Looking for the best dog food for picky eaters? Let us help! Despite their “greedy “I’ll eat anything, including the kitchen sink” reputation, plenty of dogs are fussy when it comes to food. If your pup regularly turns their nose up at what you put in their bowl, check out our best dog foods for picky eaters.
What makes a good-tasting formula? Real, high-quality, aromatic, and flavorful ingredients like human-grade meats, fish, fruits, and veggies, and preparation methods that don’t strip them of their flavor.
Many classic dog food kibbles are extruded in a way that strips them of all taste and nutrition, but thoughtfully baked, air-dried, and freeze-dried kibbles, as well as slow-cooked, raw, and fresh foods, are infinitely more delicious – and nutritious! For more info on fussy eaters and changes in appetite, click here.
Top Picks
- Best Air-Dried Dog Food – Sundays For Dogs
- Best Raw Food – We Feed Raw
- Best Slow-Cooked – ButcherBox Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food
- Best Kibble – ButcherBox Premium Nutrition Dog Food
- Best Wet Food – Redbarn Hearty Canned Stew Lamb & Carrot Recipe
- Best Fresh Food – Nom Nom Beef Mash
- Best Variety Pack – Weruva Best Fido Friend Fun Size Meals
- Best Puppy Pick – Raised Right Human-Grade Puppy Food
- Best Hypoallergenic Food – RawPaws Freeze-Dried Rabbit Recipe
- Best For Sensitive Stomachs – Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Best Air-Dried Dog Food: Sundays For Dogs
Sundays For Dogs is our top air-dried pick for fussy pups, as it comes picky-eater-approved according to the brand. In fact, their customer research found that dogs were 40% more excited to eat their food, winning a third-party taste test 39-0.
Key features:
- Air-dried and created by vets
- Beef, chicken, and turkey flavors
- Natural human-grade ingredients
- 83-91% meat recipes
- With fruits, veggies, seeds, and grains
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- Free from fillers and synthetics
- Noticeably improves health
- Picky-eater approved
- Easy to store and serve
- 36% cheaper
- Made in the USA
- Subscription service
What we like:
Sundays for Dogs is great for picky pups because their gently air-dried recipes retain tons of flavor and aroma, making mealtime way more exciting than boring old kibble.
Founded by vets, there are three flavors on offer, all of which contain all-natural, human-grade ingredients; beef, turkey, and chicken. All of the recipes contain over 80% meat with real fruits, veggies, seeds, and whole grains for complete, balanced nutrition, without fillers or synthetics.
They’re super easy to store and serve and they’re made in the USA for ensured quality. The brand’s customer survey also found that dogs who ate their food regularly saw improved overall health and well-being, including 40% softer coat, 41% more energy, and 30% improved weight.
What to consider:
It’s a subscription service, but they offer customized plans at 36% cheaper than similar competitors, so there’s no need to be put off if you’re on a budget. The only other drawback is that they only have three recipes (beef, turkey, and chicken). It would be nice to see some sort of fish or maybe a novel protein like duck.
- Created by vets
- Fresh & air-dried
- Human grade ingredients
- 90% meat & 10% superfoods like blueberries & broccoli
Best Raw Food: We Feed Raw
We Feed Raw is the #1 pre-made raw dog food delivery company in the US. It’s a subscription service that allows you to tailor your dog’s meal plan according to their breed, age, and more!
Key features:
- 100% raw and minimally processed
- #1 Pre-made raw dog food delivery company
- Tailored meal plans
- Six protein source options
- Human-grade meats
- Cold-pressed to eliminate bacteria
- Formulated by PhD animal nutritionist
- Nutritionally complete and balanced
- Optimal protein and essential nutrients
- Highly digestible
- Improves whole body health
- No fillers or additives
- Safely prepared, packaged, and shipped
- AAFCO and USDA-compliant
- Biodegradable packaging
- Subscription service
- Free cold-shipping nationwide
What we like:
We Feed Raw is a fantastic choice for picky eaters because their minimally processed, raw recipes offer the pure, natural taste dogs instinctively crave. All of their meals are 100% raw and minimally processed for maximum flavor and digestibility. In fact, there’s no cooking involved at all, just a cold pressure treatment to remove harmful bacteria. They’re the most minimally processed foods of their kind, with no fillers or additives, and more variety than any of their rivals.
