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Nutrition

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How can I enhance the taste of my dog's food if my pet is a finicky eater?

Taste tests show that dogs prefer Hill's pet foods to many other leading brands, however we realise some dogs can be picky eaters. To help you in this situation, we suggest following one or more of the tips below to encourage your dog to eat.

1. Gradual Transition of new food

If you are starting to feed your dog a new food, refer to the 7-Day Transition Schedule. A gradual transition from the current food to a new food helps wean your dog from one food to another. Meal feed your dog by measuring the appropriate daily feeding amount of food and placing it in your dog's bowl.

2. Limit time available to food

If you are feeding your dog more than one meal during the day, divide the amount into the number of feedings for the day. Allow 10-20 minutes for your dog to eat, then remove the remaining food and wait to feed your dog until his next meal. Remember, food tastes much better when we have an appetite! 

3. Hand-feeding

If you are feeding your dog dry food, try hand-feeding by holding the kibbles of food in your hand and feeding it to your dog in small portions for the first few feedings. 

4. Warm & moisten the new food

Add a couple of tablespoons of warm (not hot) water to one serving of your dog's dry food. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to soften the kibbles, then serve. Moisten enough food for one meal feeding at a time so the food doesn't spoil. Do not leave moistened food out more than four hours.

5. Use Dog Food Gravy or Stock

You can make dog food gravy to mix with the dry food by adding a few tablespoons of warm (not hot) water to the equivalent canned dog food. Spoon the gravy over the dry food and serve. Be sure to only make enough for one serving at a time so the food doesn't spoil. Our Prescription Diet Metabolic range also includes a delicious Stews variety which can be used to make a pet food gravy with.

To help enhance the flavor of both dry and canned food, add a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth or the liquid drained from tuna canned in water. Only make enough for one serving so the food doesn't spoil. (Do not use this tip for Prescription Diet z/d or d/d pet foods.)

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