Every owner has to coax their dogs into eating now and again. Most four-legged fluffs go through periods where they don’t fancy food. Sometimes this can be due to illness. At other times, it’s because they know we’ve tried to hide pills in their meal. In the majority of cases, though, starvation doesn’t last long. One dog only has so much willpower, after all, and those kibbles look too damn tasty!
But, what happens if your dog never seems to get stuck into meals? In some cases, a dog can be picky by nature. Often, this is down to breed. As you can see from this yorkies care guide, yorkies are often fussy eaters. Bulldogs, golden retrievers, and others are also renowned for being picky with food. And, this can cause owners no end of strife.
For the most part, we deal with this by trying every food on the market until we find one our dog’s like. The trouble is, they then go off that if they have it too much. It’s a never ending problem, and it’s one you could tackle by making dog food from scratch. It may seem like a lot of hassle, but it won’t be any worse than traipsing from one pet shop to the other. Even better, ensuring homemade food goes down a treat is as simple as focusing on these key ingredients.
Meat
Even fussy eaters would be hard pressed to turn their nose up to a good bit of cooked meat. This is where they get the bulk of their protein, and it’s also where flavor comes into play. Sadly, shop bought options don’t make use of this. They either use meat no one would recognize or compact it into unappealing hard squares. Cooking up fresh meat, then, could be all it takes to break that eating barrier.
Fresh veggies
A plain plate of meat isn’t going to provide all the nutrients your pup needs. If in doubt about this, contact a vet to learn more about dietary requirements. For the most part, though, bulking meals with veg will ensure your dog stays healthy. It’ll also take you a long way in flavor stakes. Options such as carrots, peas, and even broccoli feature in most shop bought foods. And, they should make an appearance in your homemade options. What dog could resist that beautiful splash of color?
Fat
Last, you need to hold food together, and fat is the ideal way to do it. Meat fat is your best bet, though vegetable oils and such can work as well. The key to remember is that fat may sound bad, but it’s crucial for your dog’s health. It also adds an irresistible flavor even a Yorkie would have a hard time saying no to.
So, those are your staples. By mixing up these three key features, you can create a new recipe every day. That variety, along with the flavors on offer, could make fussy eating a thing of your dog’s past.
I don’t have a dog right now, but I love listening to my sister telling me stories about her dog, what she likes and doesn’t, she can be really fussy!!
I have never seen a dog that was picky but I have a cat that is. This is full of great information!
I actually wish I had this problem – I have the opposite problem: my dog eats EVERYTHING! Including the my other dog’s feces!!! ☹️
My senior dog can get picky at times. I would add rice or meat but then she wouldn’t eat just plain dog food. Now she gets rice and/or meat in bone broth AFTER she finishes her dog food.