There are six protein sources to choose from, including chicken, beef, venison, and duck, and all of their recipes are formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist. Each delicious recipe is nutritionally complete with essential nutrients and optimal protein levels for healthy weight and energy levels, healthy skin and coat, and better digestion, as well as fewer allergy symptoms and more mealtime excitement.
What to consider:
Subscription services aren’t right for everyone, but they offer great value and free cold shipping worldwide. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to reserve some freezer space for the food!
Premade raw meals, delivered to your doorstep. A balanced raw diet for dogs can be tailored to your pet's size, age, and tastes. They've made it easy to get started with a raw diet for your dog in just a few clicks.
Best Slow-Cooked: ButcherBox Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food
If you want home-cooked style meals, ButcherBox Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition Fresh Dog Food is our top pick. They’re another subscription service that tailors your dog’s plan to their needs, with dry and slow-cooked foods to choose from, as well as supplements, toys, and more. However, their slow-cooked food is our favorite for fussy eaters!
Key features:
- Chicken and grass-fed beef recipes
- Slow-cooked to lock in flavor and nutrition
- All natural and certified organic
- 50% meat 50% superfoods
- Fruits, veggies, oats, and more
- Enhanced with pre and post-biotics
- Developed and tested by vets
- Sustainably sourced
- Gluten-free
- Hormone and antibiotic-free meat
- No artificial additives or fillers
- Variety packs available
- Customized meal plan subscriptions
- Made in the USA
What we like:
Premium Slow-Cooked Nutrition from ButcherBox for Pets is perfect for picky eaters because the slow-cooking method locks in irresistible aromas and rich flavors, making each meal super appealing. It comes in two flavors; organic chicken and grass-fed beef, with variety packs on offer for dogs who get bored easily.
All of the ingredients are certified organic and sustainably sourced. Each formula has been developed and tested by vets, with 50% meat content and 50% superfoods like oats, dried kelp, blueberries, and sweet potato. They’re also enhanced with pre and post-biotics for optimal digestion and are free from additives, fillers, hormones, and antibiotics.
What to consider:
They’re not suitable for dogs with hardcore grain allergies as they contain oats. The only other consideration is that they’re only available as part of a subscription plan. However, you can add them to the next food on our list!
A sous-vide style fresh dog food where antibiotic-free, certified humane meat makes up over 50% of the recipe. Fortified with whole food ingredients for premium nutrition and enhanced with pre- and post-biotics to ensure healthy digestion.
Best Kibble: ButcherBox Premium Nutrition Dog Food
ButcherBox Premium Nutrition Dog Food is our top kibble pick for its premium quality. It’s certified organic and sustainably sourced, with a nutrition profile that suits all breeds and sizes.
Key features:
- Certified organic dry food
- Developed and tested by vets
- Sustainably sourced
- Human-grade ingredients
- Free-range chicken
- High-fiber sweet potato
- Ancient grains like quinoa
- Hormone and antibiotic-free
- No artificial additives or fillers
- Produced with minimal waste
- Made in the USA
- Comes in 1.8 kg bags
- Subscription service
What we like:
It’s been carefully developed and tested by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and made in the USA using minimal waste. Organic free-range chicken is the first listed ingredient, with wholesome grains like quinoa and digestive superfoods like sweet potato. It contains no artificial additives or fillers, and all of the meat used is raised free from hormones and antibiotics.
What to consider:
Again, subscription services aren’t right for everyone, but ButcherBox is fantastic value for money and offers regular deals and discounts for their customers.
Full review: Read our full review here.
Delicious, nutritious, sustainably sourced food and treats where ButcherBox meat is the #1 ingredient.
- Free from antibiotics & added hormones
- Never using added colors, fillers, or artificial preservatives
- Companion-grade, made with high-quality ButcherBox meat
Best Wet Food: Redbarn Hearty Canned Stew Lamb & Carrot Recipe
The Redbarn Hearty Canned Stew Lamb & Carrot Recipe is our top wet food pick for fussy eaters, with a delicious, nutritious formula sure to get tails wagging.
Key features:
- Lamb and carrots in pumpkin gravy
- High-quality ingredients
- Supports healthy eyes, brain, heart, gut, coat, and skin
- Grain-free
- Auto-ship discounts
- Made in the USA
What we like:
It’s made with the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the globe, including lamb and carrots in pumpkin gravy. The recipe supports healthy hearts, brains, eyes, and digestion, as well as healthy coats and skin. It’s made in the USA for ensured quality without the use of grains for sensitive tummies.
