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?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
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!
5Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 29th, 2019
Try changing his dry food first. Royal Canin and Purina ProPlan tend to be some of the most palatable. Here is a link with some information about picky eaters: https://www.petcoach.co/article/my-pet-is-a-finicky-eater/ I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 4th, 2017
Buddy is adorable! Science diet is a great food and I highly recommend it. I would start by mixing 75% old food 25% new food and feed that for a couple of days. Then go to 50% old and 50% new food, and feed that for a couple of days. Move him to 25% old food and 75% new food for another couple of days, and then feed him 100% new food only. It's fine to add in some ProPlan canned food as well, and you can slowly decrease the amount you give him over two weeks until he is eating the dry food only. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 3rd, 2017
As long as Spike isn't losing weight or showing signs of gastrointestinal disease like vomiting or diarrhea he may just be a picky eater. You could try mixing in canned food, or if he is the only dog at home it is also okay to fill his bowl and leave it out for the day - he'll eat when he's hungry enough. It's important that you don't offer treats or people food during this time. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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