When it comes to food, we all have different likes and dislikes. Dogs are no different.
Introducing new foods to your fussy dog can be a process, and you may find that they’re reluctant or even stubborn about it. However, persistence is key, and there are ways you can encourage your pupper to explore and extend their palette.
Take it slow
When introducing a new diet, a slow approach is always best. Start by giving a very small amount of the new food – we say to aim for 25% (or less!) to begin with. By doing this, you will allow your pupper to become familiar with the new food and give their microbiome a chance to adjust. Remember, some puppers may be instinctively wary of new foods as a survival tactic, so you will need to be patient. For some puppers, their previous diet may have had a limited set of ingredients compared to Lyka, for example, so their new diet could potentially cause sensory overload if introduced too quickly.
Make it interesting
Puppers are drawn to food by their snoot and sense of smell. To enhance the scent of their new food, you can warm it up slightly – just be careful not to make it too warm, we don’t want any burnt tongues! Adding some of their favourite healthy foods or treats within the mix or as a topper can be a great option to spark a positive association. Our Lyka pack love using our drool-worthy line-up of single protein treats to add some extra taste and crunch to mealtime!
Change it up
If your pupper has always been fussy, it may be the environment they are being fed in. Changing their bowl or even moving the location of their bowl could make things a little more exciting for when it’s time to chow down. Changing their regular routine and establishing a new one, can add excitement and interest, which may spark your pupper’s appetite.
Why is my pupper continuing to be fussy?
Often, puppers are fussy because they are set in their ways, with several factors at play, such as:
Their body may be craving sugar, salt or starch, which were present in their old diet, meaning they could be reliant on those foods. These cravings can cause your pup to feel lethargic and even create dysbiosis, an imbalance of the gut bacteria causing various digestive disturbances.
Moving to a new diet will likely disrupt their gut microbiome as they are introduced to a range of new micronutrients. Any upsets should only last a few days if following the transition guide correctly.
Textural issue. The texture of Lyka is different to kibble, raw food or even homemade food. The smell, taste and overall experience of a new diet may be distinctive compared to their old food, so puppers are naturally wary.
Don’t worry though, all of these issues can be overcome with time and patience, and you’ll soon have that tail wagging at mealtime.
Lyka: Happy puppers from snoot to tail
Formulated by our co-founder and in-house Integrative Veterinarian, Dr. Matthew Muir, alongside a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists, our six signature recipes have been given the lick of approval from our pack. Made with human-grade whole food and superfood ingredients, our fresh, drool-worthy meals are bursting with goodness and are bound to get tongues and tails wagging. Are you ready to embark on a fresh food journey with your pupper? Join the pack today!
