We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.Advertising DisclosureThis is a user-oriented comparison website, and we need to cover hosting and content costs, as well as make a profit. The costs are covered from referral fees from the vendors we feature. Affiliate link compensation does not affect reviews but might affect listicle pages. On these pages, vendors are ranked based on the reviewer’s examination of the service but also taking into account feedback from users and our commercial agreements with service providers. This website tries to cover important meal, coffee and pet food delivery services but we can’t cover all of the solutions that are out there. Information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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7 Best Pet Food for Picky Eaters 2024: Updated List

Picky dogs are challenging to shop for, and many owners struggle to find meals their pets 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.

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, because 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.

Short on Time? Here Is the Best Pet Food for Picky Eaters

  1. The Farmer’s Dog – Best personalized dog food

  2. Ollie – Best fresh and dry options for picky eaters

  3. We Feed Raw – Best raw food for picky dogs

  4. Nom Nom – Best gently cooked dog food

  5. Spot & Tango – Best dry dog food

See 2 more pet foods for picky eaters

The Best Pet Food for Picky Eaters Reviewed

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

Key Features

  • Meal customization quiz before signing up

  • 4 total recipes – beef, turkey, chicken, and pork

  • Grain-free meal options also available

  • Current deal: Get 60% Off Your First Box!

The Farmer's Dog prepares high-quality fresh food for dogs. The meals consist of carefully selected ingredients that make them tasty and healthy. In addition, they are suitable for all breeds and all life stages.

What's on Offer?

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, and the company sources ingredients sustainably and ethically, maintaining close relationships with local farmers and suppliers.

You can customize The Farmer’s Dog’s meal plans if your pet has special needs. Whether your dog is big or small, active or lazy, this service is ready to ship personalized meals with balanced macronutrients just for them. 

TFD’s chicken meal with the dog’s name, Baxter, on the front

What Makes It Special?

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.

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.

Is It Good Value?

All meals from The Farmer’s Dog are GMO- and gluten-free. 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. Discover more about these ingredients in our tested The Farmers Dog review.

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

Key Features

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.

What’s on Offer?

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

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'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 Strips, Sweet Potato Slices, Probiotic Chews, and more.

Our reviewer’s dog with a bowl on dog food from Ollie

What Makes It Special?

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.

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.  

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. The half plan also allows your pup to sample things before committing to a larger amount.

Is It Good Value?

Ollie's food is cooked using the sous vide technique. The food is vacuum-sealed and then cooked in a low-temperature water bath. Generally speaking, this technique is reserved for classier restaurants, but Ollie uses it because it retains flavors, juices, and essential nutrients. It's impressive to see this technique applied to pet food.

Your minimum order is a 2-week box, which includes 28 packs of food. This will provide 2 daily meals over 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

Key Features

  • USDA meals with human-grade ingredients

  • 6 recipes including chicken, duck, and venison

  • Grain-free and gluten-free also available

  • Current deal: Get 40% Off + Free Shipping

We Feed Raw offers raw food that’s great for picky eaters. The meals are all human-grade, and there are no fillers, preservatives, or synthetic flavors. 

What's on Offer?

Protein choices 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 further boost the nutritional content.

Every meal brims with the essential nutrients that are vital for your dog's health and well-being. What’s more, they primarily contain animal proteins.

You’ll notice that We Feed Raw's meals don't include vegetables.  Its meals are entirely meat-based apart from the flaxseed. 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.

We Feed Raw packages unboxed showing turkey, chicken, and beef

What Makes It Special?

When you place an order, you can 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.

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.

Is It Good Value?

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 We Feed Raw review.

Your first order serves as a 2-week trial. Subsequent orders will be shipped and billed every 3 weeks. Pricing starts at $6.59/lb for the smallest breeds, with larger breeds costing more.

4. Nom Nom – Best Gently Cooked Dog Food 

Key Features

  • Pre-portioned meals that are easy to serve

  • 4 meals are available

  • Gluten- and grain-free recipe options

If your dog’s a picky eater, he or she will find Nom Nom beneficial. The service has 2 board-certified veterinary nutritionists on its team, which is impressive considering that there are only about 100 of these experts in the entire US. The Farmer’s Dog is another of the rare pet food delivery services employing these dietary professionals.

