10 Best Pet Food for Picky Eaters 2023: Updated List

Picky-eating pets are challenging to shop for. Many pet owners experience difficulty in discovering a meal their furry friend will consistently enjoy. You might pour a heap of kibble or wet food into their dish, only for it to remain untouched or picked at. It's not just about taste, it's also about their health and well-being.

The good news is that I’ve carefully analyzed and vetted the top pet food services this year. I’ve spent hours analyzing and verifying each service. I really wanted to understand which of them truly cater to the preferences of picky eaters while ensuring they receive the nutrition they need.

Overall, The Farmer's Dog comes out on top. It uses a comprehensive food personalization questionnaire specifically designed for dogs. This feature allows pet owners to tailor their dog's food based on breed, age, activity level, and even particular likes or dislikes, making it an ideal choice for those with fussy eaters at home.

The Best Pet Food for Picky Eaters Reviewed

1. The Farmer’s Dog – Best Personalized Dog Food

All meals from The Farmer’s Dog are GMO- and gluten-free. Discover more about these ingredients in our official review. For picky eaters, this is especially helpful. It ensures high standards for your pet's nutrition and health. Additionally, the meals are human-grade, guaranteeing top-notch ingredients.

The Farmer’s Dog’s meal plans can be customized in case your pet has special needs. Whether your furry companion is big or small, active or lazy, this service is ready to ship personalized meals with balanced macronutrients for your animal. 

There’s a questionnaire upon signup that considers various factors about your dog. It’s all basic and accessible info, like the age and weight of your dog. The questionnaire also helps you let the company know about any food sensitivities your pup has, along with his or her overall food preferences.

You'll have a variety of meal options to choose from, including Turkey, Beef, and Pork recipes. These recipes are carefully formulated to have well-balanced macronutrient profiles. They contain a crude protein content ranging from 8 to 11%, while the crude fat content varies between 4.5 and 9%.

The meals incorporate ingredients like chickpeas, carrots, sweet potatoes, lentils, and green beans. Rest assured that all the ingredients meet or exceed AAFCO standards. There are no artificial preservatives or fillers in it. The company sources the ingredients sustainably and ethically, maintaining close relationships with local farmers and suppliers.

The Farmer's Dog food arrives at your doorstep every 3 weeks. The company is committed to environmental sustainability and uses packaging that is not only eco-friendly but also easily recyclable.

Pricing starts at $2/day, but bigger dogs need more food and are therefore more expensive to feed. Your subscription begins with a 2-week trial, and you can get a refund if The Farmer’s Dog isn’t a good fit for your pup.

2. Ollie – Best Fresh and Dry Options for Picky Eaters

At Ollie, the focus is on personalized dog food plans for your pup. Every breed is unique with its own needs, and Ollie considers this and other elements when preparing your pet’s meals.

During the sign-up process, you'll be asked a series of questions about your pet. Questions include its breed, age, size, current and ideal weight, activity level, and any food intolerances. Find out more about Ollie’s personalized plans in our review.

Ollie's food is also cooked via the sous vide technique. Generally speaking, this technique is usually reserved for classier restaurants. It adopts this method because it retains flavors, juices, and essential nutrients in its meals. The food is vacuum-sealed, then cooked in a low-temperature water bath. It's impressive to see this technique applied to pet food as well.

You have a variety of fresh and kibble meals to choose from. The fresh meals include Beef, Chicken, Turkey, or Lamb, while the baked kibble includes Beef or Chicken. For more information on these options, you can refer to our extensive Ollie review.

Ollie's meals are also devoid of unnecessary by-products and free from preservatives. Likewise, its treats and supplements are filler-free. For instance, you can find options like Beef & Sweet Potato Jerky, Sweet Potato Slices, Probiotic Chews, and more.

This is a great service if your pet is a fan of superfoods. Ollie’s recipes include many star ingredients like blueberries, sweet potatoes, squash, and more. In addition to vitamin-rich vegetables, Ollie’s meals contain up to 10% crude protein by weight.

