[Fire Dan]

I’m afraid I may have spoiled my dog. I used to give canned food occasionally, but I still mainly fed kibble. Now, it is to the point where the kibble will sit in the bowl uneaten. When I put in canned food, he eats it. It is very expensive to feed canned food only, any tips to get him back to liking kibble?

[Danielle DeGroot]

Hi Fire Dan. There are a few reasons your pup might not like his kibble. Dogs, like us, get bored eating the same thing every meal. There is also a possibility he may have something going on in his mouth. This may be a cavity, broken or infected tooth, sore gum, or other issue that makes eating kibble uncomfortable. A trip to the vet to have him checked out may help. Once you rule out any medical issues, you may want to try a different kibble. Sometimes, a change in flavor and texture can be helpful.

I have an older dog who can be very picky and started refusing to eat kibble a few months ago. I started mixing in freeze-dried dog food and wet and fresh food toppers, which has greatly increased her interest in her food. I like Freshpet for its low price, good quality, and convenience. My dog also loves Stella & Chewy’s. They make freeze-dried nuggets and toppers I mix in with kibble.

[Sally Jones]

If you want to go back to kibble, I’d also recommend mixing your pup’s kibble with some bone broth. It’s inexpensive and adds a lot of flavor (and nutrients) to kibble. See my review of the best bone broth for dogs to find some dog-friendly options (e.g., no added salt or other spices). In that article, I also include a homemade recipe that may save you even more money.

[Author]

Posts