Reviewing Picky Eater Dog Food — Is It Paw Licking Good?

Dogs have incredible noses and exceptional intuitive abilities, so it’s of no surprise if they were to smell ingredients in their present diet they aren’t happy with. 

A picky eater dog food seems a reasonable solution, but what if your dog refuses that, too? Then, you can ask us for help. 

We carefully reviewed and analyzed brands to give you everything you need to know about the finest dog food for your fussy munchkin.

Methodology

The first step towards finding palatable food is knowing what to look for. Our methodology consists of six factors: 

Top Ingredients

The top five ingredients in dog food have the highest nutritional content. Ideally, the first component of the recipe should always be real meat. In most recipes below, you’ll find mainly chicken. Some had beef, turkey, and cod, followed by veggies and organic oats. 

AAFCO Guidelines

It’s best if your food for fussy dogs has AAFCO (Association of American Food Control Officials)  approval, meaning it’s certified as complete and balanced. The good news is that many recipes, mostly the fresh ones, have this guarantee. 

Guaranteed Analysis

If you want to know the exact nutritional content, check the guaranteed analysis. Our top picks are full of proteins, the highest being 38%. The fat levels are also fairly low, between 5%–15%. Fiber is up to 6%, and moisture is around 10%. 

Extra Nutrients

Extra nutrients could contribute to luxurious skin and coat, healthy digestion, strong immunity, and lean muscle mass. Such additional nutrients include omega fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

Price

The tastiest dog food isn’t always the priciest. Still, the most expensive brands are the closest to homemade meals — fresh dog food services. Plus, many come with high discounts upon first purchase. More affordable options include dry kibble and canned food.

Customer Opinions

If you’re looking for dog food for picky eaters, reviews of real customers are a deciding factor. We always appreciate their honesty and aim to include their opinions in our articles. 

The Farmer’s Dog Subscription

The Farmer’s Dog boasts over 100,000,000 delivered meals. The subscription service makes customizable, balanced, and fresh dog food. Everything’s cooked in USDA kitchens under AAFCO standards. Also, the food is free from meat meals, preservatives, and highly processed brown pellets. 

The company tests its recipe on humans and packs it in eco-friendly packaging. It could easily be top-shelf dog food for fussy eaters as the personalized plans are vet-designed, pre-made, and pre-portioned to fit your dog’s needs. Plus, the subscription offers free and flexible deliveries, nationwide shipping, and adjustable orders.

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Why we choose this product: The Farmer’s Dog delivers food that exceeds AAFCO’s standards for healthy nutrition. It’s the ideal dog food for picky dogs with human-grade meat and veggies.

Bil-Jac Picky No More Dry Dog Food

Bo-Jac has been solving picky eater problems for over 70 years, so this persnickety recipe with chicken liver is worth considering. The 6 lb package contains 5 lb of fresh, farm-raised chicken. Also, the company slow-cooks the meat at moderate temperatures, which preserves the essential nutrients and delicious flavor.

The recipe includes chicken, chicken by-products, cornmeal, chicken by-product meal, and dried beet pulp. It’s high in amino acids like arginine and leucine, so it’s the ideal tasting dry dog food for a small dog picky eater that needs an immunity boost. The naturally produced fatty acids contribute to a lustrous coat. 

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Why we choose this product: Bil-Jac offers dog food with high-quality chicken liver. It’s made with fresh chicken and slow-cooked to bring out the best in your dog’s immunity. 

The Honest Kitchen Dog Food

Honest Kitchen is the world’s first human-grade food for pets. It meets the same strict quality control and safety standards as food for people. Also, it’s made in human food facilities. You can serve it to your dog as a complete and balanced meal or as a food topper. 

Some call it the tastiest dry dog food. It contains dehydrated chicken, organic barley, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, and organic oats. It’s wholesome homemade food — all it takes is water to stir it up. Honest Kitchen also contains plenty of vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients. Plus, it’s free from preservatives, by-products, and fillers. Besides, it comes with a quality guarantee. 

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Why we choose this product: It’s made with human-grade ingredients in human food facilities. Plus, Honest Kitchen is so confident your dog will love this food that it offers a 100% money-back guarantee. 

Orijen Dry Dog Food

Orijen is biologically appropriate nutrition made of 85% premium animal ingredients. Its whole prey diet consists of meat, organs, cartilage, and bone. Also, the first five ingredients are chicken, turkey, Atlantic flounder, whole eggs, and whole Atlantic mackerel. 

The food is made in the US and uses quality ingredients from around the world. Also, they’re unprocessed, making them an ideal source of essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Since it’s a whole prey diet, this is the best dog food for finicky eaters that prefer a raw taste.

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Why we choose this product: Orijen is a pioneer in whole prey diets. Its kitchens are awkward-winning, and the recipes contain 85% biologically appropriate animal ingredients. 