Ollie offers different plans including Full Fresh, Half Fresh, and Mixed Bowl. The Mixed Bowl plan combines fresh and dry food, while the Half Fresh plan is a smaller version of the standard Fresh plan. Both plans allow you to save money vs. the Full Fresh Plan. The half plan also allows your pup to sample things before committing to a larger amount.

This service even has a team of vet nutritionists to oversee your meal plan. This helps to ensure that Ollie meets your dog's dietary needs. I like the reassurance that this brings, since it makes me confident that my pet will get the proper nutrition. 

Your minimum order is a 2-week box, which includes 28 packs of food. This will provide 2 daily meals over the course of 2 weeks. Prices start as low as $4-$8 per day for smaller dogs. As is typical, larger dogs will cost more to feed with this service.

3. We Feed Raw – Best Raw Food for Picky Dogs

We Feed Raw promotes a raw diet as the top choice for many dog breeds, especially for picky eaters. The food it offers is all human-grade, and it doesn't contain any fillers, preservatives, or synthetic flavors. Every meal is loaded with the essential nutrients that are vital for your dog's health and well-being. Learn more in our review.

When you place an order, you're invited to complete a quiz about your dog's stats. This includes your dog's age, weight, level of activity, and any current health issues. Doing this lets We Feed Raw construct a custom-made meal plan that matches your dog's needs spot on.

Every meal is meticulously designed to fulfill your pet's nutritional needs. Also, every meal strictly follows AAFCO guidelines. For more information about its high standards, check our full review.

Protein choices offered include chicken, turkey, beef, duck, venison, and lamb. All these choices include nourishing ingredients like flaxseed, beef heart, beef liver, and beef kidney. The meals are enriched with vitamins and minerals to boost the nutritional content even further.

Now, you might notice that We Feed Raw's meals don't include vegetables. Its meals are entirely meat-based. Other services on my list, like The Farmer’s Dog, are better choices if you want your dog to get their daily serving of veggies.

Even without vegetables, each meal is crafted by nutritionists and has a vet's seal of approval. This is important as it guarantees a balanced diet. You can store the meals in their original packaging for up to 4 days in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.

Your first order serves as a 2-week trial. After this time, your next orders are shipped and billed every 3 weeks. Pricing starts at $6.59/lb for the smallest breeds. Once again, larger breeds will be a bit more

4. Nom Nom – Best Fresh Dog Food 

If your dog’s a picky eater, he or she will find Nom Nom beneficial. When you sign up, you'll provide information about your dog's characteristics such as age, weight, and level of activity. Once done, you'll get a meal plan customized to your specific dog, ensuring it meets your pup's exact nutritional needs.

Nom Nom also presents an array of meals, specially made to suit your dog's dietary needs. There are 4 tasty recipes to choose from, including Chicken Cuisine, Turkey Fare, Pork Potluck, and Beef Mash. Learn more about these recipes in our Nom Nom review.

Nom Nom also stands out with its focus on gut health, offering a microbiome testing kit. This helps to monitor your dog's digestive system. It's a fantastic tool that helps you understand and modify your pup's dietary needs based on the nature of its stool.

Accompanying the testing kit are two types of probiotics – full-spectrum and GI-targeted. This ensures that the food your dog eats isn't just filling its tummy but also promoting its overall health.

Every meal is made from fresh ingredients with no artificial additives, preservatives, or fillers. Moreover, they're crafted by Nom Nom's very own board-certified veterinary nutritionists, a distinguished title held by less than 100 individuals across the US.

Nom Nom does a great job ensuring its meals are nutritionally dense. Take the Beef Mash recipe for instance. This doggy dish rounds out the USDA-grade beef with healthy vegetables like peas and carrots. In addition to protein, this means your pup also gets fiber and vitamins.

Nom Nom's meals are pre-portioned, ensuring your dog gets the correct amount every time. Half portions are an option, and may be a good route if you want to give your dog a taste-taste before committing to a larger order. The full portion does, however, save some money.

The initial commitment is a 2-week food trial. While the starting cost is $2.40 for a smaller breed, the price will be a bit more for larger breeds. However, you can benefit from our special discount: Take 60% Off Your First Order.

