veterinary nutritionists who make the food for your dog.

All food is prepared at a low temperature to protect nutrients, in line with human-grade kitchen standards. The meats and vegetables are cooked separately and mixed in small batches for better digestibility. Our recipe is delicious and does not include fillers or harmful chemicals that might cause allergies or other sensitivities.

Some dog owners say this recipe is an excellent food for their picky eaters. Dogs that didn’t use to be excited about mealtimes now lick their bowls clean when they’re fed this pork diet. This food is also great for the digestive health of dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Pros

  • Exceeds AAFCO requirements for all stages of life
  • Meals are tailored to your dog’s needs.
  • Produced at human-grade levels in a human-grade kitchen.
  • Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists on-site.

Cons

  • Pricier than kibble

4. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe


The American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato Recipe is an excellent alternative for inexpensive, high-quality cuisine. It provides numerous advantages for your dog’s overall health and well-being. The deboned lamb includes protein and amino acids, which helps with leaner muscles, and is a tasty meal!

This dry food is good for dogs because it contains a range of fruits and vegetables like blueberries, carrots, and dried kelp. These ingredients offer a lot of benefits for dogs.

The list of benefits of this product goes on and on! This product is rich in omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, and long-chain DHA, derived from flaxseed and salmon oil. The brain, eyes, coat, and skin need fatty acids. Phytonutrients, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. More!

Many people with dogs with food allergies say their dog does great on this food. Even dogs that usually don’t eat anything will gobble this food down. People say it tastes the best of all the dog foods out there. It’s also affordable and doesn’t smell bad.

Pros

  • Fruits and vegetables for nutrition from natural sources
  • Fruits and vegetables for nutrition from natural sources
  • It contains immune-supporting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
  • Salmon oil and flaxseed supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
  • Some of the kibbles are clumped together.

Cons

  • Some of the kibbles are clumped together.

5. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Chicken & Veggies Recipe


If you care about animal rescue, you should buy Rachael Ray Nutrish’s Natural Chicken & vegetable Recipe. This food is healthy, and your picky eater will love it. Plus, all of the profits from Nutrish sales go to helping animals in need get food, medical supplies, and treatments.

This food is good for dogs at every stage of their life. The number 1 ingredient is chicken from the USA, and other healthy ingredients like brown rice, beet pulp, peas, and carrots.

This mixture is rich in fiber and prebiotics, which promote digestive health. It also has poultry fat for omega fatty acids, which helps keep a dog’s coat shiny and skin healthy.

Many reviewers say that this food is tasty and that their picky eaters will eat it. Most dogs love this food and think it tastes great.

Many people say that this food is an excellent value for the price. They also say that it is easy on their dog’s stomach and that there is less gas.

Pros

  • Authentic chicken as the primary element
  • Taurine, vitamins, and minerals are added.
  • It contains immune-supporting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
  • No wheat gluten, fillers, or poultry derivatives.

Cons

  • Includes both soy and corn
  • Some little dogs find the kibbles a touch too firm.

Causes Your Dog Might Not Be Eating

A few reasons why your dog may not be eating are as follows:

Feeding Circumstances: 

Dogs will sometimes not eat their food because of a change in their environment or how they are being fed. It might be uncomfortable for them in different ways. If your dog stopped eating recently, think about when that happened and if anything changed around that time. If it did, go back to how you were feeding them before and see if that makes a difference.

Hormonal Issues: 

Unspayed females are more likely to develop hormonal-related anorexia. Still, it can also happen in neutered males and spayed females. This type of selective eating usually comes and goes over time.

Drug Reaction: 

If your furry friend is on medication, this might make them not want to eat. It doesn’t have to be a drug they just started taking- it could be something they’ve been taking for a while. If this is the case, you should seek professional help for further assistance.

Teeth/Gums: 

If your furry friend is not eating, it may be because they are in pain. It can be from tooth problems or gum disease. If you think this may be the case, take your dog to a veterinarian for help. They will be able to give you a solution.

Medical Attention:

Another cause may be medical; if your dog is nauseous or in pain, it might not want to eat. If this is the situation, you need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can help you.

Picky Eater:

Some canines are inherently picky eaters! Some dogs are fussy eaters throughout their lives, even though this may sound humorous. If this is the situation, selecting the food they enjoy and serving it to them for as long as possible is essential.

Create Better Eating Habits In Your Dog

Hopefully, this will make them less picky about what they eat.

1. No Table Scraps

Do not give your dog food from your table. If you do, it may quit eating its regular dog food because it is not as salty as the food you feed. Furthermore, human food contains various compounds, such as spices and herbs, that are toxic to dogs.

2. Stick to a Schedule

Feeding puppies as recommended by your vet is essential. Puppies need to eat so they can grow big and strong. Adult dogs usually only need to eat once or twice a day but do it around the same time each day.

Ensure you do not leave food out for your pup for more than a short period. It will help them learn to eat everything when the bowl is filled.

3. Keep Your Food Separate

If you give your dog food from your plate, he will start to beg for food. It is because he will think it is okay to eat his and your food too.

4. Praise him

Praise your dog when he finishes his food. You can also scratch him behind the ears and pet him. He will be pleased and realize he did an excellent job because of this. Rewards do not have to mean treats, but you can give them to your dog occasionally if you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters

What Food Tastes Best to Dogs?

Studies have shown that most dogs prefer beef and pork over chicken and lamb. Dogs also prefer warm, moist foods over cold, dry foods. However, just like people, each dog has individual preferences.

Why Won’t My Dog Eat His Food But Will Eat Treats?

Some pets have health problems that make it hard to smell their food. These pets might not eat or only eat treats. Pets with lung diseases may find it difficult to breathe and eat simultaneously, so they might not want to eat.

Will a Picky Dog Eventually Eat?

If your dog doesn’t eat, put the food back up. It will eventually get hungry and eat it. If it still doesn’t, there might be a bigger problem that you need to take care of by going to the vet.

Why Is My Dog Being So Picky With Food?

Many possible explanations exist for why a dog might choose not to eat. If your dog is not eating, it is essential to talk to your vet. It is so that they can help determine if a health concern is causing this problem.

Is It OK to Mix Wet and Dry Dog Food?

That is why mixing dry and wet dog food is a good idea. Wet and dry food gives your dog a more balanced diet with a broader range of nutrients. It will help keep your dog healthy and give them different flavors and textures.

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