One pet owner recently faced a dilemma about what food to give their dog, Ddorong. Ddorong has become increasingly picky about food. Even the kibble that the dog used to eat well is now being rejected, with Ddorong either turning away or barely eating it. Feeling sorry for the dog eating only one type of food, the owner decided to offer various options.
Just as people have different food preferences, dogs also have unique tastes. This variability explains why dogs may prefer certain pet food products over others. Like Ddorong, some dogs may suddenly lose interest in foods they previously enjoyed.
So, is it beneficial to switch up the type of dog food regularly to keep your pet interested?
Frequent Food Changes May Lead to Digestive Problems
According to the Korean Society of Veterinary Nutrition and the Korea Pet Research Institute on Thursday, dogs that eat only one type of kibble may become bored with it. Introducing new types of kibble often leads to them eating more enthusiastically, a phenomenon known as the novelty effect.
The novelty effect refers to the initial excitement about something new or unfamiliar, which tends to fade over time. In other words, even a new food may eventually become unappealing after some time.
Dr. Kim Hyo Jin, the Korean Society of Veterinary Nutrition academic director and head of the 24-hour Central Animal Medical Center, explained, “If you change the food too frequently in hopes that your dog will eat better, it can easily become a picky eater. While it is possible to change food periodically, changing it too often can lead to digestive issues.”
“Offering a variety of kibble, canned food, and treats at once for the dog to choose from is a cafeteria diet. This approach can quickly exacerbate picky eating habits, so it’s not recommended nutritionally,” she added.
Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Preferences
So, how can we ensure both enjoyment and health when feeding our dogs?
Dogs have about 1,700 taste receptors, significantly fewer than humans’ 9,000. Consequently, they can’t detect flavors as precisely as humans and respond differently to tastes.
Although dogs’ taste sensitivity is relatively low, their sense of smell is 1 to 3 million times more developed than humans’. This means that a dog’s interest in food is more influenced by smell than taste.
Since smell plays a crucial role in determining taste for dogs, it’s important to store food in airtight containers in a cool, dry place to preserve its aroma rather than constantly seeking more flavorful options.
Other than smell, factors such as texture, temperature, and past experiences also influence food choices. Positive experiences with certain foods can increase preference, while negative experiences, such as digestive issues or forced feeding, may lead to aversion.
Heo Ji Yoon, a nutrition professor at Osan University’s Department of Companion Animal Management and vice president of the Korea Pet Nutrition Research Institute, said, “Since each dog has different preferences for specific smells, shapes, sizes, and textures of kibble, it’s important to observe which types your dog likes. Some dogs prefer soft textures, others prefer crunchy food, or they may prefer warm food.”
Switching Dog Food Safely
Heo also explained the pros and cons of frequently changing dog food.
Changing food often can maintain a dog’s interest in meals and help sustain appetite. It may also provide opportunities for more diverse and rich nutrient intake, as different foods can have varying nutritional compositions.
While changing your dog’s food can help maintain their interest and introduce a broader range of nutrients, sudden changes can cause digestive issues like diarrhea or vomiting.
Heo recommended, “When changing food, carefully check the ingredients and gradually introduce the new food over about two weeks by mixing it with the old food. For dogs requiring special dietary management, it’s advisable to consult a veterinarian before making any changes.”
Dr. Kim also advised mixing dry and wet food appropriately to add variety to your dog’s meals while allowing sufficient intervals between changes.
She explained, “To ensure your dog enjoys tasty food for a long time, it’s actually better not to start with the most intense flavors from the beginning.”
This is because if you start with very rich and tasty food, anything less flavorful might seem bland to the dog. It’s better to start with a regular diet and occasionally introduce small treats. As the dog ages and its appetite decreases, you can gradually offer more flavorful options while ensuring healthy nutrition.
The timing and frequency of treats can also affect how much your dog enjoys its regular food. Dr. Kim recommended offering treats at irregular intervals rather than at consistent times to maintain their specialness. This approach can keep your dog excited about both treats and its regular meals.