5. Spot & Tango – Best Dry Dog Food

Spot and Tango’s food options include Fresh and UnKibble, which is a premium dry food. Fresh meals come in exact portions ready for your dog's bowl, while UnKibble arrives with a special scoop, just for your pet's serving size. Learn more about that in our full review.

UnKibble stands out as an extraordinary type of dry food that's full of nutrients. Spot & Tango perfected a process that turns fresh ingredients into a dry form, but without cheap fillers. This gives you a convenient food that's ideal for picky eaters who need nutritious food.

Your dog's meals are personalized to fit its unique needs. Before you sign up, you'll answer a questionnaire covering your pet's activity level, weight, and other factors. Using this information, Spot & Tango makes sure the food you get is perfectly suited for your pet's nutritional needs.

On top of that, Spot & Tango's food is free from preservatives, additives, and fillers. Plus, it's crafted by vets and meets AAFCO’s strict guidelines for feeding. You'll find more about its recipes in our Spot & Tango review.

The meals feature proteins like turkey or lamb combined with healthy veggies. Recipes on the menu range from Fresh dishes like Lamb + Brown Rice or Beef + Millet as well as UnKibble recipes like Beef + Barley or Cod + Salmon.

Spot & Tango lets you order full orders or plans with just toppers. The topper-only option is more cost effective and lets you boost your dog’s nutrition without having to take them off their current dry food.

The company also offers an assortment of pup-approved treats. For example, Bison and Chicken Bites are 2 meaty options. You’ll also find the superfood-fortified Sweet Potato Bites. Made with top-quality ingredients, these treats make sure you're not compromising on your pet's diet.

Your minimum order is a 2-week UnKibble trial, a complete fresh plan, or a fresh topper plan. Prices start at $7 per week for small dogs, and costs for larger dogs will vary based on their size. If your pet doesn't enjoy the food, you can get a full refund for the trial order.

6. The Honest Kitchen – Best Overall Meal Variety

The Honest Kitchen provides a wide range of options and a lot of ingredient diversity. Its many food types include dehydrated options, wet food, treats, toppers, clusters, and much more. This impressive variety is perfect for picky eaters, and you can learn more in our detailed review of The Honest Kitchen.

Each meal uses whole-food ingredients that meet human-grade standards. The company focuses on making food without any additives or preservatives, so your pet stays in optimal health.

Its dehydrated food merges the benefits of fresh ingredients with a more budget-friendly format. Just add water to rehydrate the dried meat and veggies for a nutrient-dense meal that is cost-effective and easy to store.

The menu also includes other types of food. You’ll find adventurous options like Blueberry & Vanilla Goat’s Milk N’ Cookies as well as conventional treats like Grain-Free Chicken Clusters. With such a range of options, there’s something for the pickiest of pups.

The Honest Kitchen has solid filtering options, which is great if your companion is sensitive to certain ingredients. There are filters for proteins (which include beef, fish, and various types of poultry), as well as dietary preferences like Low Sodium.

What's commendable about The Honest Kitchen is its dedication to high-quality ingredients. For example, your pet's meals will have free-range chicken, wild-caught fish, and organic fruits and vegetables. Not many competitors can claim the same. Moreover, it uses non-GMO fruits and vegetables, and meals are free from corn, wheat, or soy.

Interestingly, there’s no requirement for a minimum order. However, you have subscription options for regular deliveries, ranging from every 2 to 12 weeks. Prices start at $5.99 for dry food, but they'll significantly vary based on the specific items you choose.

7. Open Farm – Best Traceable Meal Ingredients

Open Farm uses human-grade ingredients to provide premium food for your picky pups. From traditional kibble to freeze-dried raw food, there's something for every palate. If it's only fresh, wholesome dog food you're after, consider The Farmer’s Dog’s focused menu.

However, its unique feature is its full traceability of food and ingredients. You can scan each package's lot code to discover the origin of every single ingredient. It's an exclusive feature not found with other competitors. You can find more about this unique ingredient tracing in our in-depth Open Farm review.