What's on Offer?

Nom Nom 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 does a great job ensuring its meals are nutritionally dense. For example, the Beef Mash recipe 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.

You can buy 2 types of probiotics from this company – full-spectrum and GI-targeted. This ensures that the food your dog eats is great for its health as well as filling its tummy.

Image showing the treats available from Nom Nom in beef or chicken flavor

What Makes It Special?

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'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 test before committing to a larger order. The full portion does, however, save some money.

Is It Good Value?

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.

The initial commitment is a 2-week food trial. While the starting cost is $5/day for a smaller breed, the price will be a bit more for larger breeds. However, you can benefit from our special discount: Get 60% off your first box + free shipping

5. Spot & Tango – Best Dry Dog Food

Key Features

  • Slow-cooked to preserve optimal nutritional balance

  • 7 total recipes available

  • Gluten-, grain-, and soy-free meals also available

Spot and Tango provides some of the best pet food for picky eaters. The company offers fresh and dry meals consisting of various proteins. It also has a detailed meal personalization quiz on its website.

What's on Offer?

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. 

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.

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 to UnKibble recipes like Beef + Barley or Cod + Salmon.

Image showing 2 packs of Unkibble from Spot & Tango

What Makes It Special?

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.

Spot & Tango lets you order full meals or plans with just toppers. The topper-only option is more cost-effective and lets you boost your dog’s nutrition without taking them off their 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.

Is It Good Value?

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.

Your minimum order is a 2-week UnKibble trial, a complete fresh plan, or a fresh topper plan. Prices start at <$1 per meal 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 Pets Table – Top Dog-Tested Meals

Key Features

  • The company has 4 meal plans

  • Choose between 3 fresh and 2 dry recipes

  • Take a pup meal personalization questionnaire

The Pets Table qualified for our list of the best pet foods for picky eaters thanks to its fresh recipes. As the service states, its fresh offerings "make even the pickiest of eaters drool." What's more, the in-house dog testers give a paws-up to these meals. 

What's on Offer?

The service offers 3 fresh meals with different animal-based proteins for dogs. They are Chicken Casserole with Green Beans, Turkey Casserole with Broccoli, and Beef Stew with Carrots. Additional ingredients include apples, chickpeas, spinach, and eggs.

If your picky eater prefers dry meals, The Pets Table also provides air-dried Beef & Berries (which is grain-free) and Chicken & Sweet Potato. Try these dishes if you're working with a limited budget.

Keep in mind that the pet food subscription service freezes its fresh meals. Therefore, prepare enough space in your freezer. You can keep air-dried meals in a dry and cool place. Read our complete The Pets Table review to learn more about the provider’s offerings. 

Image showing Turkey Casserole with Broccoli from The Pets Table

What Makes It Special?

The Pets Table has 4 plans. If you’re looking for the supplier's favorite for picky eaters, consider the Fresh or Half of Fresh plan. The latter is for pet parents who want to introduce a new food or keep the current food while adding variety to their pup's diet. The remaining plans are Air-Dried and Mixed, which are best if your dog also likes dry meals.

The company has expert testers who approve its meals before shipping. These are a bernedoodle, a cavapoo, and a shihchon. They have discerning palates, so you can be sure that the food you get will make your dog lick their bowl.

You can take an on-site meal personalization quiz to tailor your best friend's food. It takes a few minutes, and you'll answer questions about your dog's weight, age, activity level, and so on. But if your dog likes fresh food, consider The Farmer's Dog, which has a more detailed quiz. 

Is It Good Value?

The Pets Table provides high-quality and great-tasting dog recipes. Its fresh meals incorporate human-grade ingredients, while air-dried food is gently baked. Read our Is Fresh Food Better for Dogs overview to learn about the benefits of freshly prepared meals for your dog's well-being. 

Another great thing is that you can test the service's meals with the trial box. If your pet doesn't like the food, contact customer support within 30 days for a full refund on the trial box. 

