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My dog is a picky eater. Can I mix kibble with rice and chicken?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | unspayed | 1 year old | 17 lbs

Hi. My dog doesn't like to eat kibbles and only eats boiled rice and chicken.. So I have started to crush Pedigree kibbles and mix it with rice and chicken.. Is it ok?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 2nd, 2018

This is perfectly fine to do. I would slowly add more and more kibble crushed up and slowly add more non crushed pieces. When you do this slowly take some chicken and rice out. If you do it gradually you may have more luck with Jessi eating it. You can also get wet food and see if she would rather that. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 1st, 2018

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sometimes it can be very difficult to get dogs to eat what you want them to eat. The boiled rice/chicken is a good diet for now, but you are right, she needs more of a balance. I would start with some canned food and see if you can mix a bit of that into her chicken/rice mix to get her started on the dog food train. Otherwise, you can try feeding her only dog food in the morning, and hold out until late in the evening, or even hold off for a day, to see if she will eventually eat the dog food, when she has no other option. Best of luck with Jessi!

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