All its meals have wild-caught fish and responsibly raised meats. Open Farm even uses organic produce. It’s also mindful of dogs with particular dietary needs, with limited-ingredient options available if your pet has allergies or food sensitivities.

What's impressive is its nutritional value and environmentally friendly approach. The grass-fed beef, for example, is sourced from family-run farms across North America, and the salmon is sourced via sustainable methods in the Pacific Northwest.

The meals are also packed with essential nutrients and a high quantity of protein. Take, for example, the Grass-Fed Beef Recipe. It features 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, a protein-packed source rich in vitamins and minerals.

Open Farm also offers a variety of snacks, supplements, and bone broths. You can find dehydrated chicken, beef, and pork treats, probiotics, and bone broths made from beef, turkey, and chicken.

The company allows flexibility in ordering as there's no minimum order. You can choose 1-time purchases or autoship from 1 to 16 weeks. Prices start at around $7/lb without auto-shipment for small pups, and as usual, they’re higher for big dogs.

8. Just Food For Dogs – Best DIY Food for Picky Dogs

Just Food For Dogs gives you the option to create your own dog food, as our review describes. Its budget-friendly DIY meal fortification kits enhance the nutritional value of your homemade meals, with an array of vital macronutrients you can simply mix in. For picky eaters, this means you can formulate the exact food your pup will love.

All ingredients used by Just Food For Dogs are fit for human consumption. The dishes don't have any preservatives, fillers, or by-products, but they do include top-tier proteins, fresh veggies, and brown rice.

This service offers personalized meal plans tailor-made for your dog's individual needs. They achieve this by assessing details about your dog, like age, activity level, and health conditions through a comprehensive questionnaire.

It also has a team of vets and nutritionists who help devise the best meal plan for your dog. They can offer advice on meal planning and nutrition. Remember, their meals are cooked, fresh food. If you're looking for raw meals instead, you might want to explore We Feed Raw.

The variety of recipes available is impressive. You can opt for Chicken & White Rice from the Fresh Frozen menu or Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni Recipe from the Pantry Fresh menu, for example.

Additionally, Just Food For Dogs offers a range of extras. There are treats, supplements, and bundles, such as Beef Brisket Treats, Probiotic Live, and packages that feature meals, treats, and toys.

If your dog has specific health issues, Just Food For Dogs can cater to that too. They offer special diets for conditions like kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes. Our full Just Food For Dogs review has more details on this.

There's no rigid commitment as you can set up auto shipments every 1 to 8 weeks. You also have the option of in-store pickup. If you're not satisfied with your first order, you can get a full refund, excluding shipping and delivery charges.

Prices start at $6.45 for smaller dogs. While there’s a provision for 1-time purchases, opting for the autoship program could help you save some money.

9. A Pup Above – Best High Protein Food

A Pup Above offers 3 types of dog food – dry, fresh, and mixed. For instance, the Beef Pot Roast is a great pick from the dry food line, while fresh meals like Texas Beef Stew are also up for grabs. The mixed pack offers you the freedom to mix and match four different meal options to suit your dog's palate, which helps if he or she is picky.

The company also sets itself apart by using the remarkable sous vide cooking method. This cooking style not only tenderizes the food but also preserves much of the nutritional goodness, offering your dog a top-notch mealtime experience. You can delve into this technique in our in-depth A Pup Above review.

A Pup Above's meals prioritize and emphasize meat as the main ingredient. This ensures your dog is consuming mostly meat that's been raised in a humane way and is free of antibiotics. 

As a result, meals are loaded with protein, averaging over 10%. A high-protein diet can be beneficial if your dog needs to shed a few pounds, as meals high in protein and low in carbs keep your dog feeling full for longer. This leads to less begging for snacks or extra servings from your furry friend.

Each meal also includes vegetables and superfoods packed with vitamins and minerals. You'll find ingredients like sweet potatoes, green beans, and carrots in the mix. And, as you'd expect, all meals are free from fillers and preservatives, a principle A Pup Above firmly stands by.

