Why is my Dog So Fussy!

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For some this is such a frustrating issue, I know, I've been there myself! 

Your dog sniffing their bowl, turning away, and giving you that unmistakable look of disappointment. 

Dealing with your dog’s fussiness is a challenge, and constant trial and error, it can be disheartening (and super expensive). All you want is for your dog to enjoy their food and get the nutrients they need.

Check out what we spoke about on our recent vet nutritionalist Zoom meeting:

Getting to the root cause of your dog’s fussiness is the best way forward. 

Then complimenting the right food with tried and tested techniques could be a game-changer for you both. 

Am going to come right out and say it, I usually keep my lips closed but…..commerical kibble, stop it!!! Cut it out completely! 

There is no good commercial kibble out there, it's packed full of fillers, flours, and artificial flavours, your pup 100% does not need commercial kibble in their diet! There, I said it!!

It can cause a huge amount of issues, with most not starting until your dog reaches their senior years and then get put down due to old age issues!! Absolute rubbish!!

But that's for an another blog on another day.

Let's get back to fussy pups!

Here are some ideas why your pooch could be fussy:

Health issues, boredom with their current food or even just the quality of the food itself.  

The first step is uncovering your pup’s unique preferences and experiences with food, which often requires a bit of patience and experimenting.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s fussy eating your vet is always your first port of call.  

Quality of your dogs food:

Low-quality dog food, especially the heavily processed kind, might make your dog turn up their nose. Foods loaded with unnecessary fibre, carbohydrates (think wheat, corn, rice) and animal by-products lack the high-quality proteins and fresh ingredients dogs thrive on. 

Fresh food actually contains beneficial organisms that can contribute to a healthy gut microbiome and overall wellbeing. 

These organisms, including bacteria, can be diverse and play a role in producing vitamins, short-chain fatty acids, and other compounds that are beneficial for pets.

In high proportions of unhealthy foods such as commercial kibble and what I call cheap foods (they are cheap for a reason) these ingredients can cause digestive issues like bloating and discomfort, making your dog associate mealtime with an upset tummy and even worse the dreaded BLOAT!!

Cheap food often is packed with fillers to help keep your dog fuller for longer but, we now know that this is the number one reason for fussy dogs, as they are actually just not hungry at all as they are still full from there cheap meal even 24 hours after their last meal, no wonder they’re not keen to eat!  

We know that it's high protein rich foods which keep our pups healthy and fuller for longer, and that's our golden rule at Pawsome Grub that protein is always our highest component ingredient in all of our meals.

We actually got to watch a really cool video of 2 Ridgeback dogs who were siblings, around the same height and weight and from the same litter.

For 1 week one dog was served cheap meals such as cheap dog rolls and cheap kibble.

The other dog was feed a raw prey diet consisting of protein, same protein offal (liver, spleen & lung) and same protein bone.

During the video the dogs had had dinner the night before at around 5pm they then had a scan on their digestive track at around 8am the next morning.

The results were unbelievable, the dog who had been served the cheaper meals had a tummy absolutely jam packed still with food.

However the raw feed dog's tummy was completely empty and was ready for its next meal.

We often think in terms of dog food and human food. 

But what’s good for humans is often good for our pups too, especially when it comes to quality, variety, and fresh whole foods.  

You could try:

Our Pawsome Grub meals, are-packed with high-quality proteins, nutrient-dense ingredients, and superfoods. our cooked meals are gently cooked to be easy on the stomach and delicious to picky eaters.

• Raw foods are all fresh off the bone when we receive our stock and we work quickly as we want it frozen as soon as we can to preserve at the best quality.

• All our foods are single protein too, which is great for sensitivities and also getting a wide variety of nutrients & minerals with every different flavour.

  
  

• Dogs have preferences:

Like us, dogs have tastebuds that can identify sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. This means dogs can have preferences for specific flavours, smells, or consistencies. 

Ever notice how your dog gobbles up a cooked chook, but barely touches the rest of their food?

Fresh, minimally processed foods tend to have flavours and smells that dogs find irresistible. 

Many kibble brands add flavouring to make the dry food palatable because the manufacturing process affects the integrity of the ingredients.

