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How do I get my picky dog to eat dry food when he prefers wet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Male | neutered | 1 year and 7 months old | 10 lbs

I have a very picky eater. He is part chihuahua and part jack Russell. I have tried so many different kinds of dry food and he may eat them for awhile and then just quit eating it. He will eat canned food just fine but I don't want him to just eat canned food all the time. He is about 1 1/2 years old. Do you have any suggestions?

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 21st, 2018

Dogs can sometimes be very picky! You can try mix together the dry and canned food so he can have both at the same time. You can also try soaking the dry food in gently warmed low sodium beef or chicken broth. Over time, decrease the amount of broth you add to the dry food until he is eating the dry food only. It's ok for Buddy to eat canned food only, but I would give him dental chews daily to help keep tartar build up on his teeth. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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