5 Best Tasting Dry Dog Foods

How to Choose a Dry Dog Food with the Best Taste

Some dogs that are fed a dry kibble diet can appear to be picky eaters, leaving their bowl of food untouched morning and evening and causing their loving owners great concern over their dog’s seeming disinterest in food. When a dog will not eat its food, there may be a number of reasons to blame.

Dogs, like their human counterparts, have their own unique tastes. For dogs that turn up their nose at their food, it is possible that the food is not appealing to the dog or that something within it doesn’t agree with their system. If a dog experiences discomfort or an unpleasant side effect such as inflammation or gas from eating a certain food or an ingredient in a kibble, they may simply try to avoid eating their meals until they are overwhelmed with hunger and absolutely must eat to survive.

However, taste and sensitivities to certain foods are not always the culprit behind picky eating. If owners supplement a dog’s meals with human food when the dog will not eat, it can establish a pattern that the dog will then exploit to get to eat something it much prefers. To prevent this from happening, dogs who refuse their meals should not be offered any treats or table scraps of human food until they have eaten the kibble that was offered to them.

Sometimes, failure to eat is a result of a more serious medical condition. This is typically noted when a normally hearty eater is no longer interested in their meals. Should an owner suspect a physical problem, it is best to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian for a wellness exam and assessment. One of the common symptoms seen in dogs with loss of appetite that may be experiencing more serious health problems include tooth pain.

If a veterinarian has ruled out any physical problems that could be leading to a dog refusing to eat its food, it may be time to consider switching its diet to something that will pique the dog’s interest more. The first step in this process is reading the label on the bag of dog food the dog is currently receiving to analyze the quality of the food.

Foods that are high in fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives are poor quality. For some dogs, these kibbles are similar to junk food, and they eagerly lap them up. Others have little interest in them because they lack real nutritional value.

The best tasting dry foods for dogs that are picky eaters are always based on highly flavorful meat proteins. Select a diet that includes whole meats if possible, but meat meals are also a good choice. Carefully avoid any food that contains by-products or plant-based proteins.

Another important consideration is how much activity the dog receives. Dogs that are largely sedentary simply aren’t hungry, and unless their food is extremely tempting, they will not always eat at regularly scheduled mealtimes.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Dry Dog Foods with the Best Taste

Correct portions are vitally important to encourage picky eaters to consume their meals. Overfeeding is the number one reason dogs reject their food.

To determine how much of the best tasting dry dog food to feed a dog, use the suggested serving size on the bag as a starting point. For dogs that have not been eating their kibble for some time, it may be wise to include a little bit less in the dog’s dish to whet the dog’s appetite, adding a little bit more to the next meal to ensure the proper amount of calories.

A dog’s weight, appetite, and activity level will serve as helpful guides in determining correct portion sizes. In dogs with poor eating habits, weight gain is not an issue.

Dietary Requirements for the Best Tasting Dry Dog Foods

When considering a new diet for a picky eater, the most important thing to look for is flavor. However, not all food flavors are created equally.

The best tasting dry dog foods base their foundation on meats that are known to have intense flavors such as poultry, beef, or fish. These types of proteins are extremely attractive to dogs, thus stimulating their appetites. They are also nutritionally complete, providing dogs with many of the vitamins and nutrients they need to remain healthy and well.

By comparison, artificial flavors simulate the taste of meat through the inclusion of chemical agents. They are low in quality and can include such items as by-products. Though the taste of a high-quality protein may be implied, none of the actual benefits of eating a food that contains real meat are present. Always select a food with natural flavors from real meat over a food that is meat-flavored.

Some dogs do resist eating because of digestive discomfort. This is where dietary fiber can greatly help. Foods that list high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in their ingredients list are primed to support fluid digestive processes, thus reducing the potential for gastrointestinal distress in dogs. Probiotics can also provide a great help by encouraging the development of healthy gut flora.

Healthy fats are also a critical component of any diet, providing dogs with energy and ensuring good coat and skin health. The best fats are sourced from animal origins and include chicken fat and salmon oil.

Any dry dog food for adult dogs should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.

Things to Look for in the Best Tasting Dry Dog Food

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a good tasting dry dog food:

• Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
• Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
• Contains highly flavorful ingredients to encourage a hearty appetite