Maybe try:

.Letting all the tasty smells out, heat your dog’s food or add a bit of warm water or zapping in the microwave for a few seconds, to bring out the delicious aromas.

Add a tasty topper, such as cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, raw eggs or even canned sardine (make sure they are in spring water though) 

Eating the same food day in and day out can become boring for dogs. 

If your dog won’t eat kibble, but eats everything else, they may have kibble fatigue.

You could:

Introduce a fresh diet with a mix of nutritious ingredients.

Pawsome Grubs range of different meals are all made to eat everyday without the need to add anything to make up the nutrition as they have all your pup needs and nothing is synthetic we use only natural ingredients such as seeds, eggshell & golden turmeric paste to make our meals complete.

Rapid changes in diet:

Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can cause picky eating. 

If you’ve moved from kibble to fresh food, the new textures and flavours might be a little overwhelming at first.

It can also take a few days for their tummies to adjust to the new ingredients. 

Try:

Slowly does it:

mix the new food gradually with your dog’s current diet over 5 days. 

A general rule of thumb is add x2 table spoons of new food, and remove x2 table spoons of their old food, increase by 2 table spoons daily until A full transition, if a tummy upset occurs start from added x2 table spoons and repeat the process.

Health issues:

If your dog suddenly won’t eat their food, there might be an underlying health issue at play.

Such as food sensitivities which can trigger skin and gastrointestinal conditions, leading to food aversion, often mistaken for fussiness.

Or an upset tummy, infection can also affect a dog’s desire to eat.   

Book a vet visit:

if you suspect a health issue, it’s always best to get a professional opinion.

Your vet can help identify any conditions that might be affecting your dog’s.

Consider a elemination diet:

with your vet’s guidance, an elimination diet can help pinpoint any specific food sensitivities that could be causing your dog’s aversion to food. 

It could be stress related:

Stress and anxiety can make dogs lose their appetite.

Big changes like moving, a new family member, or even just changes in routine can throw some pups off. 

They might also feel anxious if they're competing with other pets at mealtimes.

Try:

Reduce the stressors:

for predictable changes, like moving, try to introduce them slowly.

For unexpected changes, give your dog extra comfort and reassurance. 

Tempt them with fresh food or high quality single protein treats mixed into their food to encourage eating.

Create a safe and comfortable feeding area:

find a quiet spot for your dog to eat without distractions, making mealtimes a more relaxed experience. 

A general low appetite:

A dog's appetite often changes based on their energy needs, which are influenced by their level of physical activity. 

After vigorous exercise, such as long hikes or intense play session, dogs burn more energy and may feel hungrier.

Try:

Pre dinner Walkies:

A short walk before dinner can help build up an appetite. 

Just make sure not to exercise your dog immediately after eating to avoid any digestive issues such as BLOAT.

Individual exercise plan:

Not sure how much exercise your dog needs? Consult your vet or a qualified dog trainer to determine the best type and frequency based on their age, breed, and health. 

Age and life changes:

Your dog’s age can also affect their eating habits. Puppies and senior often have different dietary needs and preferences. 

Puppies 100% don't need puppy food (don't be mislead by appealing packaging stating puppy food) 

If they’re getting a fresh, nutrient-dense, balanced diet.

Similarly, older dogs don’t necessarily need ‘senior’ dog food but can benefit from meals rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to support their aging bodies.

Remember high protein is top priority with all dogs regardless of their age, but in particular puppies, need high levels of protein to support building blocks for life such as strong bones, teeth and joints.

(You only have a very small window to build important building blocks for puppies which start at 4 weeks old and ends at 16weeks, but again building blocks is for another blog)

Small dog, big appetite: 

as puppies grow, their portion sizes change. 

Pawsome Grub can help by tailoring portions to your puppy’s needs as they hit growth milestones. 

If your puppy eating kibble, consider switching to gently cooked fresh food that’s easy to eat and digest.

It's all about balance for our senior dogs:

A lighter diet that’s rich in nutrients, but lower in calories is an excellent way to keep your golden oldie in tip-top condition, like Pawsome Grub’s slow cooked Chicken or Kangaroo casserole. 

