My picky dog only eats Cesar. How do I get her to eat healthier food?

Hi and thanks for posting. You shouldn't need to change the food frequently- in fact doing so can create a very picking and finicky eater. Ceaser's is lower quality food. You might opt for something a little more higher quality such as Purina Pro Plan, Hill's Science diet or Wellness brand formula. However, there are causes for decreased eating such as tooth infections or periodontal disease that can make eating painful. Other causes can include kidney or liver disease, pancreatic diseases, and endocrine disorders among others that can lead to decreased appetite and/or weight loss. I would recommend an exam with your veterinarian soon along with some basic blood work to start to determine if there are any underlying issues. I hope this helps!

Your instincts are right on this one. It sounds like she is just a [picky eater](https://www.petcoach.co/article/my-pet-is-a-finicky-eater). Small breed dogs tend to be picky eaters, and this is accentuated when the owner gives in and feeds people food. I know it is hard, but you have to try and slowly break this habit by refusing to give her the boiled chicken and only her dog food. Most dogs can go up to 3 days without eating and most will give in within a day or two when they realize nothing else is coming and their only option is the [dog food](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-your-pet-s-food) that is available to them. It sounds cruel, but this is the only way to break this habit. You can also make sure that you are offering highly palatable, high quality [dog food](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-food). Typically grocery store brands are generic and low quality. Try foods like Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, Halo, or Evo to see if these appeal to her picky nature. You can add canned food to her dry kibble to entice her to want to eat it regularly.

For picky eaters like this I usually recommend picking one high-quality dog food brand and sticking with it. This means when you feed Kacey you should put the food down for 15 minutes or so and give her the opportunity to eat it. If she does not eat in this period of time pick up the food and do not offer her any food or treats until the next meal time. If at the next meal she doesn’t eat again within 15 minutes pick up the bowl and continue this for two or three days. Eventually she will learn that she needs to eat the food you put down for her or she will go hungry. Most dogs respond to this very well and don’t let themselves go hungry. Some of the brands I recommend for high-quality dog foods are Royal Canin, Hills, Purina, Iams, and Eukanuba. I hope this helps. Best of luck. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi. I would recommend trying a different high quality food to explore if there is one she may like better. Science diet, royal canin, Iams, and Purina are the top quality brands. I would also make sure she has had a full exam, especially of mouth, and labwork, as well as a fecal sample test just to be sure there isn't another obvious cause of decreased appeitie.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Teddy is healthy and doing well, I would not jump to switching his food. Royal Canin is one of the best pet foods out there. First, be sure that he is not having any other problems causing him not to eat well. Be sure he does not have any mouth pain or GI problems. This may require a vet visit if you're unsure. If Teddy is 6 lbs, his daily amount of food should be around 1/2 of a measuring cup or slightly less, so it is not a large amount of food. Be sure you are using a measuring cup to accurately assess how much he is being fed per day. Be sure that he isn't getting many other treats during the day, as a small dog can fill up quickly with a couple treats. If you truly feel that Royal Canin is not the best of Teddy then Hill's Science diet or Iams Eukanuba are equivalent quality foods. But do not switch his food frequently as you may create a picky eater. Be sure to do any diet changes gradually over the course of a week, mixing the food gradually.

There can be many reasons for finicky eating: https://www.petcoach.co/article/my-pet-is-a-finicky-eater/ My advice is to pick a high quality food and stick with it. The two brands that seem to be most palatable are Royal Canin and Purina ProPlan. Also, as long as your pet is healthy, its ok if he skips a couple meals. Dogs are smart and they often train humans to give them something else. Have him examined if illness or a medical cause is suspected. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dom is adorable! I think that if he consistently eats the Crave then I would feed him that. I know it is pricey but it may save you in the long run from buying all different types of food to tempt him. Look for pet stores that offer discounts or a frequent buyers program. Look online for cheaper prices. The other option is to buy one food and stick it out. Put it down and if he refuses to eat with in a period of time remove it. Try again next meal time. Healthy dogs usually do not chose starvation and will eventually eat. It may take 3 days. You can try adding water at the 3 day mark. Personally I would buy what he likes. I hope this helps and I wish yo u and Dom the best!