My dog hates his food. What's the best food & how do I switch?

There is no one "best" dog food. Choose a brand that is easy for you to get, one that Opie will eat and one that doesn't cause GI upset or other issues. If you can find a food that satisifes these 3 things, that's the one to feed. Stay away from store or discount brands. They typically contain low quality ingredients and more fillers. Premium brands include Canidae, Orijen and Acana. The website www.dogfoodadvisor.com is an excellent resource for comparing diets. Always transition to a new diet slowly to prevent stomach upset.

Unfortunately, there is no one "best" food or treat for Snickers. There are higher quality diets such as Acana, Royal Canin, Canidae and a few others. The key to choosing a diet for your dog is to find one that he will eat, that doesn't cause any GI upset and is easy for you to buy. Choose a diet with a named protein source over diets with by-products and meat meals. Also, stay away from store or discount brands as these typically contain low quality ingredients and more fillers. The website www.dogfoodadvisor.com is an excellent resource for comparing diets.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dom is adorable! I think that if he consistently eats the Crave then I would feed him that. I know it is pricey but it may save you in the long run from buying all different types of food to tempt him. Look for pet stores that offer discounts or a frequent buyers program. Look online for cheaper prices. The other option is to buy one food and stick it out. Put it down and if he refuses to eat with in a period of time remove it. Try again next meal time. Healthy dogs usually do not chose starvation and will eventually eat. It may take 3 days. You can try adding water at the 3 day mark. Personally I would buy what he likes. I hope this helps and I wish yo u and Dom the best!

What a cute puppy! With him being 7 months old and a small breed dog, I think that Lucas is slowing down on his growing. This can cause a reduction in his appetite. I find that the more that we change a dog's food- the more pickier they become. I would stick with one brand, offer 1/3 of slightly less than the daily recommended amount (they sell dog food, so the more he eats the more you buy) three times daily. Give him a set amount of time and then pick up the bowl. This will create some urgency. He will eat if he is hungry. The more we change and add things, the more he will wait to eat to see what good stuff will be added. I would keep track of his body condition score- you should be able to feel his ribs with a little bit of fat cover, but not see them. As long as he is in good body condition, I would not worry. Some dogs are not food motivated and will just eat what they need. If you have any questions about his weight or body condition score, you can ask your veterinarian. I don't think that grain free food are necessary. Dogs are omnivores.

Real Nature seems to be a very high quality food, it is not one i am familiar with but the ingredient list is quite impressive. if he is doing well on this brand i would probably stick with it. other excelent options include Orijen, Acana and taste of the wild.

If you ask 100 vets, 100 dog owners, 100 pet store employees you are going to get 300 different answers. It is personal preference and experience with certain brands. There are regular diets, prescription diets, organic diets, grain free diets, weight loss diets, diets for working dogs, etc. What are actually trying to determine? What, for you, is considered "best"? A diet with organic ingredients, an inexpensive diet, a diet with no grains?? I would give a different list for someone who wants their dog to lose weight versus someone who uses their dog for working or shows or someone who wants to feed an organic diet. Any list you get from any of the experts on this forum is just going to be personal preference. So, if you want to post again with more specifics we can try to help you better.

There is no one "best" food. The optimal diet is one that your dog eats, can easily be bought and does not cause stomach upset. That said, certain brands are better than others. Stay away from store or discount brands. These typically contain low quality ingredients and more fillers. Better or premium brands include ProPlan, Canidae, Orijen, Royal Canin and Acana.