Dog Feeding Tips

Original publish date: March 17, 2022 | Last updated: March 30, 2026

Everyone has reached a point in feeding their dog when the dog just says "no" to the food you have placed before them. It is not that food is bad; it could be a several reasons why Fido has turned their nose up at their once-favourite meal. Every dog has taste preferences, just like we do, so do not be discouraged if you feel like you have tried everything and they still are not interested - some dogs are just stubborn!

• Bored

Has Fido been eating the same thing every day for months or years? They are probably tired of that flavour or recipe, and as they say, "too much of a good thing is a bad thing." Much the same way, we do not want to eat the same thing every day. As a child, I ate Tuna sandwiches every day for about 3/4 of the year in Kindegarten, and now 30+ years later, I cannot go near one. Our dogs can form the same kind of aversions and dislikes towards foods as humans do.

They could even be bored with the TYPE of food! Some dogs get tired of eating raw meat or kibble, and it does not matter how many different brands, recipes, or added toppers; at the end of the day, it is still the same format.

• Texture

Sometimes dogs, like cats, are very sensitive to the mouthfeel, or texture, of their food. There can be other factors, such as dental or pain, that affect their desire to eat. Senior dogs are more prone to various aches and pains, and being on a dry or hard diet can put undue stress on their mouths. It is much the same with smaller and toy breeds, as they tend to be more prone to dental issues and have much smaller jaws (with many times little to no teeth).

On the other hand, some dogs do not like "mushy" or "soft" foods. Think of all the times we have been served overcooked oatmeal, bitten into fruit that was a little too ripe, or had that last bite of sandwich that was soaked in tomato or cucumber water.

• Pain, Sickness, or Stress

Dogs are masters at hiding when they are in discomfort, except when it comes to meal time. You could put down the finest cuts of meat paired with the purest beef tallow, and they would turn up their noses, because they are in pain or are not feeling well. If your dog has been turning their nose up at everything you put down, even things like Cheese, Hot Dogs, Deli Meat, Peanut Butter, etc., contact your vet as there could be an underlying issue.

While we may say, "What do you have to be stressed about, Fido?" dogs can still experience stress. It may not be the same as the Rat Race we find ourselves in, but it affects them just the same. Sometimes, there are multiple pets in the house, creating tensions at feeding times,  especially if one or more are prone to bullying and stealing food from others. Dogs can be sensitive to when their owners are leaving for work, and have learned various cues and signals from the morning routine, such as the beep of the coffee machine or the mechanical jump of the toaster.

Dogs, at times, can be funny creatures when it comes to their food and meal times, and they each have their own quirks. For many dogs, a new food at meal time can be intimidating when they have been eating the same thing for a long time. Instead, try offering it as a treat outside of mealtime, which can take the pressure off of immediately liking it and needing to consume it for survival.

Having said all that, here are some feeding tips to help you transition your dog to a new diet, introduce a different flavour from their current one or to a different brand, entice them to eat, or simply elevate their diet.

Raw Food

• If your dog eats canned food and you want to transition, try mixing it with a small portion of the new raw food. Slowly increase the amount while decreasing the canned food until your dog is eating an exclusively raw diet.

• If your dog eats kibble and you want to transition, try adding in a small amount as a topper. Please note that since kibble and raw digest at different rates, some dogs are prone to gut upset when mixing raw and kibble. Many dogs are fine to stop kibble cold turkey and immediately start a raw diet.

• Adding a few teaspoons or tablespoons of hot water can help raise the temperature and help bring out the smell of meat and fat.

• Let it come to room temperature, 15-20 minutes on the counter, before serving, if they are temperature sensitive.

Freeze Dried/Air Dried

• Offer it as a treat outside of mealtime. Both freeze-dried and air-dried foods are generally highly palatable and of high value to dogs.

• Use bone broth or goat’s milk to rehydrate and increase the flavour and value.

• Crumble some on top of their existing food as a topper. Please note that freeze-dried and air-dried are calorie-dense products, and dogs with weight concerns should remove a portion of their dinner meal to avoid gaining too much weight.

• Crush and better homogenize the freeze-dried food with water. This can look like various consistencies of mashed potatoes. Alternatively, serve it "cereal style". Scoop into the bowl, add water, and serve immediately.

• Let it sit in warm water to activate the smell of fat and meat.

Canned

• Try mixing a small amount of their new food into their favourite old food. This will help them get a little taste of the new food, without being overwhelmed by it; slowly increase the amount until your dog is eating the new food.

• Adding a few teaspoons or tablespoons of hot water will raise the temperature and help bring out the meat and fat aromas.

• Let it come to room temperature, 15-20 minutes on the counter, before serving, if they are temperature sensitive.

• Try adding crushed freeze-dried to help reduce the overall moisture.

Kibble

• Offer as a treat outside of mealtime; it reduces the pressure to immediately eat, and allows them time to investigate

• When transitioning to a different brand, feed 75% old food with 25% new food for about 2 days, then 50% old with 50% new for about 2 days, and then finish off with 25% old food with 75% new food. Every dog is different, and this transition can be longer or shorter depending on the needs of your dog.

• If your pet has sensitive guts, add Probiotics and/or Digestive Enzymes, such as Adored Beast's Love Bugs and/or Healthy Gut, to increase the bioavailability of the food and ease digestibility.

• Soak with warm water for 30-60 minutes to soften the kibbles if they have dental or jaw concerns. Kibble can be hydrated and softened into a paste by soaking the kibble in an air-tight container for 24 hours, or until the desired consistency. Unused portions need to be refrigerated and used within 3 days. Soaking kibble can be done using water, bone broth, goat's milk, etc.

The one thing all these diets have in common is that they could all benefit from whole food additions. These nutritional powerhouses not only provide your dog with an assortment of bioavailable nutrients, but they also taste great and bring joy to their bowls. All of these great additions can be found at Viva Pets!

• Freeze-dried or fresh vegetables. Provides a variety of vitamins and minerals.

• Goat’s Milk, Sheep’s Milk, or Bone Broth. Adds hydration, flavour, and a variety of vitamins and minerals.

All of these can be diluted with water to extend their use. Dogs smell a lot better than they taste, and will unlikely notice it has been watered down.

• Chicken necks or feet. Great for dental health, and provides a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as joint support. 

• Whole Sardines, Quail Eggs, Tripe. Wonderful for moderately increasing organ content, calcium and other minerals, also provides greens and some digestive enzymes.