Feeding Management

How to Encourage Finicky Pets to Eat

• Finicky eating can be an inherent or learned behavior or may be an indication of another issue. Rule out the following factors: 
  • Overfeeding.
  • Misunderstanding normal feeding behavior or innate regulation of food intake.
  • Strong preference for a particular flavor or texture of food.
  • Food spoilage or expiration.
  • Satiety/fullness from consuming too many treats.
• Warming food to body temperature can increase the smell of food and help stimulate eating. 
  • Both cats and dogs are motivated to eat by the smell, taste and texture of pet food. 
  • Food attributes such as temperature or kibble/chunk size also influence food intake. 
• Feeding wet food, especially with a gravy, or adding a complementary food topper can encourage eating.  
• For dogs, adding warm water to dry food may encourage eating.