4 Tips to Deal With Picky Eaters

 To help your picky eater adapt to his/her meal:

1. Add water to dry kibble as it enhances the flavor of food

Add about a ¼ cup of filtered water to the top of the bowl of kibble to moisten and enhance the flavor of the pet food. Kibble is dry and brittle, and most pets probably end up swallowing whole pieces rather than chewing them up, which delays the digestive process to break down these pieces. In addition to this, when water is added, the kibble expands and releases an aroma, which can increase your pet's interest. Some pets just prefer wet food to dry, so adding water to kibble can help. Also, adding water to their meals is a way to get them to drink more water and stay hydrated. 

2. Limit the number of treats

When it comes to treats, we need to know how much is too much. Experts say that the treats intake shouldn't exceed 10% of your pet's total calorie intake as too many treats can lead to obesity and nutritional imbalance. Additionally, if you constantly feed your pet with treats, the treats tend to lose their value as a training reward. 

3. Transition to new food slowly and gradually

Getting accustomed to a routine takes time, for you as well as your pet. Whenever you are making a change in their dietary plans, give them some time to adapt to it. Start by combining new food with the old food and gradually increase the amount of new food as you reduce the amount of old food. This will help get your dog accustomed to the new food and avoid a hunger strike.

4. Be strict with a routine

It's okay to spoil your pet once in a while, but be strict with the regular food habits of your pet to keep their dietary needs in check. Avoid ‘free-feeding’ i.e. leaving a bowl filled with dry food for pets to eat whenever they want, as this might result in obesity. Offer meals to your pets at set intervals and make sure they stick to a proper schedule. This method also works well if you have pets that require medication to be mixed with their food, or have a calorie-controlled diet.

Apart from all these minimal changes, if your pet is still reluctant with their food habits, please consult a veterinarian to rule out health issues and analyze the cause of these eating habits.