February News

I hope everyone is staying safe and warm. Today I want to talk about finicky eaters, a topic inspired by a recent question in our Paws and Pawrents Facebook group. This issue comes up often and is worth discussing.

What and how you feed your doodle, is your business. I feed my dogs Taste of the Wild and allow them to graze. That has worked well for us, but it’s not the only way.

Many dogs labeled as “picky eaters” may simply be more motivated by aroma than flavor, since their incredible sense of smell (up to 300 million scent receptors) far outweighs their limited taste buds (about 1,700). If meals are upgraded after hesitation, dogs can learn to hold out for what they believe might be tastier options. Goldendoodles and Sproodles, being highly intelligent and perceptive, notice these patterns quickly. Don’t worry—supplying consistent meals, minimal toppers, and calm routines can gently guide your dog toward stress-free mealtimes and prevent pickiness.

If you opt to add some flavor boosts to your dog’s diet, I’ve gathered a few suggestions based on a non-poultry, non-beef diet. The key is to use a high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food and add a small amount of flavor boost; these suggestions are not meant to replace the primary food.

1. Pick a Nutritionally Complete Base Food—and Commit

Dogs don’t need novelty; they benefit most from predictability, which helps them feel secure during mealtime.

· Choose a complete, balanced food the dog tolerates well

· Feed the same base food daily

· Evaluate appetite over weeks, not meals

Avoid

· Frequent brand or protein hopping

· “Let’s try something else” after one refusal

· Consistency creates trust with food.

At my house

I provide variety for my dogs by feeding the same brand of food (so the base recipe is consistent) and swapping proteins every bag or two. The transition is consistently seamless, with no need for several days of blending. They eat bison for a couple of weeks, then fish. We skip lamb and legumes because of Jack’s stinky reaction; it’s brutal.

On rare occasions:

· Crushed dehydrated liver (from Costco) and use it as a dusting, stirred into their dry food.

• Forti Flora probiotic – one of the few probiotics tested as effective for dogs. This can be sprinkled lightly on meals when needed, not as a daily topper unless advised by your vet.

· Grated Parmesan cheese

2. Warm, Aromatic Proteins (Non-Poultry)

Warming food can be the most reliable way to encourage a healthy appetite, so it’s a helpful tool if your dog ever seems hesitant at mealtime.

Best options

· Sardines (in water, no salt)

· Mackerel

· Salmon

· Whitefish (cod, haddock, pollock)

· Lamb

· Venison

· Rabbit

· Goat

· Duck only if duck is already tolerated (still a poultry—often okay, but not hypoallergenic)

Why do these work

· Strong natural aroma

· High palatability

· Lower allergen likelihood (especially fish)

Important Reminder

Treats should be given sparingly, especially if you're trying to establish a regulated meal plan.

3. Don’t Confuse Pickiness with Medical Issues

To start this process, it’s essential to rule out health matters early:

Red flags

· Skipping meals for 48+ hours

· Weight loss

· Dental pain

· Nausea signs (lip licking, grass eating)

· Eating treats but not meals consistently

If you notice ongoing issues, like reluctance to eat, remember that even the best nutrition strategies won’t work if your dog’s health is a concern. Checking with a vet is comforting and a positive step toward finding a solution.

4. Remember

A dog that occasionally skips a meal is no cause for worry.

A dog that expects constant upgrades can be gently retrained with calm, steady routines.