Lizzy’s Wisdom:
Decoding the Picky Dog
As BioStar’s Canine Product Specialist and the person offering complimentary consultations for dog owners, I frequently hear about picky eaters.
In most cases, the owners tried to upgrade their dog’s diet to include fresh food or a new supplement, and the dog just didn’t go for it. Sometimes dogs truly are getting too many supplements, which can also contribute to dogs becoming picky.
Adding a supplement to an already picky dog’s bowl might cause them to hesitate, resulting in the dog digging in his heels and declining dinner altogether. Whether your dog is sensitive to change or has a palate firmly hooked on ultra-processed feed, this process can be stressful.
BUT, it doesn’t have to be! Understanding your dog’s preferences and incorporating compassionate strategies at mealtime can help even the fussiest of dogs enjoy their food.
Lizzy’s two Aussies: Chewie (left) and Bravo (right)
Dogs prefer…
“He’s just picky,” you might say.
OR, your dog just has preferences!
For example: my two Aussies, Bravo and Chewie, give lamb and fish major thumbs down 👎. Duck is so-so. They believe beef is King 👑, with pork and bison being close seconds. Rabbit is a truly beloved treat. Turkey and chicken are good options for them, too. Rotating proteins has always worked for these two, along with incorporating a variety of textures in their meals and treats (such as freeze-dried food and Carna4’s tasty baked nuggets).
Still, they’re quirky.
Bravo won’t eat a meal with any type of supplement mixed in without gradual exposure. He needs to start with a sprinkle of something new as an invitation to smell and taste something. If he doesn’t want to eat it, and it is not absolutely necessary that he eats it, I accept his “No!” It is a constant process to check in with Bravo. This process has created less of a preferential eater over time and a dog who now trusts what is in his bowl.
Making meatballs containing the absolute minimum of additions and fed away from mealtime also works when incorporating new products into Bravo’s feeding routine. He watches me make them, sniffing each ingredient, and eats them willingly. These ingredients end up in the bowl once he’s accepted them.
The vivacious Chewie!
For Chewie, my younger Aussie, eating in new environments is so exciting! Eating does not get top priority when he is stressed. Changes in routine or changes of feeding location have also deterred him from eating. With careful confidence building, he can now adjust to new places and routines and eat in a relaxed state.
Both of my dogs (and myself) are social eaters. They love watching me prepare their meals and being included in the kitchen. Both prefer to eat if I am relaxed and nearby. Sometimes it is as simple as hanging out in a neutral state without making a big deal of it.
Their preferences do not make them picky.
More than just a preference
Bravo went through a long phase of not eating breakfast. When fed at lunch or dinner time, he ate normally. It ended up being a multi-faceted issue.
His eating pattern was partially related to weak digestion. With diet changes, acupressure, and Chinese herbs, Bravo (and his appetite) recovered from this brilliantly!
Bravo demonstrating eating from a DIY elevated surface!
The other issue was more subtle; it seemed that it was related to the posture of eating from floor-level. Though there was nothing obvious, he hesitated when he lowered his head all the way down. It was worse in the morning and after rest. Why was Bravo feeling less limber? We did rule out lameness, and several vets had not found any issue.
Despite his digestive system being in better shape and him regaining regular morning-time hunger, Bravo still didn’t want breakfast. I had a feeling to elevate his bowl with a cardboard box atop a yoga mat. Lo and behold: Bravo ate breakfast without issue and so willingly! Mid-foreleg height seemed to bring him the most comfort.
This prompted me to whisk him off to a more savvy vet — with a better eye and better hands — to evaluate him. Soft tissue pain around his elbows was one issue. Diagnostics, specialists, a vet chiropractor, and acupuncture were the answers to help ease his discomfort.
When is it time for a vet check?
Healthy dogs may skip a meal or two. Assuming they’re hydrated, that’s usually okay! However, it may be time to check with your vet if…
They skip multiple meals.
They’re showing signs of stress.
You’re feeling uneasy about their eating patterns.
Above all else, chronically picky or newly picky dogs need a vet check.
The Six T’s
Knowing what triggers your dog’s pickiness can help determine whether your dog is uncomfortable and/or just has preferences when eating.
