What’s the Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters?

by Hannah Roundy

dog food for picky eaters

Kick picky palates once and for all with dog food for fussy eaters.

Pet parenting is no easy feat. Any given dog parent is constantly balancing daily walks, grooming, poop pickups, and training time. Nutrition is another concern when you add a picky eater into the mix. 

Like every living thing, dogs need food to be their happiest, healthiest selves. If they don’t eat, they won’t get the nutrients they need to thrive. Instead of motivating them to eat brittle, flavorless kibble, let’s review how dog food for picky eaters can revive your pup’s appetite. 

Why is my dog a picky eater? 

Like humans, dogs have individual palates and taste preferences. A tasty treat to one dog might be inedible to another. If there’s a picky pup in your home, you’re not alone. A recent study found that roughly 50% of dog parents struggle to get their pup to eat their meals. 

The cause of picky eating in dogs varies from pup to pup. Some breeds are naturally more selective about food than others. Yorkies, Maltese, Dachshunds, and other toy breeds tend to be fussy eaters. Other breeds, like Labrador Retrievers, are extremely food-motivated and will eat just about anything. 

Dogs can experience low appetites if they are anxious, bored, or lonely. If your pup has been eating the same food for years and suddenly stops, odds are they just need some variety in their diet. Some dogs are fussy eaters for no reason at all! 

In some cases, low appetite can be a sign of an underlying illness. But this usually occurs when dogs suddenly lose their interest in eating. If you have a consistently picky pup, odds are there’s nothing wrong – they’re just selective. 

How to Get a Dog to Eat

It’s fairly common for dogs to be unappetized by what’s in their bowls. Many dog parents have turned to adding whole food, bone broth, or treats to their pup’s food. In extreme cases, even tantalizing toppers can’t motivate the fussiest of dogs to eat. 

If you’re wondering how to get a dog to eat regular meals, there’s an easier way. Brands like Sundays offer food for picky dogs with recipes designed to please your pup. 

Finding the Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters

Dog parents have enough to worry about. Mealtimes should be nutritious, seamless, and drama-free. Instead of wasting time and money on toppers, try feeding your pup dog food for fussy eaters. 

What’s in the best dog food for picky eaters? Let’s review the best qualities of dog food for fussy eaters. 

Ingredients Matter!

Look for recipes with real meat and whole food ingredients. Low-quality commercial dog food typically contains meat meals or by-products. These are cheaper protein sources and many pups can taste the difference. Think of how imitation cheese tastes versus real cheese. 

Gently Cooked vs. Highly Processed

Ingredients aside, manufacturing and cooking methods can also impact the taste of your pup’s food. Kibble, for example, is cooked through a method called hot extrusion. This puts the food pellets under extreme heat and pressure, resulting in a brittle bit of kibble. While this helps the shelf life of dry dog food, it cooks out the natural flavor and nutrients of the ingredients. 

The best dog food for picky eaters should have whole food ingredients that are gently cooked. Dogs tend to prefer the natural taste of the ingredients rather than artificial flavoring. For example, Sundays’ dog food is slowly air-dried to preserve natural flavor and nutrients. That’s why Sundays is a beloved dog food for picky eaters. 

Texture

Cooking methods also influence the texture of dog food. Some pups like crunchy food, others prefer a wet, stew-like consistency. If ingredients don’t seem to be the problem, try food for picky dogs that has a different texture. Fussy eaters tend to like Sundays because it has a jerky-like texture of a treat. 

Rotational Feeding

Most animals need variety in their diet. Even if all their nutritional needs are being met, dogs like to experience new tastes and smells. Choose food for picky dogs that can be easily switched out every so often. Sundays, for example, has three different recipes that are great for rotational feeding

Sundays’ Dog Food for Fussy Eaters

Even the pickiest of pups love Sundays for Dogs. It’s no coincidence – our recipes are vet-formulated and 100% human-grade for maximum flavor and balanced nutrition. 

Sundays is packed with 80%+ real meat, with fruits, veggies, and whole grains making up the remaining 20%. There are zero artificial flavors or synthetic ingredients to throw off your dog’s palate. Plus, Sundays is gently air-dried for a tasty texture that dogs crave. 

best dog food for picky eaters

Still not convinced? Don’t take our word for it. Here are reviews from real subscribers who think Sundays is the best dog food for picky eaters. 

“Sundays rocks! My very picky, notoriously opinionated Brussels Griffon loves the turkey flavor. We were recommended Sundays by our vet, and we love the nutritional profile and that the food is lightly cooked and minimally processed. We used to have to entice him to eat his old food by adding shredded cheese on top, but now he goes running for the bowl when his Sundays food is in it.” -Kristina S. for Goose the Dog

“My picky eater loves this food! My dog is the pickiest eater, so much he will refuse to eat at all. I switched to Sundays and he gobbles his food down at every meal and is finally gaining weight. He has energy and his coat is very shiny.” -Tia A. for Doug the Dog

“Our picky Beagle absolutely LOVES Sundays food. We've tried both the chicken and beef. We've tried several brands of dog food and never found one that Hunter really enjoyed. Now, he can't wait for his breakfast and dinner! So thankful for Sundays and the great food they have.” -Michelle T. for Hunter the Dog

Get 20% off every reorder when you subscribe to Sundays for Dogs. If your picky pup truly doesn’t like the food, Sundays has a 14-Day Money Back Guarantee.

Try Healthy, Easy Sundays