Become a credit card member today!Best* Dog Food for Picky Eaters
Is your dog a fussy eater who turns up their nose at even the most luxurious kibble or loaf dog food? At Petco, we have a selection of our best-selling brands for picky pups based on pet parent purchases.
What to look for in Dog Food for Picky Eaters
Your dog can be choosy about their meals for a variety of reasons, but they’re less likely to refuse food that mimics their natural diet and caters to their personal preferences. Here are some food characteristics that may help you make your selection.
Limited Additives
If your pup has food sensitivities, certain ingredients in dog food can irritate their stomach and cause them to avoid eating. Look for food that has limited additives and preservatives.
Quality Ingredients
Some dogs may not respond well to feed-grade ingredients. Keep an eye out for tasty dog food for picky eaters that puts quality first and use easily digestible ingredients. You may also want to try brands that prepare fresh food for canines that can be refrigerated.
Favorite flavors
Observe your dog closely. When trying new food, is there a particular flavor that they avoid? They may be sensitive to that flavor or may not enjoy it. Try to avoid those ingredients with that distinct taste in the future. The best-tasting dog food for picky eaters often depends on your pup’s favorite protein or food.
Pet parent faves
Having a picky puppy can be frustrating for both you and your wallet. Often, it takes trial and error to find a variety of food your dog loves. Luckily, Petco can help. Here are some of the best-selling brands that our pet parents choose on a regular basis.
Wholehearted
Plus Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe With Whole Grains Dry Dog Food
One of the best dry dog foods for picky eaters, this Wholehearted recipe contains easily digestible ingredients like chicken and rice to help settle easily irritated stomachs. The texture combination of delicious kibble and meaty shreds of protein can help keep their palate entertained—making them more engaged in their meal.
Features:
- Available in 5-, 30- and 45-lbs. bags
- Chicken is the first ingredient
- No added soy, corn or wheat
- Suitable for all adult breeds
- Brown rice is a great source of fiber
Instinct
Frozen Raw Bites Grain-Free Real Beef Recipe Dog Food
When it comes to tasty dog food for picky eaters, real beef is likely to tempt any pup. This grain-free recipe is made up of 85% raw beef and organs and non-GMO fruits and veggies. Come mealtime, your dog may not know the difference between their food and yours.
Features:
- Available in 8-oz., 3-lbs. and 6-lbs. bags
- Grain-free
- Comes frozen—just thaw portion before mealtime and serve
- Good for skin and coat health
- Contains no fillers
JustFoodForDogs
Daily Diets Chicken and White Rice Frozen Dog Food
JustFoodForDogs is so confident in their dog food that they cook everything in kitchens open to the public. That’s because they use whole-food ingredients—you can even see the real bits of wholesome veggies mixed in with real chicken. It’s cooked fresh, then frozen. This is one of the best dog foods for picky eaters—in fact, you may be tempted to try a nibble yourself.
Features:
- Available in 18- and 72-oz. packs
- Preservative-free
- High-quality non-feed-grade ingredients
- Gluten-free
- Simple, human-grade ingredients
Orijen
Tundra Recipe Grain-Free High Protein Raw Meat Freeze-Dried Dog Food
This freeze-dried dog food is a great shelf-stable way for your pup to get nourishing meals made of real meat. This dog food can be fed as the main course, and it also makes a delicious dog food topper for picky eaters. Meaty bits full of flavor from the freeze-drying process can be a good incentive for your pup to dig into this protein-packed recipe.
Features:
- Available in 6- and 16-oz. bags
- Grain-free
- 90% premium animal ingredients
- Natural preservatives for longer shelf life
- Simply mix with warm water to serve
Acana
Grain-Free Red Meat Ranch-Raised Beef Yorkshire Grass-Fed Lamb Dry Dog Food
Feeding dry dog food to picky eaters can sometimes be challenging—especially if they’re accustomed to wet food. But with beef and pork as the first ingredients, your choosy pup may have no problem devouring this recipe. This nutritious blend also contains filling ingredients like red lentils, pinto beans and chickpeas to help keep them full. It also has pureed pumpkin to soothe sensitive stomachs.