The starting price for The Pets Table's offerings is $1.59 per meal. But how much you’ll spend depends on your fussy eater's appetite, bulk, age, and other factors. The company ships products to pet parents in the mainland US.

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

Key Features

  • Consult the on-site Feeding Calculator

  • Over 20 meal options available

  • The menu has grain- and gluten-free options

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.

What's on Offer?

The variety of recipes available is impressive. There are 3 menus: Fresh Frozen, Pantry Fresh, and DIY Homemade. You can also order variety packs such as the Puppy Variety Pack and Healthy Weight Variety Pack. Fresh Frozen features recipes such as Fish and Sweet Potato, while Pantry Fresh gives you options like Lamb and Brown Rice.

JustFoodForDogs offers a range of extras. There are treats such as Beef Liver Bark, supplements including Omega Plus, and bundles, such as the Joint Support Supplement bundle. Some packages feature meals, treats, and toys.

If your dog has specific health issues, JustFoodForDogs can cater to those too. The provider offers special diets for conditions like kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes. Our full JustFoodForDogs review has more details on this.

An image showing 8 different variety packs offered by JFFD

What Makes It Special?

This service offers personalized meal plans tailor-made for your dog's individual needs. It achieves 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.

Is It Good Value?

All ingredients used by JustFoodForDogs 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.

You can schedule auto-shipments for every 1 to 12 weeks to suit your schedule. 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.

Quick Comparison Table


Starting Price

Minimum Order

Meal Type

Shipping

Active Deals

🥇 The Farmer’s Dog

$2/day

2 weeks worth of meals

Fresh

Free

Get 60% Off Your First Box! from The Farmer’s Dog

🥈Ollie

$4-$8 per day

2 weeks worth of meals

Fresh

Free

Get 60% off + FREE Fi GPS Collar ($99 value) from Ollie

🥉We Feed Raw

$6.59/lb

3 weeks worth of meals

Raw (frozen)

Free

Get 40% Off + Free Shipping from We Feed Raw

Nom Nom

$5/day

2 weeks worth of meals

Gently cooked

Free

Get 60% off your first box + free shipping from Nom Nom

Spot & Tango

<$1 per meal 

2 weeks worth of meals

Fresh, UnKibble 

Free

Get 50% Off + Free Shipping from Spot & Tango

The Pets Table
$1.59 per meal
2-week trial box
Fresh and Dry
From $10.99
Get 50% off your 1st box + Free Treats for Life! from The Pets Table
JustFoodForDogs
$6.45
7.8lb bag
Fresh Frozen, Pantry Fresh (shelf-stable), DIY Nutrient Blend
$19.99 or free on dry or frozen orders over $99
Get 50% off your first autoship order + 5% off all future orders from JustFoodForDogs

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 for humans to eat as well. Ingredients such as lean meats, veggies, fish oil, and more make for some of the healthiest recipes. The Farmer’s Dog offers human-grade fresh food for your dog.
    • 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. Ollie has a customization quiz to help you find the best meals for your dog.
    • 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. Nom Nom has 2 board-certified nutritionists on hand to ensure the meals offer the best nutritional value.
    • 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. Spot & Tango offers both types of food, so you can try them out to see which your pet prefers.

    How to Choose the Right Pet Food Delivery Service for Picky Eaters

    • Look for a variety of flavors and textures: Pets can get bored with the same food. Choose a service that offers different flavors and textures, so you can switch things up if your pet loses interest.
    • Consider meal plans: Some services let you customize meals to match your pet’s preferences, and many offer mixed plans or topper options. This helps cater to your pet’s tastes while still providing balanced nutrition.

    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 out 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 dog will love the food.

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    We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.Advertising DisclosureThis is a user-oriented comparison website, and we need to cover hosting and content costs, as well as make a profit. The costs are covered from referral fees from the vendors we feature. Affiliate link compensation does not affect reviews but might affect listicle pages. On these pages, vendors are ranked based on the reviewer’s examination of the service but also taking into account feedback from users and our commercial agreements with service providers. This website tries to cover important meal, coffee and pet food delivery services but we can’t cover all of the solutions that are out there. Information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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