Can you imagine eating the same meal every day? Even your favorite food would get tiresome if you ate it every.single.day. Most people crave variety in their meals. Sure, you want to taste something different, but mixing it up is also good for our health.
Change is good for your pup, too. When was the last time you changed your dog’s food?
Some pet parents are adopting rotational feeding. Rotating healthy foods helps break the dry kibble rut and boosts your dog’s health with a well-balanced diet. You can add healthy toppers to your dog’s dry food or change it completely with new flavors and different foods.
However, there are a lot of choices out there. How do you find the right dog food for your furry friend?
Is Your Dog Tired of Their Kibble or Wet Food?
Your dog needs the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy. Yet, food is about more than just dietary needs. New flavors also stimulate the brain and gut health.
When was the last time you changed your dog’s food? If you don’t remember, your dog might be sending signals they’re ready for different types of food.
Three signs your dog’s lost interest in mealtime:
- They sniff the old food and walk away
- Leave their food unfinished
- Get more excited than usual about human food
Yes, most dogs get excited about bacon, but if your dog starts giving you the ‘ol soulful gaze every time you eat, and they don’t usually do this, it could be a sign they’re craving a new food.
Another consideration is the food quality. Could it have spoiled? Dry kibble can go rancid. Fresh food can spoil. If food gone bad is possible, you won’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t want to eat it.
What Tastes Do Dogs Like?
It’s no surprise dogs like bacon, beef, and other meats. But many dogs also like some veggies and yogurt. There are many human foods dogs can safely eat that are healthy for them.
Fun fact: dogs have fewer taste buds than people. For context, dogs have around 1700 taste buds compared to humans, with around 8000 taste buds. Dogs also tend to prefer savory and fatty foods, maybe thanks to their history as scavengers, and few dogs have sweet tooths.
So, your dog is thrilled if you want to share your sausage, but you can keep the cake; thank you very much. This is a good thing because sugar isn’t healthy and can make your dog sick.
Many of your dog’s taste buds are concentrated in the tip of their tongue. So, if your dog takes a tentative taste of something with their tongue tip, they’re just trying it out to see if they want more.
Of course, just like people, dogs can have food preferences, and some are picky eaters.
Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible, says a dog’s taste buds develop early in life.
“Exposure to certain flavors and textures of food early in life can shape the dog’s preferences later on. The temperature of a dog’s meal, the odor, texture and taste from early days can leave a dog with a strong desire for those qualities in his food.”
Surprise! Your dog has preferences!
As we lavish more care on our pets, it makes sense our dogs get tired of the same old kibble day after day. Some dogs might not care, just like some people don’t mind eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day for decades.
Other dogs crave a change of pace. Plus, eating the same dry food for years is not likely to fulfill your dog’s nutritional needs. If you think your dog might have a loss of appetite because they’re tired of their dog kibble, try adding some fresh veggies like carrots and broccoli to their dry food and see how that transforms their interest.
Besides adding nutritional value, meal variety can stimulate your dog’s brain. Different scents, flavors, and textures offer your dog new experiences, keeping your dog’s brain active. Think about smell alone. Your dog’s sense of smell is roughly 100,000 times more than yours! Having all these new smells offers new experiences.
Of course, you don’t want constant changes in your dog’s food because that can upset their gut health. It’s a balance.
Balance Dog Food Variety With Consistency
Some dogs have delicate tummies, and their digestive system gets out of whack if you completely replace their food.
Veterinarians recommend a gradual change in your dog’s diet. For example, if you usually feed your dog a cup of food at mealtime, replace ¼ of that cup with the new food. This helps introduce your dog to the new food slowly, which can help it digest more easily.
You can add healthy food toppers, rotate protein sources, and add fresh and healthy ingredients to your dog’s diet. Some pet parents add a little warm water or chicken broth to dry food to soften it—some dogs like the softer consistency of wet food.
However, if you have a fussy eater or want to provide your pup with the best pet food, try fresh food made for dogs. Fresh, well-balanced meals offer variety and nutrition.
If You Have a Picky Eater
First, if your dog has lost interest in mealtime, make a veterinarian appointment or meet with a veterinary nutritionist. You want to rule out any underlying health issue.
However, just like people, some dogs are fussy eaters. Your dog might not like the food you put down or simply want something else. You can choose a different food for your dog and introduce it slowly over several days. Mix it in with the existing food little by little so you have less chance of upsetting your dog’s tummy.
Then, rotate foods for variety and add healthy meal toppers. You can also change how you present the food. Instead of putting it in the regular bowl, you can serve your dog’s food in a puzzle bowl or snuffle mat for more mental stimulation. Dog owners can also try warming the food a little. Some picky eaters prefer their food at a warmer temperature.
Try different methods next mealtime and see what your dog prefers.
In Summary
Everyone benefits from a range of different foods. Not only does a variety of foods enliven the taste buds and stimulate the brain, but it also provides more nutrition. If your dog seems uninterested in their food, they might be ready for a change. Your dog deserves fresh and wholesome food at their next mealtime.