What to consider:
It’s a little on the pricey side, but they offer discounts on auto-ship subscriptions for loyal customers. Another thing to consider (although not as a drawback) is that Redbarn’s stews are designed to work well with a rotation diet. So, you can mix and match to keep your picky dog happy!
Packed with real meat and high-quality, garden-fresh ingredients, Redbarn's new Stews are an easy solution to feeding your dog a nutritious, high-protein diet. Made with Real LAMB.
Best Fresh Food: Nom Nom Beef Mash
Our top pick for lovers of fresh food is Nom Nom Beef Mash. Nom Nom is dedicated to helping owners find the best plan for their dogs based on their specific needs and diet history, with special attention paid to sensitive tummies and picky eaters.
Key features:
- Beef with potatoes, eggs, peas, and carrots
- Formulated by vets to meet AAFCO standards
- Gently cooked
- Minimally processed
- Complete nutrition
- Whole-body health
- Free from grains and fillers
- Made in the USA
- Tailored meal plans
- Subscription service
- Trials available
What we like:
All of the brand’s recipes are formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists to meet nutrition levels established by AAFCO Food Nutrient Profiles, and their beef mash formula is no exception!
It contains high-quality, protein-packed beef, with potatoes, eggs, and nutrient-rich peas and carrots for complete nutrition and whole-body health. It’s been minimally processed and gently cooked for maximum digestibility and it’s also free from grains and fillers.
What to consider:
It’s only available on subscription, but they offer trial runs so you can see if it’s right for you. They also offer one-off sampler packs if you want to try out some of their other varieties to see which your picky dogs like best.
- Veterinary formulated
- Subscription service & home delivery
- Nutrient-rich vegetables
- Complete & balanced meals
Best Variety Pack: Weruva Best Fido Friend Fun Size Meals
If your picky eater gets bored easily, set them up with a range of tasty meals with this awesome variety pack. The Weruva Best Fido Friend Fun Size Meals features eight delicious flavors including chicken breast with liver and rice and duck with rice in broth.
Key features:
- Wet food variety pack
- Eight delicious flavors
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- All-natural ingredients
- Ethically and sustainably sourced meat
- Made with veggies and rice
- Prepared in a human food facility
- Free from gluten, carrageenan, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives
- Family-owned business
- Takes part in a recycling scheme
What we like:
All of the recipes offer complete and balanced nutrition from all-natural, ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients like cage-free chicken and grass-fed beef with easy-to-digest grains and veggies like peas, pumpkin, and rice. They’re also gluten-free and free from carrageenan, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives.
The high moisture content can help to keep your pup hydrated, and it’s high in protein for active lifestyles. Weruva is a family-owned company that makes their meals in human food facilities, so you know you’re getting the best. They also offer a great return scheme in which your used packaging can get repurposed into handy communal objects.
What to consider:
Most of the packs contain chicken, making it unsuitable for dogs with poultry allergies.
This all-natural food features a savory gravy atop chicken, duck, salmon, sirloin tips, ham, and rice for a digestive boost. It’s free from gluten, carrageenan, corn, wheat, soy, preservatives, and artificial colors. Even the pickiest pup will lap up these tasty flavors, and you can rest easy knowing you’re giving him a fur-esh, high-quality meal!
Best Puppy Pick: Raised Right Human-Grade Puppy Food
If you’ve got a fussy young pup, you should try Raised Right Human-Grade Puppy Food. They’re a family-owned company with a rich agricultural history that offers one-off buys and subscriptions with custom meal plans and treats, as well as sample boxes for new customers. They’re also plastic-neutral certified and offer Carbonfree® shipping.
Key features:
- Beef, chicken, and turkey flavors
- Slow-cooked limited-ingredient meals
- One-off purchases and subscriptions
- Sample boxes available
- Vet-designed formulas
- Human-grade and lab-tested ingredients
- With organ meat and fish oil
- Superfoods like kelp and spearmint
- Less than 2% carbs in each recipe
- Plastic-neutral certified
- Carbonfree® shipping
- Check Your Pet Food approved
- Innovation Award winner
What we like:
Designed alongside a veterinarian, it comes in beef, chicken, and turkey flavors. All of the recipes are low-carb and slow-cooked to home-cooked style perfection, with human-grade, lab-tested, limited ingredients including heart, liver, and cod liver oil, as well as organic spearmint, dried kelp, and berries.