Features:
- Available in 4.5-, 13- and 25-lbs. bags
- Coated in freeze-dried beef, lamb and pork
- No preservatives, artificial colors or flavors
- Suitable for all life stages and breeds
- 60% premium animal ingredients
Nutro
Natural Choice Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Chicken and brown rice are easily digestible and are the first ingredients in this natural Nutro blend. It also contains an array of whole grains like soothing oatmeal and barley and a variety of dried fruits and veggies that provide beneficial antioxidants.
Features:
- Available in 30-lbs. bags
- Designed for adult large breeds 18 months and older
- No soy, wheat or corn
- No meat chicken by-product meal
- Contains non-GMO ingredients
The Honest Kitchen
Butcher Block Pate: Variety Pack Wet Dog Food
The Honest Kitchen makes some of the best dog food for picky eaters. This variety pack contains mouth-watering pâté in delicious flavors like beef, cheddar and farm veggies, chicken and super greens and turkey and autumn veggies
This brand uses human-grade ingredients and is made in small batches to enhance flavor. The recipes are great on their own, but they also make great food toppers—mix it up in dry food, and your picky eater might just perk up.
Features:
- Available in a variety pack with 3 10.5-ounce boxes
- Grain-free
- No artificial flavors or GMO ingredients
- 100% Human-grade
- Offers a variety of protein options
The Honest Kitchen
Dehydrated Whole Grain Beef Recipe Dog Food
If you’re looking for a shelf-stable version of The Honest Kitchen’s human-grade food, this dehydrated recipe is also a great dog food for picky eaters. All you need is warm water and three minutes, and your fussy pup will have a delicious meal that is packed with nutrition. The finely chopped ingredients are also fairly easy to digest.
Features:
- Available in 2-, 4-, 7- and 10-lbs. packs
- Stuff in your pup’s toys for an extra treat
- Makes a great topper for kibble
- Contains whole food ingredients like ranch-raised beef
- 100% human-grade
JustFoodForDogs
Daily Diets Venison and Squash Frozen Dog Food
Venison can be a tasty source of lean protein for dogs and provides a unique flavor for pups bored with their regular canned food or kibble. This blend also contains butternut squash and sweet potato—both are easy to digest and are excellent sources of fiber.
Features:
- Available in 18- and 72-oz. packs
- Contains no feed-grade ingredients
- Preservative-free
- Cooked fresh, then frozen
- Provides delicious variety to your dog's diet
Wholehearted
Plus Lamb, Vegetables and Brown Rice Recipe Stew With Whole Grains Wet Dog Food
This wholesome, savory recipe is one of the best canned dog food for picky eaters. Ingredients like pumpkin and brown rice are easy on your pup’s digestive tract, and the delicious and savory lamb can have them coming back for more—even if it’s not mealtime.
Features:
- Available in single or 8-pack 12.5-oz. cans
- Brown rice is a gentle source of fiber
- Made with real lamb
- No added wheat, corn or soy
- Lamb broth adds extra meaty flavor
We’re here to help
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Learn More About Dog Food for Picky Eaters
Dogs turn their nose up at food and refuse to eat for a few reasons. They may be upset or anxious. They could have sensitivities to their regular food that you are unaware of, and eating upsets their stomach. Or they may simply not care for the taste.
When browsing tasty dog food for picky eaters, stick to limited ingredients that are less likely to upset their stomach. You should also look for high-quality foods that don’t contain many additives. You can also take our Dog Picky Eating Quiz for more solutions.
Determining the source of the problem is the first step. Consult your veterinarian to see if your dog has any sensitivities or ailments that may be causing them to balk at otherwise appetizing dog food.
If the problem is indigestion, look for ingredients that help soothe your dog’s stomach. Some ingredients in many of the best dog food for picky eaters who also suffer from digestive problems include the following.
- Rice
- Pumpkin
- Chicken
You may also want to ask your vet about adding probiotics to your dog’s diet. Slow feeder bowls may also help—they force your pup to slow down when eating, which can help reduce bloating and excess gas. Slow feeders may also help prevent Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus—also known as GDV—which can be deadly to your dog.
Just like humans, all dogs have different tastes and preferences. They may also just be bored with eating the same thing every day or not being food motivated. You can try changing up the flavors of their dog food to hold their interest. Once you find the best tasting dry dog food for your picky eater, mix wet food or food toppers into their kibble for a little variety that can help stimulate their appetite.
Would you like to know more about your pup’s unique behaviors and needs? Check out our Dog Care Sheet or our New Dog Owner Guide for first-time adopters.
*Based on petco.com sales data.
