Many prefer to give their dog prefer dry food; they are readily available, take up little space and don't get as dirty as canned wet ones. But what can you feed him with if you have trouble getting him to eat dry food or kibble? Perhaps the dog simply does not appreciate the taste or texture of normal food or has a broken tooth and pains when chewing on kibble. Start choosing healthier, tastier dry food that your faithful friend likes and incorporate other healthy products into their diet.
Steps
Step 1. Add some water to the treats
Some dogs don't like the texture and firmness of dry food; if this is causing your furry friend not to eat, you could simply add a little water and soften the contents of the bowl. Add just enough to make the food softer, without overdoing it. Thinking in terms of volume, add 40cc of water for every 250cc of food; let the treats soak up the liquid for a minute before giving them to the dog.
Step 2. Add some tasty sauce
This solution works like water, but in addition, it offers more flavor. Try rehydrating, low-salt sauce cubes, meat stock, or fish broth. Avoid any ingredient with a high salt content - such as most yeast-based products similar to Vegemite, as dogs are unable to digest it; if you force them to eat it, they could suffer from kidney problems.
Don't substitute a simple sauce for a meal, as it doesn't contain the same nutrients as kibble
Step 3. Mix the food with some broth
Buy a natural one, low in sodium, chicken, beef or even vegetable; look for a product that does not contain onions, as they are toxic to dogs.
Pour about a tablespoon for every 150g of kibble and mix / shake it in the bowl so that the bites absorb the liquid and soften. The dog will appreciate it much more; you can also reheat the broth in the microwave, but don't overdo it
Step 4. Finely slice half a banana (or 1/3 depending on size) or puree it and add it to the bites in the bowl
Not all dogs like this fruit, but some do enjoy it; in addition, it is very rich in potassium, fiber and magnesium.
Step 5. Add some spices
The canine sense of taste is similar to that of humans, so why not spice up your faithful friend's food a little with a handful of herbs? By doing this, you enrich the meal with an inviting smell that may be enough to cause the dog to empty the bowl of kibble.
Oregano has many antioxidant properties; rosemary is rich in iron, calcium and vitamin B6; mint extract is especially useful for the digestive system of the animal; basil and parsley are excellent antioxidants. A few sprinkles of spice are enough to pour on the pet's food to create a culinary masterpiece for your four-legged friend
Step 6. Add some healthy liver-based morsels
Contact the pet store clerks for advice on the best product.
- Crumble it into pieces to spread over dry food. Add liver to his meal and you have a dog that can't wait to eat; it is a situation that satisfies everyone: you have a healthier dog and he appreciates some tasty treats. The liver is rich in vitamins B, A and K, has a high iron content, and your friend really likes it.
- But remember that you can overdo it with good things too. High levels of vitamin A, in the long run, can cause a disease that causes the bones to fuse together. Avoid offering the liver to the dog daily and for a long time; you can give it to him for a week, but don't start this habit.
Step 7. Add some hard boiled eggs
It is an exceptional source of protein that the dog appreciates immensely. Cooked egg whites are easy to digest, while yolks retain greater nutritional values when raw; Most dogs have no problem with the bacteria found in raw eggs, but you can make them soft-boiled, hard-boiled or scrambled if you prefer.
An egg provides about 70 calories and is sufficient for an adult dog of medium to large build; if you have a small specimen, give it only half
Step 8. Add low sodium green beans
To make the food tastier in an easy way, you can incorporate canned vegetables, but remember to throw away the preservative liquid. Opt for low-salt green beans as this substance is harmful to any dog.
- To start, add a tablespoon of green beans to the croquettes;
- If the dog likes this vegetable, add another half tablespoon;
Step 9. Add some crunchy ingredients
Try mixing 6-7 soup croutons in the kibble bowl; could give the meal a texture much appreciated by the dog.
To achieve a similar effect, use a small piece of lightly toasted white bread, crumble it on dry food and mix everything; in doing so, your furry friend eats the bread along with the croquettes, although he may have some left over. However, most of the specimens finish the meal later, as the smell of bread persists on the last of the croquettes
Step 10. Try carrots
Cook one or buy canned ones and cut it into small pieces before mixing it thoroughly in the food bowl. Grated carrots are also perfect because they are sweet and attract almost all dogs; are rich in beta-carotene and vitamins C, A and K.
Step 11. Heat the food
In some cases, older individuals lose their appetite because their sense of smell is weakened. The kibble, even if delicious, are no longer able to attract them simply because the animals no longer perceive the smell; Sometimes, you can get around this by heating the meal in the microwave for about 15 seconds so that the aroma spreads and your dog can follow in its wake.
Step 12. Handle stubborn behavior if necessary
Contrary to popular belief, you can teach new behaviors to both young and adult individuals even without wanting to. For example, imagine your furry friend is reluctant to eat on any given day. This behavior makes you worry and you end up paying a lot of attention to the animal, you offer it tasty morsels of your meal, you allow it to eat from your hand and you praise it every time it takes something. At this point, the animal understands that by not eating the usual kibble it can get tasty human food and a lot of attention.
If you know for a fact that he is in good health and you suspect he doesn't want to eat just to get a few tasty bites and extra pampering, let him give up this habit. Put the food bowl on the ground for 30 minutes and leave the room. When you return, take away any leftover food and do not offer it again until the next meal. Don't give it tasty morsels and don't make it a national case. It is not easy to comply with this course of action (both for you and for the dog), but in the end the animal "settles his head" and resumes eating as usual
Advice
- Always buy low-sodium foods; salty food damages the dog's kidneys.
- You can add a little water instead of the broth and shake the bowl a little to soften the kibble just enough.
- Gradually manage the transition phase from one food to another. If you are trying to get your dog used to switching from wet to dry food and are encountering resistance, take your time. Gradually increase the proportion of kibble to canned food over about two weeks; eventually you should only be able to fill the bowl with kibble, as the animal has adapted to their flavor and texture.
- You can try different combinations of the proposals described in the article; Most dogs like liver treats, so use them first.