You know it’s sure to taste great, as they’re the first company to voluntarily submit their formula to be tested by Check Your Pet Food. They were also recognized by the Innovative Veterinary Care Journal in 2019 with the Innovation Award for Nutrition.
What to consider:
Low carb is not necessarily right for every dog and once defrosted, the meals must be eaten within six days.
Raised Right works with veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker to formulate limited ingredient recipes that are high in protein and low in carbs. Most of their recipes have less than 2% carbs because they use ZERO high carb fillers like potato, rice, oats, yam, squash, pasta, barley, parsnips, corn, or wheat.
Best Hypoallergenic Food: RawPaws Freeze-Dried Rabbit Recipe
If you have a pup that suffers from protein allergies, check out RawPaws Freeze-Dried Rabbit Recipe. Its sole protein source is rabbit; considered to be hypoallergenic for dogs.
Key features:
- 100% freeze-dried raw rabbit
- 45% muscle, 45% organ, and 10% bone
- Hypoallergenic protein source
- Use as a whole meal, topper, or treat
- No antibiotics, steroids, or hormones
- Locally sourced and eco-friendly
- Prepared in a licensed and inspected facility
- Made in small batches in the USA
- The company donates to charity
What we like:
It’s made of 45% raw muscle, 45% raw organ, and 10% raw bone, freeze-dried to ensure food safety and easy, hygienic preparation. The rabbit is locally sourced and raised without the use of antibiotics, steroids, or added hormones. You can serve it as a whole meal on its own or use it as a tasty topper or treat.
It’s made in small batches in a licensed, inspected facility in the USA to ensure strict quality and safety standards, and the brand is committed to making their products as eco-friendly as possible. They also donate a portion of their proceeds to charity, so you can feel extra good about buying from them.
What to consider:
It’s on the expensive side, which is to be expected for such a niche, high-quality product, but it’s worth it if you need something hypoallergenic and high in protein. Plus, orders ship same day nationwide, so it’ll be with you quickly!
Crafted in the USA in small batches, this freeze-dried rabbit recipe delivers a premium raw diet with 45% muscle, 45% organ, and 10% bone—mimicking the alpha-prey diet. Sourced from responsibly raised rabbits, it’s free from antibiotics and hormones, offering a fresh, nutritious meal, treat, or topper.
Best For Sensitive Stomachs: Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is designed for dogs with allergies and sensitivities, with real salmon and natural prebiotic fiber.
Key features:
- Real salmon and fish oil
- Sunflower oil
- Rice and oatmeal
- Natural prebiotic fibers
- Rich in vitamin A
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Highly digestible
- Supports gut health
- Healthy skin and coat
- No fillers ingredients
What we like:
It’s rich in vitamin A and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids from salmon, fish oil, and sunflower oil for skin and coat health, as well as strong joints and mobility. It’s also high in protein for active dogs and rich in antioxidants for a strong immune system, with highly digestible rice and oatmeal, and natural prebiotic fibers for optimal gut health.
What to consider:
It’s not suitable for dogs with intolerances to rice and oat grains.
FAQs
Why is my dog so picky with their food?
Certain breeds are just pickier than others. Small breeds, like Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese dogs, for example, tend to be quite fussy eaters, but any dog can have a picky personality.
Why has my dog’s appetite changed?
Changes in a dog’s appetite can occur from age, stress, illness, injury, allergies, or changes to their food or eating environment. Watch for other signs of a problem, and talk to your vet if you’re unsure what to do.
How do I deal with a picky eater?
The best way to deal with a picky eater is trial and error. Once you find something they like, stick to it and keep things interesting with different toppers and textures, such as adding warm water to dry food. If your dog gets bored easily, you can try similarly flavored foods from another brand or different flavors by the one they like.
Final Thoughts
Do you have a picky eater? Drop your top tips for food-fussy dogs in the comments down below and let us know which of our top picks you’re going to try for yourself. For an easy, delicious homemade treat sure to please even the pickiest of pups, check out our peanut butter banana dog treat recipe!
