Advice from a Veterinarian on Dealing with Picky-Eating Pets

If your dog or cat seems disinterested in their food, takes an eternity to finish it, or leaves it behind, you might be dealing with a fussy-eating pet. Fussy eaters can pose a challenge for pet parents, which is why we’ve collaborated with experienced veterinarian and pet nutritionist, Paul Manktelow, to share his top tips on rekindling your picky pet’s enthusiasm for mealtimes.

1. Opt for High-Quality Ingredients

The quality of your pet’s food can play a pivotal role in reigniting their appetite. Foods with “humanized” flavors, containing high-quality proteins like Webbox Naturals’ Lamb and Chicken with Sweet Potato, Pea, and Mint wet dog food, are richer in nutrients and often more enticing for our furry friends.

To ensure your dog or cat enjoys quality nutrition, scrutinize the labels of all pet foods, paying particular attention to the specified meats and vegetables. The new and improved Webbox Naturals 400g Wet Trays for dogs contain a minimum of 65% meat, making them irresistible even to the fussiest of pups. The Wet Cat Food range is also packed with protein and vitamins in various delicious flavors, such as duck, chicken, and salmon, to meet your cat’s nutritional needs.

2. Use Age-Appropriate Food

Just like us, pets may experience a gradual decrease in appetite as they age. This decline is often due to sensory changes that make their food seem less appealing. To rekindle the enthusiasm of older pets for mealtimes, we’ve introduced age-specific food for senior dogs and cats. This follows research indicating a growing demand among pet owners for age-tailored pet food.

The Senior 150g Pate is a hypoallergenic option that’s gentle on sensitive tummies, with added probiotics to promote healthy digestion. For puppies, the Webbox Naturals Puppy Tray is tailored to their specific needs, providing extra calories and essential nutrients like calcium for healthy growth.

3. Consider Wet Food

Wet food can be more enticing for picky eaters because the added water releases appealing aromas, making it more palatable. If you decide to switch your pet’s food, do so gradually over a period of 3-4 days. To help your furry friend adjust to the new food, consider mixing the dry food with the wet variety to ease the transition.

Webbox Naturals’ new and improved 400g Wet Dog Trays offer delicious recipes, including Chicken with Sweet Potato, Green Beans, and Red Pepper, Lamb and Chicken with Sweet Potato, Peas, and Mint, and Beef and Chicken with Potato, Swede, and Carrots.

4. Establish a Consistent Mealtime Routine

Consistency in your pet’s mealtime routine is essential when encouraging a fussy eater to enjoy their food. Providing meals at the same times each day reassures your pets that they are loved and cared for, which can stimulate their appetite.

Although it can be tempting to share table scraps with your pets, you can now offer them food fit for royalty with the new and improved Webbox Naturals range.