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My small dog is a picky eater. Is it normal or should I change food?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 2 years and 1 month old

My dog has been a picky eater for as long as I’ve had her. We avoid giving her table food and treats, I feed her at the same time everyday, and after 15 min I take away her food. Some days we have good days and she eats all her food, and other days she’ll barely eat. We currently give her a mix of wet and dry food, Purina one smart blend. Should I try a different brand? I’ve been told this is just normal for small dogs.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on January 9th, 2018

As long as she eats and is not losing weight, don't stress out over it. It is true that smaller breeds can be a bit more finicky. Switching foods would not be recommended as it can lead to gastrointestinal upset and reinforce her finicky nature. Instead, try mixing in a bit of warm water or a teaspoon of baby food to stimulate the appetite.

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