Serving these meals is also a breeze. You only need to thaw them in the fridge before feeding your dog – there's no need to measure portions because that's already been sorted out for you.

The smallest order you can place is a 3 lb bag of fresh food or a 2 lb bag of dry food. You're not forced to subscribe, but it's an available option if you'd like. You can place 1-time or autoship orders, with autoshipments being more cost-effective. These can be scheduled every 1 to 8 weeks.

Prices start at $7.50/lb for small dogs. However, if you own a larger breed, you can expect a slightly higher cost.

10. Jinx – Best Probiotic Dog Food

Jinx's menu boasts dry food, wet food, meal boosters, dental chews, and snacks. If your pup is a picky eater, he or she will appreciate the large menu variety. You can discover more about these food varieties in our comprehensive Jinx review. 

Jinx is known for sourcing its top-quality ingredients from trusted providers. The meals include wholesome proteins such as chicken, beef, and salmon. Plus, its special probiotic mix is filled with over "20M+ microorganisms" that can boost your dog's gut health.

Meals include Beef & Sweet Potato Kibble, and Chicken & Pumpkin Topper, as 2 examples. There are also dental chews available in 3 different sizes. Jinx does offer a few grain-free options, but if you're searching for grain-free fresh food, Spot & Tango might be a good alternative.

Alongside the commendable protein content, Jinx's meals are filled with nutritious veggies. You'll find ingredients like sweet potatoes, carrots, and green beans. Generally, the dry food contains between 27% and 29% protein, while the wet food averages between 8% and 10% protein content.

Jinx ensures its meals are free of artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products. Even the treats avoid artificial preservatives and fillers and consist of quality ingredients like chicken and beef, reflecting the high standard of the main meals.

It also doesn’t enforce a strict minimum order quantity, so you can make 1-off purchases. Prices start at $30/bag. If you'd rather subscribe, that's an option too, with deliveries available every 3 to 8 weeks.

However, if you do choose to subscribe, you can save some extra cash. And if your furry friend isn't entirely satisfied with the meals, you can get in touch with the customer support team for a refund on any order.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Pet Food for Picky Eaters

Here’s what I took into consideration when choosing pet food for picky eaters. I recommend keeping these things in mind to maximize the chances your pet will love his or her new food.

• Human-grade ingredients: The best pet food recipes use simple, whole ingredients that are safe to eat by humans as well. Ingredients such as lean meats, veggies, oil fish, and more make for some of the healthiest recipes.

• Options for customization: Even though you can’t change the recipe, a meal plan designed based on your pet’s caloric needs is a good idea. This way, you know how much to feed and which recipes work best.

• Vitamins and essential nutrients: Dogs, cats, and other pets have specific nutritional needs that can only be met by adding various elements to their foods. Talk with your veterinarian and ask them about your pet’s needs, and then check that the recipes you feed them are formulated to meet those needs.

• Fresh vs. dry: Both versions of food are good as long as the ingredients and methods used follow the official guidelines. Overall, senior and young pets may have some trouble with dry food due to their teeth.

FAQ

What is the best dog food for extremely picky eaters?

I’d recommend The Farmer’s Dog as it offers a great personalization questionnaire. It’ll take your dog's stats into consideration like age, weight, breed, activity level, and food preferences. That way, you can get food that is essentially tailored to his or her exact palate.

What do you feed a dog that is a picky eater?

It’s a good idea to focus on ingredients he or she will like. For instance, Ollie offers a number of dog foods with different ingredients to cater to a broader palate. You can also fill in the questionnaire that helps you get food recommendations. It takes into consideration your specific dog’s food preferences, and more.

Is Royal Canin good for picky eaters?

I wouldn’t recommend Royal Canin for picky eaters. We Feed Raw is a much better idea, as picky dogs sometimes prefer raw food. The food is raw and fortified with vitamins and minerals. You can also fill out an extensive customization quiz that takes into consideration your dog’s specific preferences. This will increase the chances that your picky buddy will love the food.

Best Pet Food for Picky Eaters Delivery for 2023 — Final Score