How to make dry dog food more appealing

Dogs are carnivores and their natural diet is meat. Dry dog food is a convenient, affordable way to provide your dog with the nutrients they need, but it can be challenging to get them to eat it. Here are some tips for making dry dog food more appealing so your furry friend will stay healthy and happy.

How to make dry dog food more appealing

Dogs are carnivores and their natural diet is meat. Dry dog food is a convenient, affordable way to provide your dog with the nutrients they need, but it can be challenging to get them to eat it. Here are some tips for making dry dog food more appealing so your furry friend will stay healthy and happy.

1. Tip 1: Grind the food. Grinding up dry dog food will help expose more surface area and make it easier for your dog to digest. It also makes the kibble smaller, which may fool your dog into thinking they’re eating a larger meal than they actually are. Note: this does not work as well with softer foods like canned or moist dog food.
2. Tip 2: Warm the dog food slightly. Warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven dry dog food is much more appealing than cold, leftover dry dog food from yesterday’s meal. If you feed your dog twice a day and keep their kibble in an airtight container in the refrigerator, take it out 15–30 minutes before feeding to warm it up.
3. Tip 3: Add a flavor boost. There are many products on the market that you can use to improve the smell and taste of dry dog food. Try adding one tablespoon of olive oil or some Parmesan cheese, salmon oil, coconut oil, low sodium chicken broth, beef bouillon cubes, tuna water, canned cat food, or any product specifically labeled as a flavor enhancer for pet foods.
4. Tip 4: Add water or broth. This is a tried and true method that works well with most dogs. Mix one part dry dog food to two parts warm water (or low sodium chicken broth) and your dog will be much more interested in eating.
5. Tip 5: Make it interesting. Dogs are easily distracted when they eat, so give them something to do by creating an interactive food toy for them. Try putting dry dog food inside a plastic water bottle or treat ball and let your dog roll it around to get the kibble out. You can also make a homemade puzzle feeder using a muffin tin and a few tennis balls. You can also try using a food dehydrator or oven to make your dog’s food more fun to eat by making it crunchy rather than soft and fluffy.
6. Tip 6: Take them for a walk as soon as they finish eating. Taking your dog out on a short walk after they’ve eaten will help them feel more satisfied and will keep them from begging for more food.