All of our cooked meals contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 from hemp & salmon oils (we use the brand "Provex" as it's locally sourced and a well trusted brand) to promote joint health – great for senior dogs.   

pawsome Grub a game changer for fussy dogs:

Get to know your dogs fussy habits:

All our meals are overseen by a veterinary nutritionists and a pet naturopath, Pawsome Grub meals are designed to be complete, balanced, and packed with real, and wholesome ingredients.

All jam packed with quality proteins designed to match your dog’s unique tastes and needs, even picky eaters will be excited at their next mealtime.

Give your dog meals that bring excitement and health to every bowl, come and join The Grub Club!

My go to recommendation for fussy eaters:

1) feed your pup only once daily to make sure they are hungry for their next meal, absolutely 0 treats at all, nothing!!! it will make meal times a heck of a lot easier.

2) exercise is key! a well walked pup is a hungry pup.

3) be a little sneaky add your dogs food not in their usual Bowl such as one of your dinner plates,

Even the likes of a Tupperware bowl etc.

4) Heat the food to release all the tasty aromas,

Add slightly cooled boiled water (my favourite trick with my 2) or blast in the microwave for a few seconds.

5) Let them fast for a whole day (it won't do them any harm and is actually really beneficial for their tummies etc)

Make sure they have water available at all time though.

When my 2 fast I give them bone broth 3 times throughout the day to see them over and it packed full of electrolytes so they are still getting nutrients and helps tick them over for their day of fasting.

6) Feed once daily especially important for dogs who turn their nose up every meal, dogs should eat at least once a day.

To help with processing food and gut health I would suggest to fast for 1 day a week too. (A fasting dog should have water available at all times when fasting)

7) last but not least (I consider this to be most important)

If your dog doesn't eat their meal after 15 minutes, pop it away in the fridge until later that day.

(Absolutely no treats nothing zilch!) then give them the same meal they were offered earlier that day.

If it happens again back in the fridge until the next day.

This can be repeated for 3 days (as long as they are drinking water they are perfectly fine)

Your dog will eat when they have to establishing a good eating pattern is key, you just have to put your brave pants on and don't give in to them puppy eyes.

(Go on be brave it's for the best)

On 2 Jun 2025, at 11:24 am, Louise Robinson <cowan86@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

For some this is such a frustrating issue, I know I've been there myself! Your dog sniffing their bowl, turning away, and giving you that unmistakable look of disappointment. Dealing with your dog’s fussiness is a challenge, and constant trial and error can be disheartening (and super expensive) All you want is for your dog to enjoy their food and get the nutrients they need.Check out what we spoke about on our recent vet nutritionists zoom meeting.Getting to the root cause of your dog’s fussiness is the best way forward. Then complimenting the right food with tried and tested techniques could be a game-changer for you both. Am going to come right out and say it, I usually keep my lips closed but!! Kibble, stop it!!! Cut it out completely!!!! I hate it!!There is no good commercial kibble out there, it's packed full of fillers, flours, and artificial flavours, your pup 100% does not need kibble in there diet! There I said it!!!It can cause a huge amount of issues with most not starting until your dog reaches their senior years and then get put down to old age issues!! Absolute rubbish!!But that's for an another blog on another day.Let's get back to fussy pups!Here are some ideas why your Pooch could be fussy:Dogs can be fussy for several reasons, like health issues, boredom with their current food or even just the quality of the food itself.  The first step is uncovering your pup’s unique preferences and experiences with food, which often requires a bit of patience and experimentation. If you’re concerned about your dog’s fussy eating your vet is always your first port of call.  Quality of your dogs food:Low-quality dog food, especially the heavily processed kind, might make your dog turn up their nose. Foods loaded with unnecessary fibre, carbohydrates (think wheat, corn, rice) and animal by-products lack the high-quality proteins and fresh ingredients dogs thrive on. Fresh food actually contains beneficial organisms that can contribute to a healthy gut microbiome and overall wellbeing. These organisms, including bacteria, can be diverse and play a role in producing vitamins, short-chain fatty acids, and other compounds that are beneficial for pets.In high proportions of unhealthy foods such as commercial Kibble and what I call cheap foods (they are cheap for a reason) these ingredients can cause digestive issues like bloating and discomfort, making your dog associate mealtime with an upset tummy and even worse the dreaded BLOAT!!Cheap food often is packed with fillers to help keep your dog fuller for longer but! We now know that this is the number reason for fussy dogs, as they are actually just not hungry at all as they are still full from there cheap meal even 24 hours after feeding their last meal, no wonder they’re not keen to eat!  We know that it's high protein rich foods which keep our pups healthy and fuller for longer, and that's our golden rule at Pawsome Grub that protein is always our highest component ingredient in all of our meals.We actually got to watch a really cool video of x2 ridgebacks dogs who were siblings, around the same hight and weight and from the same litter. For 1 week one dog was served cheap meals such as cheap dog rolls and cheap kibble.The other dog was feed a raw prey diet consisting of protein, same protein offal (liver, spleen & lung) and same protein bone.During the video the dogs had had dinner the night before at around 5pm they then had a scan on their digestive track at around 8am the next morning.The results were unbelievable, the dog who had been served the cheaper meals had a tummy absolutely jam packed still with food.However the raw feed dog's tummy was completely empty and was ready for its next meal.We often think in terms of dog food and human food. But what’s good for humans is often good for our pups too, especially when it comes to quality, variety, and fresh whole foods.  You could try:Our Pawsome Grub meals, are-packed with high-quality proteins, nutrient-dense ingredients, and superfoods. our cooked meals are gently cooked to be easy on the stomach and delicious to picky eaters.

