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My dog won't eat dry food after dental cleaning. What can I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 8 years and 9 months old | 9.6 lbs

My dog was recently switched to dry food. He just had a teeth cleaning done. Everything good and Vet does not want him eating wet food anymore. Teeth were neglected in past from previous owner. Also he is on grain free diet due to food allergies. He is not eating his dry food too much. Added chicken broth and he ate it but dont want to keep doing that because it will defeat the purpose of giving it to him dry. Tried boiled carrots added and he ate all carrots and left the kibble. Please help

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Kevin Sanada, DVM

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 13th, 2017

It definitely seems like Benji likes his soft food, so it's going to take some time to get him transitioned to the dry food. The good thing is that dogs don't tend to not be finicky for too long before they give up and just eat what's available. It may take a few times of him missing a meal though. I think that is where most owners get concerned, because they feel like they are starving/torturing their dog. My opinion is that it's totally fine for them to miss a meal or two if you're giving them a food that's better for them. It is definitely not harmful for them, because it will take a long time (many days) before he would actually starve.

I think the chicken broth idea is great! It may take a couple of weeks, but maybe you could continue wetting it with the broth and reduce the wetness gradually.

Food allergies to grains is exceedingly rare, so you may double-check that this was diagnosed by a veterinarian. Usually, the owner gets some bad advice from the pet store employee, or reads some bad info on the internet and that's why they get the grain-free food. If that's the case, then this could open up some more options for feeding dry food.

Dry food is better for dogs that tend to have bad teeth, because it does not build-up on the teeth as much. If you brush Benji's teeth regularly, then there is not as much need for the dry food; so you may consider that if all else fails.

I hope that helps. Below is a link to a short article that has some more helpful information.

https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-every-dog-owner-should-know-about-dental-care/
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

    Veterinarian

    Hello and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

    Keep up the dry food and do not change the food! That will allow him to become a very picky eater. Offer the kibble without any garnishes for a while. He will not starve! Then once he is eating his dry food just fine, then you may add frozen carrots and green beans- they are also good for the teeth!

    Best to you and Benji!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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