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Feeding your dog

Here you can find out what makes a balanced diet for dogs and how to switch your dog onto a new food. Learn how dogs' dietary needs change over time and how to deal with a fussy eater.

Is your dog a fussy eater?

If your dog’s otherwise healthy, but off their food, it’s not always easy to work out why they’re being fussy.
  • Does your dog look uncomfortable or in pain when they’re eating? It’s possible there’s something wrong with your dog’s mouth or throat, so get them to the vet.
  • Is your dog getting enough chance to walk off their food? If they don’t always get a regular walk, it’s time to start.
  • For puppies, it could be because they’re teething. If your pup’s stepped up their chewing activity, teething pain could be the reason. Try mixing some dry food kibbles in with their usual wet food.
  • Are you serving your dog’s food from the fridge? Try warming it up to body temperature before serving it – this’ll make it more comfortable to eat, and also release more flavour from the food.
  • Has your dog’s food been left out for a while? It’s probably just lost its flavour, just like our food would.
  • Are you trying a new brand or new flavour of dog food? Abrupt changes can lead to vomiting or diarrhoea, so switch foods gradually over the course of a week.
  • Can your dog eat uninterrupted? Check that they can eat on their own without being disturbed.
  • If your dog is still not eating, try mixing a little lard into their food.
    • Other possible reasons for going off their food include emotional changes – perhaps their favourite member of the family has gone away, or there’s a new pet in the house. Or if your dog’s going through puberty, they may just have other things on their mind.

    If your dog has other symptoms, take them to your vet for a check-up.

    See our selection of Pedigree foods
Is your dog a fussy eater?

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