• Raw foods are all fresh off the bone when we receive our stock and we work quickly as we want it frozen as soon as we can to preserve at the best quality.

• All our foods are single protein too, which is great for sensitivities and also getting a wide variety of nutrients & minerals with every different flavour.

  
  

• Dogs have preferences:

Like us, dogs have tastebuds that can identify sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. This means dogs can have preferences for specific flavours, smells, or consistencies. 

Ever notice how your dog gobbles up a cooked chook?!? but barely touches the rest of their food?

Fresh, minimally processed foods tend to have flavours and smells that dogs find irresistible. 

Many kibble brands add flavouring to make the dry food palatable because the manufacturing process affects the integrity of the ingredients.

Maybe try:

. Letting all the tasty smells out, heat your dog’s food or add a bit of warm water or zapping in the microwave for a few seconds, to bring out the delicious aromas.

. Add a tasty topper, such as cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, raw eggs or even canned sardine (make sure they are in spring water though) 

---

Eating the same food day in and day out can become boring for dogs. 

If your dog won’t eat kibble, but eats everything else, they may have kibble fatigue.

You could:

. Variety is key: introduce a fresh diet with a mix of nutritious ingredients. Pawsome Grubs range of different meals are all made to eat everyday without the need to add anything to make up the nutrition as they have all your pup needs and nothing is synthetic we use only natural ingredients such as seeds, eggshell & golden turmeric paste to make our meals complete.

Rapid changes in diet:

Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can cause picky eating. 

If you’ve moved from kibble to fresh food, the new textures and flavours might be a little overwhelming at first. It can also take a few days for their tummies to adjust to the new ingredients. 

Try:

Slowly does it:

mix the new food gradually with your dog’s current diet over 5 days. 

A general rule of thumb is add x2 table spoons of new food, and remove x2 table spoons of their old food, increase by 2 table spoons daily until A full transition, if a tummy upset occurs start from added x2 table spoons and repeat the process.

Health issues:

If your dog suddenly won’t eat their food, there might be an underlying health issue at play.

Such as food sensitivities which can trigger skin and gastrointestinal conditions, leading to food aversion, often mistaken for fussiness. Or an upset tummy, infection can also affect a dog’s desire to eat.   

Book a vet visit:

if you suspect a health issue, it’s always best to get a professional opinion. Your vet can help identify any conditions that might be affecting your dog’s.

Consider a elemination diet:

with your vet’s guidance, an elimination diet can help pinpoint any specific food sensitivities that could be causing your dog’s aversion to food. 

It could be stress related:

Stress and anxiety can make dogs lose their appetite. Big changes like moving, a new family member, or even just changes in routine can throw some pups off. 

They might also feel anxious if they're competing with other pets at mealtimes.