Tactile/technical issues
Tactile/technical issuesA bowl sliding or making noise on a hard floor can be bothersome for sensitive dogs, as well as paws sliding on slick floors. Eating in a corner can amplify sounds, and not being able to see all around them can create stress.*
As it was with Bravo, subtle pain may not be obvious, and it can cause some issues with getting into a comfortable posture to eat. Elevating the food to mid-foreleg length will give you a clue; eating better at this height means off to the vet to see what hurts.
Bowl Cozy | Image courtesy of BasisPet.com Make the feeding area non-slip with a yoga mat or a sticky-backed bath mat If feeding from a bowl, try adding a Bowl Cozy from Basis Products Switch to a platter, a slow feeder, or a bowl (i.e. try serving food in a manner that is opposite of what your dog is used to) Raise the eating platform by placing the feeder on top of a cardboard box to rule out (or rule in) front-end pain
*Learn more from the experts at Mine Pet Platter!
Time of day
Time of dayA chronically low morning-time appetite may indicate weak digestive fire, or “agni,” in Ayurvedic terms. Optimal digestive power is strongest past the morning hours, which is why the heaviest meals are traditionally eaten mid-day. Without adequate energy or fire in the stomach, food is not digested optimally. It might stagnate in the stomach, taking longer than normal to be digested.
These factors can lead to other issues down the line. They might also cause a dog to feel slightly uncomfortable after eating, therefore creating a negative association with what’s in the bowl.
Experiment with feeding late in the morning or around lunchtime. If your dog then gobbles his food eagerly at those times, you’re onto something!
Temperature/texture
Temperature/textureWarm food creates enticing odors and may be easier to digest, as the body does not need to warm it. This is an efficient way to assist the digestive process in older dogs and dogs with weak digestion.
Texture preferences are also a consideration, given the attractive crunch of kibble. Soupy food turns off some dogs. I’ve found that most dogs like their food made to a texture similar to thick oatmeal.
Ingredients in Lizzy’s bone broth for dogs! Add hot water from a kettle, letting it cool to a comfortable temperature before serving Put the food into a warm water bath using a jar or a zipper bag Sauté the food in a little water or coconut oil Mix in warm bone broth (find my recipe here!) For dogs into crunchy or dry food, add a freeze-dried topper (like these from smallbatch®) and slowly add liquid until you find the right texture
Taste
TasteDogs can smell one teaspoon of sugar dissolved in a water body the size of two Olympic-sized swimming pools. Food supplements medications one bowl a carnival of tastes. For some dogs, it is sensory overload; for others, it’s no big deal.
Do I want all of my daily supplements mixed into my delicious dinner? No thanks!
Mix must-have supplements into a tasty tidbit, like a meatball or pill hider (check out The Forever Dog Life Book for recipes!). This is an appetizer, not to be served with the main course. Sardines, mackerel, or salmon in water are all good mixers.
Free the meal from “supplement pollution,” and keep the meal just food, nothing extra.
Just a “Titch”
There are dogs who take longer to eat something new. Start with just a “titch” (a smidge, a pinch) of the new supplement, gradually increasing to the full suggested amount and giving your dog time to acclimate to the smell and taste.
Rest assured, BioStar’s canine supplements are well-accepted by most dogs, even when started at the full suggested amount.
Trust
TrustWhen serving a meal, it is vital to feel confident about what you have chosen to feed your dog. If you feel hesitant while serving a supplement or new food, stop! Feeding the dog something you are not sure about may contribute to your dog’s gastronomic experience (as well as your own stress).
When choosing things to add to your dog’s bowl, add each item one at a time and see how your dog responds. Does this feel right for your dog? If not, it might mean more information is needed or, simply, your intention for feeding it needs reconsidering. It could also mean that it is not a good fit for your dog at this time. It may have nothing to do with the quality of the food or supplement. Rather, it is about other factors. This is your intuition talking; it’s a source of communication between you and your dog.
In short, when feeding picky dogs…
I do not recommend:
Sprinkling food with treats
Coaxing or making eating a big deal
I do recommend:
Feeding in an area that is quiet, open, and free of stress
Creating a feeding routine
Preparing your dog’s food with love and serving it with confidence
– Photos of Bravo and Chewie are credited to Lizzy Meyer
About the Author: Lizzy Meyer, BioStar’s Canine Product Specialist, has a real knack for explaining the nutrition basics for dogs and how every dog can benefit from supplementing with whole foods. She loves helping dog owners learn about the power of a whole food diet and enjoys working with customers who have dogs with special needs. Lizzy has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology, blending science with a truly holistic approach. Find out more about Lizzy here!
