How Do I Get My Dog to Eat Dry Food?

Dogs have a voracious appetite most of the time. But every now and again a fussy dog refuses to eat kibble. If your dog is having trouble eating dry food, whetting their appetite will usually get the ball rolling. If you’ve come to this article by searching ‘how to get my dog to eat dry food‘, then take a deep breath, the search is over.

Below we share five tips to help your dog want to eat his or her dry food. We’ll also help you follow your dog’s instincts because occasionally it’s the food that’s the issue and not the dog.

After all, our pawsome pals have exceptional flavour receptors. Not only that – they tend to know when they’re not getting enough goodness from their diet (or the wrong ingredients altogether).

My dog refuses to eat kibble

The best way to get your pooch in the mood for dry food is to get them taste testing. There are several ways you can do this and it usually depends on the situation.

For example you may have a puppy you’re coaxing onto their first kibble ever. It could be you’re moving from an old food they’re used to, to a new one. Or perhaps your dog is suddenly off their usual food for no apparent reason.

Check out these steps and decide which one to try that most suits you and pooch:

6 tips to help your dog eat dry food

1. Wet the dry food. Try adding a little warm (not hot) water to your dog’s kibble just before feeding it to them. This will make it soft, warm and bring out the flavours.
2. Peanut butter. Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the above wet ‘dry food’ combo. Mix it in well and let your dog lick whatever is left on the spoon. This will wet their taste buds and you can lead them to their food bowl to try more. (NB: read the note below!)
3. Homemade broth. Try adding a bit of warm homemade broth to your dog’s food just before serving to soften and add flavour kibble. Be sure to only use dog safe ingredients (read them in our things that can poison your pet article).  
4. Quantity care. Stick to the recommended portion guide on the bag, taking note of your dog’s weight and any possible breed diet requirements. If your dog refuses to eat all the kibble, you may be overfeeding them.
5. Schedule it. Keep a clean feeding schedule. Let your dog become accustomed not just to how much to expect but also when to expect it. Dogs are creatures of habit and a random approach to feeding can catch them off-guard.
6. Switching foods. If you’re wondering how to get your dog to eat a new type of dry food then the answer is to do it gradually. Sudden changes to your dog’s diet can cause tummy upsets. So serve up a combo of the new and old foods mixed together.

Use the following ratio and adjustments over a week:

Note to peanut butter loving dog owners!

If you try the peanut butter option use a sugar free, salt free and xylitol free peanut butter. Xylitol toxicity in dogs can be fatal. It may also be just as bad for cats, but so far there’s no conclusive research and evidence.

Side note: Have you ever wondered whether dogs can follow a meatless diet? There is so much to share on this topic! Read this ‘Can Dogs Eat Beyond Meat?‘ article to learn more.

How to get my dog to eat dry food as treats

Another great way to get your dog to eat and enjoy dry food is to not serve up whole portions at a time. Introduce it slowly as a treat. Your dog will love the interaction and attention you’re giving them and hand feeding them one piece of kibble at a time will allow them to make the switch gently.

Positive reinforcement dog training is also a great way to train your dog to adjust to new situations, kibble included. Once your dog who’s been having trouble eating dry food starts to eat it as a regular meal you can move on to other treats. Read our article on National Pet Obesity Day for a list of healthy wholesome dog treats.

Other reasons a dog has trouble eating dry food

Another reason you find yourself wondering ‘how to get my dog to eat dry food’ could be in the food itself.

It senses food trouble

Lots of commercial kibble contains additives that don’t add any nutritious value. They’re simply filler ingredients. Poor quality ingredients can also cause digestive issues, skin problems, allergies, smelly breath and more. If your dog’s nose knows this, they might try avoiding the food for as long as possible.

Skin, food and other allergies are #2 in our top 10 claim types for dogs and cats in 2021.

It’s important to note your dog might eventually eat food that doesn’t suit them, simply to avoid extreme hunger. It’s not necessarily an endorsement of the food.

If you think this might be why your dog is having trouble eating dry food then try switching foods. Ask your vet for a recommendation that suits your dog’s breed, age and health needs.

Depending on your dog’s breed and eventual size they need specific nutrition and also at specific phases of life. This is why the right food can help offset health conditions your breed is more prone to having.

If you continue feeding your dog food that doesn’t support its health this may cause serious long term health problems. Find out more about 10 of the most common dog breed health problems. Then ask your vet how to safeguard against these with the proper diet and schedule. And remember not all kibble is created equal!

Is my dog sick?

Another reason your dog could be having trouble eating dry food is if they’re sick or injured. Read more reasons that could be behind why your dog is not eating, because it could be a health issue rather than their kibble.

Also check out why dogs eat grass. Occasional ‘lawn mowing’ is fine, but if your dog is munching too much they could be trying to remedy other gastric issues.

Dry food or wet, all dogs need protection

Although all dogs are created equal (apart from your own, obviously 😉), not all diets are. This is why in addition to helping your dog eat dry food by choosing the right one, you need a dog insurance plan. Your pet’s plan will cushion their paws in case of a vast array health problems, from the known to the unexpected.

A PD Insurance pet plan can cover many items that would otherwise cost you a furry fortune. For example, prescription dog meds, stayovers at a veterinary hospital for treatment, surgery, treatment for accidents and more. We’ve got your pet and your pocket covered!

The best time to purchase your pawlicy is when you get your pet. The younger and healthier they are when you start your plan, the broader their all-time cover will be. Plus you get FREE pet insurance for one or more months when you sign up online. Click below to get started!