How To Get a Picky Puppy to Eat

You are here because you are a responsible pet parent. You want your puppy to grow into a strong, healthy dog, but you find yourself dealing with an untouched bowl because the little guy has turned out to be a picky eater.

It can be stressful, but don’t worry!

Picky eating in dogs is a common problem, and there are many simple solutions, as we will see below!

Best Methods To Get Them Eating

Warm Your Puppy’s Meal

Your puppy doesn’t want cold food any more than you want cold coffee. In fact, one of the easiest ways to get a picky puppy to eat is to warm up their meal.

Slightly warming food can increase its aroma and flavor, making it more appealing to your dog, especially if they are a picky eater, elderly, or recovering from illness.

Make Mealtimes Fun

Another way to get your fussy eater to eat is make mealtime fun using food puzzles, snuffle mats and slow feeder bowl. 

It makes eating feel like a game for your puppy!

You can also try hand feeding them a few bites during a training session, which helps to connect the food with a reward; something dogs love!

Try A Dog Food Topper

Sometimes regular food just won’t cut it. For a picky eater, dog food toppers can change the food bowl. It’s a simple concept—a little something extra on top just like you would add hot sauce to your plain rice to make it more appetizing. 

Adding a topper can make the food more palatable, add moisture and introduce new smells to the meal.

Some dog owners use a bone broth or with others prefer prepared meal topper products like DogSauce to save time. 

Create a Feeding Routine

Chaos breeds contempt - even for kibble! That's why you should stick consistent feeding schedule as it helps your dog’s body learn when to expect food. Give your furry friend its own food at the same time every day and it will learn the rhythm. On top of that be strict and make feeding time limited, this way your dog will learn it only has a limited time to eat.

If you want to know how to set up feeding schedules based on age, read our blog -  Dog feeding scedule by age!

Minimize Daily Treats

Treats are a dog’s currency and if you spend too freely, they lose their value. A dog full of snacks has no reason to be interested in their regular food. They learn to skip their regular food and hold out for the good stuff—the table scraps, the training bites you name it.

So use treats sparingly. According to the 90/10 rule, treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily calories, with the rest coming from their balanced meals.

Why Dog Food Toppers Are the Quickest Way to Get Your Puppy Eating Again

Of all the ways to make your dog’s diet more palatable, using dog food toppers like DogSauce is the no-brainer solution. A topper is ready to serve, which saves you a ton of prep time and eliminates the guesswork. 

Just open, pour on top of your dog’s kibble and watch your pup chow down. Besides being convenient for you as the pet parent:

• Toppers make meals irresistible by adding mouth-watering smells and tastes that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist

• Plain kibble is dry and boring but toppers spice things up and add much needed moisture to keep your pup hydrated

But there are tons of topper products out there, so how do you choose the right one? Good question! We recommend DogSauce meal topper as it’s made with human-grade ingredients and zero sketchy additives. 

DogSauce has bone broth and sweet potato puree as the main ingredients which will not only help your dog’s overall health but also make mealtimes fun again. It’s a superfood that helps a picky dog become happy eater!

Why Is Your Dog a Picky Eater? 8 Possible Reasons

Now that you know how to get your picky pup to eat, wouldn’t it be great to know why they are so finicky in the first place? Let’s get into a few reasons: 

Bored of Dry Kibble

Lets look at it from your dogs perspective - the same meal, day in, day out. The same brown pellets. 

Dogs, like us, can get bored. Their eating habits can be a protest against the mundane. Try mixing different protein options like chicken, beef, salmon or, as you might already know, add a tasty meal topper.

Your Puppy Might Not Like the Kibble Flavor

It’s possible your puppy just doesn’t like the flavor of their food because just like us, dogs have preferences. So if your dog consistently sniffs the bowl and walks away, the type of food might be the problem. You may need to try different proteins to find what works.

Sudden Changes in Food

A dog's digestive system is a creature of habit. Sudden changes to a new food can cause revolt—an upset stomach, gas, a general lack of appetite. 

If you're switching dog food, do it slowly. Transition over a week, mixing a little of the new stuff with the old, and gradually shift the ratio.

Adjustment to a New Home

Just got a new puppy? The new house, new smells, new people can be a lot for a little guy to handle. Stress and anxiety can kill a dog’s appetite.

They need a quiet spot, a calm corner where they can eat in peace away from the chaos until they settle in.

Holding Out for Treats

Dogs are smart creatures. If your puppy learns that refusing their own food gets them a piece of chicken, a treat or other human food, you’ve been outplayed. 

In other words, your dog has trained you better than you’ve trained them! 

They’ll happily ignore their kibble waiting for those table scraps. So, as we mentioned earlier, use treats sparingly and stick to a schedule.

Teething or Physical Discomfort

Another reason your puppy might be refusing to eat is if they are teething. Imagine trying to eat crunchy cereal while dealing with sore gums? Its the same for teething puppies and hard kibble. It can be painful to chew.

Make their life easier by softening the food with warm water or switching to wet food temporarily. Again, you can also add a tasty topper like DogSauce to make it more appealing while being gentle on those tender gums.

Side Effects of Vaccination

A puppy might feel off for a day or two after its shots. It's a common side effect. You might see a lower activity level and a loss of appetite.  As this is normal, we recommend being patient and keep giving them their regular meals. Their appetite should come back as they get better.

Parasites and Underlying Illness

Last but not least, a persistent lack of appetite could be a sign of something more serious like  Intestinal parasites, infections or underlying health issues. If the pickiness is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy or if you have any other health concerns its best to consult your vet asap.

FAQs About Picky Puppy Eating

How can I tell if my puppy is just being picky or if it's a health issue?

Picky behavior includes sniffing food but walking away, or only eating treats. Health problems show up as weight loss, vomiting, unusual tiredness. If eating problems last more than two days, see a vet.

Is it normal for puppies to be picky eaters?

In most cases yes! Teething, new environments, changing routines and other reasons as discussed above can all create feeding challenges for small puppies. 

Will a picky puppy eventually eat if you don’t give in?

Some puppies will eventually eat, but don't gamble with their health. Small breeds especially risk low blood sugar from missed meals. Call your vet if your pup skips more than one feeding.

Can adding human food to dog food create a picky eater?

It can. Once they get a taste for your food, they might decide their own isn't good enough, making them refuse to eat. Stick to food and toppers formulated for dogs.

Can too many treats cause picky eating?

Yes! Your puppy might start ignoring their food on purpose if treats are more fun than regular meals so use treats sparingly.

Where to Buy DogSauce for Picky Eaters

You can find DogSauce at retail stores like Walmart or order directly from our website for home delivery. 

How should I add DogSauce to my puppy’s food?

You can drizzle over their dry food or mix into their wet food. We recommend adding one ounce per 25-pound animal to every meal.

Will DogSauce improve my dog’s appetite?

Yes! DogSauce is made with tasty human grade ingredients like bone broath and sweet potato puree that will activate your dogs canine instincts and will get the pickiest eaters to eat their meals.

Why is my dog eating treats but not food?

It's learned behavior mixed with biological preference. Treats taste better, smell better, and come with emotional rewards. Limit treats and use toppers to make regular meals competitive again.