The Best Dog Food Options for Picky Eaters, According to a Vet

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If your pooch is a picky eater, you know that mealtimes can be an absolute struggle. Besides the fact that your pup is not getting a nutritionally balanced diet to support its growth, there's also the constant fear that it may be losing or gaining too much weight, which could eventually lead to health complications. So the best thing to do when dealing with a fussy eater is to get to the root of the problem ASAP. "If a dog has a picky appetite, I always tell patients to make sure that their dog doesn't have an underlining disease," says Dr. Carly Fox, Staff Doctor at NYC's Animal Medical Center. "Get your pets seen by their vets immediately, make sure routine bloodwork is carried out, followed by an exam to rule out anything that could be systemically wrong or causing their appetite to suffer." Once that's ruled out, it's time to put healthy eating habits in place.

"Fussy food habits can also just be a behavioral problem," says Dr. Fox. "Maybe your dog likes variety or needs to switch their diet from wet food to dry food or vice versa." And if you do decide to push toward a new diet, Dr. Fox recommends doing it gradually over the course of three to five days, which gives your dog enough time to get accustomed to new flavors and textures. You could also experiment with adding moist toppers to dry kibble to make it more palatable. "But if your dog has a sensitive stomach like mine does, I recommend picking a prescription diet from commercial food brands like Hill's Science to help regulate his GI tract," Dr. Fox adds. "And he does find it very delicious, which is always a plus."

For many pet parents dealing with picky eaters, there's also the constant fear of overfeeding to compensate for your pet's fussy food habits. If that sounds familiar, you'll want to heed extreme caution before you offer a treat or overfill their bowl. "Obesity is a huge problem in our pet population and can shorten a dog's lifespan up to two years," says Dr. Fox. "It also puts them at risk of developing other diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes, urinary stones and several other complications." She recommends following a strict feeding schedule to make sure your dog is trim and fit, followed by regular weight checkups. You should also stick to the feeding chart at the back of your dog's food package for the recommended amount they need to based on their age and weight. "Your dogs can't go to the cupboard to feed themselves, so it's really up to the pet owners to feed them in a healthy way," she adds.

Picking Treats, Understanding CBD and Serving Table Food

When it comes to choosing treats, it's imperative to pick low-calorie options. If the treats are coming from your fridge, choose vegetables like carrots, snap peas, cauliflower and broccoli. If you're shopping for treats at a pet store like Petco, Chewy or Amazon, pick low-calorie or dehydrated options that are made using just a handful of ingredients. "Giving too many treats can also lead to fussy food habits," cautions Dr. Fox. "So you should be very careful about what you're picking."

With the recent trend of adding CBD to everything from pet treats to meal options, it may be tempting to give it to your pooch, especially since it's thought to be helpful for pets with joint diseases or other health conditions. But Dr. Fox recommends avoiding the CBD aisle. "Anecdotally, it sounds promising, and it will have a place in vet medicine at some point soon, but currently it's completely irregulated," she adds.

As for the table food, "it's a complete no-no," says Dr. Fox. Replacing dog food with human-grade food options from your refrigerator can cause gastrointestinal upsets, even inadvertently leading to toxicity. "If you give your dog a little chicken on top of their commercially available dog food, that's fine, but it's considered a treat and not highly recommended," she cautions.

Best Vet-Approved Meal Subscription Services for Picky Eaters

Best Food Brands for Fussy Eaters

3. Lucy Pet Formulas For Life

The surprising pairing of fresh flavors like salmon, pumpkin and quinoa is rather delicious and palatable to even the fussiest pooch. Additionally, the grain-free formula is carefully designed to support gut health, digestive health and sensitive stomachs. The addition of Alaskan salmon also supports a healthy coat and skin. The brand offers several interesting flavor pairings along with delicious, low-calorie treats.

Shop: Lucy Pet Formulas for Life

Source: apartmenttherapy.com