You’d be surprised by the small changes and reasons that can cause a pet to turn their nose up at a particular food; i.e. change in weather/environment, new smells/textures, boredom, lifestyle, etc.! But patience is a virtue and these tips below have been known to help some of the pickiest eaters!
Note: if your pet has suddenly become picky, make sure you rule out any medical causes with your vet first.
Slow Down the Transition
Some pets do best being introduced to new things slowly, and I mean SLOWLY. Even if they’ve been on another raw brand, there are new smells, textures, and ingredients that can overwhelm some pets and decrease their interest in trying new foods!
We recommend starting with 5-10% of the new food mixed in thoroughly with their current food (or as little as ¼-½ tsp for cats and ½-1 tsp for dogs). After 2-3 days of successfully eating that amount, you can increase it again by the starting amount until they’re fully transitioned!
Start by Gently Cooking
Gently cooking releases aromas and changes the texture so that your pet may find it more appetizing! To gently cook Viva, sauté on medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes, making sure to retain any moisture that cooks out for minimal nutrient loss! Slowly decrease the amount of cooking over time.
Click HERE for more information on Cooking Raw Pet Food 🐾
Alternatively, if you already have canned food incorporated into your pet’s diet, first transition them to a mostly canned diet and then to raw, since the textures will be more similar.
Add Tasty Toppers
Toppers are great to include in the beginning stages of transitioning since it can really pique their interest! Canned sardines or tuna (in water, no salt added), freeze-dried treats, nutritional yeast, or any other treats they enjoy are good options! As they start to tolerate the new food, decrease the amount of toppers used.
Image: Sprinkling freeze-dried pet food on the raw food for taste
Close Down the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
Free feeding can cause a pet to lose interest in what’s being offered since they get to dictate their feeding schedule whenever they please. Our recommendation is to get your pet on a feeding schedule. You can even increase the number of meals in a day from 2 to 3 or 4 to compensate for any snacking! Getting them in the habit of eating the food in front of them is key.
Be sure to not leave any raw food out for longer than 15-30 minutes, as bacteria can rapidly grow, leading to GI upset. If they walk away, pick up the bowl and place it in your refrigerator until the next meal. If they don't eat it after the second try, toss the remaining and start with a fresh pack on the next go-around. Once they have a good handle on finishing their food, you can start introducing new things into their diet!
Note: Keep an eye on the amount of food (especially treats) you feed! If we feed our pets too much, their appetite may start to decrease. You can always use our feeding calculator to double-check recommended amounts.
Cats in particular tend to do better on smaller, more frequent meals in a day, and the ideal would be 3-4 small feedings/day!
If you have smaller pets that won't finish a 1lb package in 2-3 days from the fridge, you can check out our other article, How to Portion Raw Food for Small Pets 🐾
Feed the Food at Different Temperatures
The texture of raw food can take some getting used to. Some pets, especially dogs, prefer a crunchier, semi-frozen texture! Thaw the package in the fridge for ~8 or less hours and then cut it into bite-sized pieces for their meal.
Other pets, especially cats, may prefer their meals warmer. Adding some lukewarm water or pet-safe bone broth is an easy way to warm the food! If you would rather warm the food itself than add liquid, you can try a warm water bath. Once the food has thawed, place it in a sealed container or ziplock bag and submerge it in a bowl filled with warm water. Make sure the water is comfortably warm (lukewarm) but not hot, as excessive heat can compromise the food's nutritional value and potentially burn your pet. Periodically stir the bag until you reach the desired temperature.
Make them Work for their Food
It may sound counterintuitive but some pets may find their food more appealing if they have to work for it. This phenomenon is called contra-freeloading and describes how many animals, humans included, prefer to put in some amount of work to obtain a resource rather than to have it completely “for free.”
For dogs, this can take the form of using the food for training. Use a high-pitched voice to excite them and hold the food in your hand to make it seem like a special treat. Lick mats or slow feeders are also great options that require less effort on your part! For cats, have a play session before meals to stimulate their prey drive and hunting instincts which can increase their appetite.
Image: Koda eating a chunk of frozen Viva
Rotate Proteins Regularly (If Your Pet Has Suddenly Become Picky on Raw)
If your pet has been enjoying raw but suddenly turned up their nose one day, they may have gotten bored of the same protein. Having a diverse menu (whether multiple proteins or foods throughout the day, week, or month) can be a great way to pique your pet’s interest again! If your pet’s not used to variety, introduce new things slowly, over time. Once they have a handle for the different recipes and proteins, you can rotate how you see fit.
For smaller pets that may not finish a full package from the fridge within 2-3 days, simply store what will not be used in an air-tight container in the freezer. You can go through that amount from the fridge, and then swap to a new protein once that package is finished.
Make Sure They are Getting Enough Stimulation & Exercise
If pets are not getting enough stimulation outside of mealtime, this can lead to a lack of interest in their food.
1. Daily Exercise: Be sure you're providing your pet with physical exercise! What better way to get your pet stoked for mealtime, than to burn some calories? Here are a few suggestions to get your pets movin' - walks, runs, hiking, flirt pole, cat wheel, etc.
2. Mental Stimulation: A sound mind supports a sound body, which can result in a level head for feeding time. Get them sniffing (hunting/detection/search games or backyard prowling or grazing for a few treats through the grass), puzzle feeders, creating vertical space (for cats) with cat trees and shelves, and of course, training!
Image: Kyo & Remedy walking outside together
Conclusion
Every pet has their preference, and while some will gobble down whatever's in front of them, others may need some help to kick-start their new diet! We hope these tips help your pets adjust to their new food 🐶🐱