Try:

Reduce the stressors:

for predictable changes, like moving, try to introduce them slowly. For unexpected changes, give your dog extra comfort and reassurance. 

Tempt them with fresh food or high quality single protein treats to encourage eating.

Create a safe and comfortable feeding area:

find a quiet spot for your dog to eat without distractions, making mealtimes a more relaxed experience. 

A general low appetite:

A dog's appetite often changes based on their energy needs, which are influenced by their level of physical activity. 

After vigorous exercise, such as long hikes or intense play session, dogs burn more energy and may feel hungrier.

Try:

Pre dinner Walkies:

A short walk before dinner can help build up an appetite. 

Just make sure not to exercise your dog immediately after eating to avoid any digestive issues such as BLOAT.

Individual exercise plan:

Not sure how much exercise your dog needs? Consult your vet or a qualified dog trainer to determine the best type and frequency based on their age, breed, and health. 

---

Age and life changes:

Your dog’s age can also affect their eating habits. Puppies and senior often have different dietary needs and preferences. 

Puppies 100% don't need puppy food (don't be mislead by appealing packaging stating puppy food) 

if they’re getting a fresh, nutrient-dense, balanced diet Similarly, older dogs don’t necessarily need ‘senior’ dog food but can benefit from meals rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to support their aging bodies.

Remember high protein is top priority with all dogs regardless of their age, but in particular puppies, need high levels of protein to support building blocks for life such as strong bones, teeth and joints. (You only have a very small window to build important building blocks for puppies which start at 4 weeks old and ends at 16 weeks, but again building blocks is for another blog)

Small dog, big appetite: 

as puppies grow, their portion sizes change. 

Pawsome Grub can help by tailoring portions to your puppy’s needs as they hit growth milestones. 

If your puppy eating kibble, consider switching to gently cooked fresh food that’s easy to eat and digest.

It's all about balance for our senior dogs:

A lighter diet that’s rich in nutrients, but lower in calories is an excellent way to keep your golden oldie in tip-top condition, like Pawsome Grubs slow cooked Chicken or Kangaroo casserole. 

All of our cooked meals contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 from hemp & salmon oils (we use the brand "Provex" as it's locally sourced and a well trusted brand) to promote joint health – great for senior dogs.   

pawsome Grub a game changer for fussy dogs:

Get to know your dogs fussy habits:

All our meals are overseen by a veterinary nutritionists and a pet naturopath, Pawsome Grub meals are designed to be complete, balanced, and packed with real, and wholesome ingredients.

All jam packed with quality proteins designed to match your dog’s unique tastes and needs, even picky eaters will be excited at their next mealtime.

Give your dog meals that bring excitement and health to every bowl, come and join The Grub Club!

My go to recommendation for fussy eaters:

1) feed your pup only once daily to make sure they are hungry for their next meal, absolutely 0 treats at all, nothing!!! it will make meal times a heck of a lot easier.

2) exercise is key a well walked pup is a hungry pup

3) be a little sneaky add your dogs food not in their usual Bowl such as one of your dinner plates,

Even the likes of a Tupperware bowl etc.

4) Heat the food to release all the tasty aromas,

Add slightly cooled boiled water (my favourite trick with my 2) or blast in the microwave for a few seconds.

5) Let them fast for a whole day (it won't do them any harm and is actually really beneficial for tummies etc)

Make sure they have water available at all time though, when my 2 fast I give them bone broth 3 times throughout the day to see them over and it packed full of electrolytes so they are still getting nutrients and helps tick them over for their day of fasting.

6) Feed once daily especially important for dogs who turn their nose up every meal, dogs should eat at least once a day.

To help with processing food and gut health I would suggest to fast for 1 day a week too. (A fasting dog should have water available at all time)

7) last but not least (I consider this to be most important)

If your dog doesn't eat their meal after 15 minutes, pop it away in the fridge until later that day. (Absolutely no treats nothing zilch!) then give them the same meal they were offered earlier that day.

If it happens again back in the fridge until the next day.

This can be repeated for 3 days (as long as they are drinking water) 

Your dog will eat when they have to and establishing a good eating pattern is key, you just have to put your brave pants on and don't give in to them puppy eyes.

(Go on be brave it's for the best)

---