A Pup Above Texas Beef Stew

A Pup Above offers your dog a Texas stew with beef, beef liver, tomatoes, green peas, and carrots. It’s also stacked with superfoods like turmeric, thyme, and parsley. The gravy is yummy, natural, and rich in collagen and amino acids. 

Unlike regular canned foods, the Texas Beef Stew comes without thickeners, gums, natural flavors, salt, preservatives, or high-heat processing. So it might be the best tasting dog food for picky eaters that go wild for wet food. The high-nutritional value aids weight management, healthier muscles, skin, and joints. If proven otherwise, A Pup Above will refund your order. 

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Why we choose this product: Texas Beef Stew uses single-source protein and superfoods, including non-GMO veggies. The ingredients are human-grade, and the gravy is rich in collagen and amino acids. 

Nutro Ultra Senior Paté Wet Dog Food

Nutro Ultra offers a nutritious paté for adult and senior dogs. The recipe is grain-free and contains human-grade ingredients. The paté combines superfoods with a trio of proteins: chicken, lamb, and whitefish.

The first five components are chicken, chicken liver, chicken broth, spinach, and tomatoes. It contains no meat by-products, soy, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or artificial colors. So it might be the best food for a picky eater dog that enjoys food toppers. Also, you can still use it as a whole meal. 

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Why we choose this product: We love that the paté is human-grade and non-GMO. Also, the first ingredient is a high-quality protein, followed by a blend of superfoods that are 100% grain-free. 

Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine

Nom Nom is a fresh dog food subscription for meal plans or one-time food potions. The meals are never frozen, and the company prepares them up to one week before delivery. Also, everything’s pre-portioned, saving you the hassle of measuring and making a mess.

The Chicken Cuisine recipe is the best-tasting dog food for picky eaters with digestive problems. Nom Nom cooks each ingredient at low temperatures and mixes it into a complete and balanced meal. The recipe consists of diced chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, and sunflower oil,  all sourced from trusted US suppliers. Plus, the food arrives in fully-recyclable packaging. 

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Why we choose this product: Nom Nom cooks its meals days before you receive them. The ingredients are cooked individually to preserve their nutrition and stay gentle on dogs’ tummies. Also, the pre-portioned food guarantees mess-free servings.

Nulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Dry Dog Food

Nulo FreeStyle provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. The recipe contains deboned cod, followed by turkey and salmon meal, lentils, and yellow peas. 

The natural ingredients are rich in dietary fiber to satisfy hunger. Also, Nulo improves gastrointestinal health due to its pure probiotic strain. Thanks to the L-carnitine, this recipe is the best dry dog food for a picky eater with weight issues.

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Why we choose this product: Nulo FreeStyle ensures a protein-rich diet with its animal-sourced first three ingredients. It’s a low-fat recipe with natural fibers. Plus, it contains L-carnitine and pure probiotic strain.  

Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly

Blue Buffalo’s Blissful Belly is a highly digestible mix that’s easy on the stomach and aids your dog’s stool. The main ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, whitefish, chicken liver, and potatoes. 

The wet pet food has high moisture content to help pets with daily hydration. Plus, the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help nourish the skin, while vitamins E and C boost immunity. Because the prebiotic fiber is clinically proven to enhance digestive health, this is the best wet dog food for a picky eater with gastrointestinal issues.

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Why we choose this product: The chicken-first recipe contains highly-digestible ingredients and prebiotic fiber. Also, it has the added benefits of vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids. 

Wellness Core Natural Dry Puppy Food

Wellness Core provides grain-free and protein-rich nutrition for healthy puppy development. The recipe includes deboned turkey, chicken meal, peas, turkey meal, and lentils. Also, it’s free from meat by-products, corn, wheat, soy, eggs, and artificial preservatives.

Wellness Core’s puppy formula supports eye and brain health with DHA from salmon oil. Plus, it’s fortified with vitamins and minerals to support immunity. The recipe’s 53% high-protein ingredients make it the best tasting puppy food for high-energy needs.

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Why we choose this product: Wellness Core’s high protein content contributes to leaner body mass and muscles. Plus, the food comes with prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health. 

Buyer’s Guide

Reading reviews can get overwhelming, but you must make a choice. We’re here to help. 

How to Choose the Tastiest Dog Food? 

Here are the crucial details to consider when picking the ideal tasting dog food.

Texture & Flavor 

What type of flavor does your pooch go nuts about? Observe its reaction and use that to your advantage next time you’re shopping. You can find something for each taste — yummy kibble, juicy canned meals, fresh recipes, and delicious patés. 

Age & Size

Dogs of different breeds, sizes, and ages have specific nutritional needs. Some puppies need more calcium and protein to grow properly, whereas seniors need less fat to maintain their weight. If your dog falls into one of these groups or is a specific breed, check our blog for more information that will help you find good food for it.

