You view your dog as a cherished companion, and feeding them well is a profound act of love. The frustration of dealing with a picky eater often stems from the dilemma of trying to balance optimal nutrition with irresistible flavor.
At ZEAL Pet Food, we eliminate the need for compromise. Our philosophy ensures that our 94–96% premium meat and organ recipes naturally provide the dense nutrition and intense flavor that dogs instinctively crave. Dog’s and cat’s instincts kick in when recipes like ZEALs provide natural and highly nutritious ingredients.
But if mealtime has become a struggle, here is our expert guide to transforming the bowl, ensuring your dog receives the best-in-class nutrition they deserve.
10 Strategies to Entice Your Picky Pup
1. Boost Aroma with Moisture-Rich Toppers
A spoonful of ZEAL New Zealand Wet Food mixed into dry food adds essential moisture and significantly boosts the meal's aroma and palatability, enticing reluctant eaters. This is a simple change that can go a long way.
2. Leverage the Power of Air-Dried Palatability
Use ZEAL Canada Air-Dried food as your nutritional base or sprinkle pieces over their existing meal. This food is highly palatable because its gentle, low-temperature process retains the intense natural flavor of the raw meat and organs.
3. Introduce Novel Proteins to Prevent Boredom
Dietary monotony can lead to pickiness. Rotate proteins like Lamb (wet food), Venison (wet food), or Salmon & Duck (air-dried) into their routine to keep your pet engaged at mealtime. Novel proteins also benefit dogs who may have underlying sensitivities to common meats.
4. Switch to the High-Fat Option for Flavor
If your dog is underweight or simply needs extra motivation, switch to a richer flavor. Our Air-Dried Salmon & Duck Recipe is ZEAL’s most energy-rich air-dried formula (crude fat around 35% min). The high-fat content and the strong fishy aroma of salmon often win over fussy eaters.
5. Use Air-Dried Pieces as High-Value Rewards
Stop using carb-heavy biscuits. The jerky-like nuggets of air-dried food, made with 96% meat and organs, serve as irresistible and healthy training rewards. You can break the pieces into smaller, high-value bits for easy training.
6. Provide Textural Variety with Mixed Feeding
Utilize a mixed feeding regimen—pairing the soft, chewy texture of air-dried nuggets with the smooth pâté or loaf of our wet food. This textural variety helps satisfy pets and can prevent pickiness.
7. Choose Simple, Clean Labels
Reject traditional kibble that uses fillers, grains, and gums. These ingredients often cause digestive upset or lack the natural aroma to appeal to a carnivore. ZEAL’s commitment to a zero tolerance for fillers ensures that nearly every ingredient is functional and easily recognizable.
8. Address Underlying Digestive Discomfort
Sometimes, pickiness stems from discomfort or digestive sensitivities. Choose formulas that are enhanced with natural digestive aids like Ginger Root (to soothe the gastrointestinal tract) or Pumpkin (which contributes soluble fiber for gut regularity).
9. Transition Slowly to Avoid Upset
Even highly palatable food needs a proper introduction. Introduce new proteins and formats gradually, mixing a small amount with their current food and slowly increasing the portion over 7–10 days. This allows the dog's digestive system to smoothly adapt to the concentrated, meat-rich nutrition.
10. Consider a Truly Novel Protein for Allergies
If persistent pickiness is accompanied by itching or GI issues, a food allergy may be present. Try a single-source novel protein like New Zealand Venison Wet Food. Venison is the go-to choice for the most sensitive tummy or skin and can alleviate chronic problems that suppress appetite.
By choosing ZEAL, you are selecting a diet that is Reliable, Traceable, and Sustainable. Our dedication to quality sourcing from New Zealand and Canada’s pristine environments means you are providing nutrition you can trust.
Make the intentional shift to whole food nutrition. Return the unconditional love™ with a meal they can't resist.