Dietary Restrictions

Picky dog food has more superpowers than you might suspect. It’s gentle on digestion and ensures the coat stays shiny and healthy. Talk to your veterinarian and choose a meal that best fits your dog’s dietary restrictions. 

Budget

How much are you willing to spend on your dog’s pickiness? Before you go for the most expensive brand, consider the cheaper options. High prices don’t always guarantee the most palatable meals. 

What Makes a Dog Food Suitable for Picky Eaters?

The ultimate recipe for good-tasting dog food exists. Companies have faith in it, so we do, too.

First and foremost, real meat protein is a must for picky eaters. The fat content is also essential as finicky pets need more calories to gain weight. Also, tasty veggies make the meal more diverse and flavorsome. Carrots, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, peas, and squash are only a few examples of diversity and extra nutrition. To sum up, recipes for picky eaters need to be as natural and as human-grade as possible. 

How to Tell if Your Dog Is a Picky Eater

Picky dogs don’t finish their food within a specific time, generally about 20 minutes. Table scraps are more palatable to them than the actual picky eater dog food. Also, many such dogs knock over their dishes out of boredom when they lose interest. 

But that’s not all. Anxiety, loneliness, social and emotional disruptions in a pet’s daily routine might also contribute to your dog’s lack of appetite.

Why Are Some Dogs Picky Eaters?

There are two types of dogs — those that live to eat and others that eat to live. The truth is that some dogs are pickier because of a personal preference. They know exactly what they want and won’t settle for less. 

Lack of appetite may also indicate an underlying behavioral issue. Your dog could just be messing with you out of boredom or for attention. Also, some do it out of loneliness when their separation anxiety kicks in. 

Still, your dog might also ignore the smell of yummy dog food because of an underlying health problem. Allergies, bad digestion, painful teeth, parasites, or tumors, can all cause a lack of appetite. That’s why it’s crucial to discuss your dog’s pickiness with a vet. 

Breeds Prone to Pickiness

Are you curious to find out what breeds usually turn their nose at their food? You may end up finding your favorite.

Here are some breeds that love to pick their food: 

• Malteses are toy dogs, so they don’t require much food to feel content. Still, if yours is picky, you may need to praise it during mealtimes. Also, consider the kibble size because their jaws are very tiny.
• Boston Terriers commonly suffer from digestive problems, so it’s normal for them to be pickier than most. Consider a picky eater dog food brand that goes easy on digestion or a grain-free recipe. 
• Bichon Frise is an allergy-prone breed, resulting in pickiness. Offer it complete and balanced recipes, fresh meals, and single-ingredient dog food. 
• English Cocker Spaniels are masters of pickiness. They adore a balanced, meat-based diet, so keep their food real, natural, and high in protein. 
• Dachshunds become fussy eaters if you don’t raise them right. Try not to make them accustomed to a wide range of options.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels could spend days without eating. The best tasting dog food for these beauties is frozen, canned, or freeze-dried, with human-grade components and fresh veggies.
• Greyhounds don’t handle changes well, so turbulent life events might turn them into finicky eaters. They also require less food as they get older.
• French Bulldogs refuse to eat and get uncomfortable for all sorts of reasons, including eating from an inappropriate feeding bowl.
• Pekingese dogs are notorious for blackmailing their owners for extra treats. While many pet parents fall into this trap, it’s harmful to the dog’s health.
• Poodles are typically less food-oriented. They only munch on highly palatable dog food when they’re starving. Poodles may be fussy if their appetites are satisfied by too many snacks between meals.
• West Highland White Terriers can be picky eaters, too. You may need to coax them into eating or add treats, seasoning, or sauce to make the food more palatable. For instance, you can add a bit of home-cooked food or canned food to the kibble.
• Pugs are rarely considered picky eaters, but many suffer from dietary allergies and intolerances. They’re also prone to obesity. A grain-free and single ingredient kibble may be the right choice for this breed. 

While these are the most popular picky eaters, that doesn’t mean all Poodles, Pugs, or Frenchies will be like that. Sometimes pet owners provoke such behavior, so be careful how you train your dog around food. 

At a Glance — Summarizing the Dog Food That Dogs Love

The Farmer’s Dog Subscription: Best overall

Bil-Jac Picky No More Dry Dog Food: Chicken liver small breed recipe

The Honest Kitchen Dog Food: Whole grain chicken recipe

Orijen Dry Dog Food: Whole prey diet

A Pup Above Texas Beef Stew: Beef fresh food 

Nutro Ultra Senior Paté Wet Dog Food: Senior & adult wet recipe

Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine: Chicken fresh food

Nulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Dry Dog Food: Weight management recipe

Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly: Digestion recipe

Wellness Core Natural Dry Puppy Food: Finest tasting puppy food for picky eaters

Tips for Dealing With Picky Eaters

When it comes to mealtime, fussy eaters are uncompromising. Here’s what you can do:

• Stick to a feeding schedule. Your dog should know when it’s time to eat. If it doesn’t touch the food for 30 minutes, take the bowl and don’t feed it until the next mealtime. 
• Don’t free-feed your dog. You may end up overfeeding it to the point that it’s no longer interested in its food. 
• Warm the food. Before serving, microwave the food. That way, you’ll enhance the smell and taste, making it more appealing. 
• Add water. Consider mixing your dog picky eater food with some warm water and stir it up to release the tasty aroma. 
• Mix dry and wet food. The best wet dog food to mix with dry should be high in moisture and tasty in flavor. Mixing the two results in a flavorsome meal full of nutrients.
• Don’t give table scraps. Teach your dog the difference between human and dog food. Otherwise, you may end up giving something toxic to your dog or overfeeding it. 
• Add an element of fun. Dogs are predators, and they love mental stimulation. Treat dispensers, puzzles, and snuffle mats are all excellent ideas to enhance their appetite. 
• Try a different source of protein. Sometimes dogs get bored of chicken and beef. Consider a recipe with venison, salmon, rabbit, or turkey. 
• Add some cooked chicken chunks. The dry dog food for a picky eater is irresistible when mixed with real chunks of meat. Just make sure it doesn’t contain any bones before adding it to the kibble. 
• Make the food yourself. You can follow an easy homemade dog food recipe that your dog simply won’t be able to resist. Plus, it can be cheaper than most high-quality brands on the market.
• Provide more exercise. A fully exercised dog has a greater appetite. Also, make sure to provide high protein food to make up for the burned calories. 

When Is Picky Eating a Cause for Concern?

Before you proclaim your dog as a picky eater, make sure your pet is healthy. 

If your dog has always been a good eater but suddenly lost weight, that’s a reason for concern. Also, if the diminished appetite results in vomiting or diarrhea, it’s time to visit the veterinarian. 

Problems with the teeth or mouth can make eating tasty dog food challenging even for the hungriest dogs. So check your pet’s mouth regularly for sores, growths, bad teeth, or foreign objects that might cause pain or discomfort.

Overall, when in doubt, visit the vet. Once any problems have been diagnosed and treated, your dog’s appetite should return.

Alternatives & Additions

The following items make dog food even more appetizing:

• Zesty Paws offers mouth-watering meals and helps pets look as good as they feel. Its Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil on Amazon is a premium source of omega-3 fatty acids that promote skin health along with soft, shiny, and healthy coats.
• Food toppers are another healthy way to make dog food taste better. We like Flavors Food Topper & Gravy for Dogs on Amazon since it’s an excellent low-calorie solution for improving hydration and enticing picky eaters. 
• A food enhancer sauce transforms fussy eater dog food into a delicacy. Apart from that, Alpha Chef Dog Food Topper Sauce on Amazon ensures proper immune function, healthy hearts, shiny coats, and increased energy. 
• Triggering your dog’s instincts with mental stimulation is another trick to enhance its appetite. We like the LOOBANI Dogs Food Puzzle Feeder Toys on Amazon. It’s made of spinnable leakage bottles with adjustable height, secured on a bamboo base. 
• For the born predators, we suggest boosting cognitive development with the iHeartDogs Sniff Diggy Snuffle Mat on Amazon. All you need to do is stuff the mat with your pup’s favorite treats and enjoy the hunt.

So what’s the best food for your picky pet? Let’s find out.

Final Thoughts: We Found the Best of The Best

Eating is among the highlights of a dog’s day, and it should stay that way. 

Picky eaters make feeding quite demanding, but they can’t seem to resist The Farmer’s Dog fresh food. So what makes it to be the best food for picky dogs? A few aspects include the high-quality ingredients, customization for most dog health conditions, good customer service, and eco-friendly packaging. Plus, the meals are human-grade and slow-cooked in USDA-approved facilities before being flash-frozen.

Meals that are the closest to homemade food are ideal for picky eaters. Still, if you know where to look, you can also find the best natural dog food in cans and kibbles. 

FAQ

How to get a picky dog to eat?

We recommend putting the food out in the morning and taking it away after 15 to 30 minutes. Repeat every mealtime. Also, try to stick to the same formula for consistency. 

Do dogs get bored of their food?

Humans have 9000 taste receptors, whereas dogs have only 1700, so they aren’t as enthusiastic about food as we are. When dogs don’t eat their kibble, that’s typically due to attention-seeking, exhaustion, or waiting for something better.

What to add to dry dog food for picky eaters?

You can choose from a wide range of food toppings. For instance, Honest Kitchen offers a whole grain chicken meal with delicious human-grade ingredients. You can combine the picky eater dog food topper with the kibble and add some warm water.