How To Deal With A Goldendoodle Picky Eater

Goldendoodles are not only one of the cutest breeds for dogs, but like many other breeds, they can sometimes be a picky eater. If you are having trouble with a picky eater, it is much more common than you think, and there are a few things you can do about it.

How to Deal With a Goldendoodle Picky Eater

How Do You Deal With a Picky Goldendoodle? It is much easier than you think! Most of the time, your Goldendoodle’s diet and frequency of eating are often to blame. A picky eater is something that can easily be fixed most of the time, and it won’t need any significant changes. You can help your picky eater by not feeding them too often, keeping them stimulated, and being able to understand the needs of your Goldendoodle.

In most circumstances, what kind of life your pet leads at home is the root of the cause. Let’s talk about how you can deal with a picky eater pet and the most common reason why it might have happened to yours!

Chances are the reason your Goldendoodle has become a picky eater stem right from home. Being a picky eater is very common among younger dogs who do not have established routines yet.

It can be something as simple as the dog not liking the food they are being fed to something more serious. Here are a few of the most popular reasons why your Goldendoodle is a picky eater.

• You are feeding your pet too often.
• Your pet lacks stimulation in their day-to-day life.
• The pet is receiving too many treats. 
• Dogs can become stressed, which will impact their behavior.
• The food itself could be making your pet sick or taste bad.

By creating a routine in the life of your Goldendoodle, you will not only help them understand a feeding schedule, but it will enrich their lives as well. Understanding some of the leading causes of why your pet may be a picky eater is the first step to getting you and your Goldendoodle back on track

Why Is Your Goldendoodle a Picky Eater?

Goldendoodles are one of the newest designer dogs out there who were bred with two of the most popular breeds, Golden Retrievers and Poodles. They are a breed that is full of energy, and their intelligence makes them the ideal pet for families and individuals alike.

Goldendoodles are no stranger to a sensitive stomach, and this can sometimes lead to becoming a picky eater. Here are some of the most popular reasons why this may have developed in your furry friend, and how you can fix the problem.

You are Feeding Your Goldendoodle Too Often

Similar to how humans love a schedule, your pet is no different. Your pet should be on a feeding schedule that makes sure they can no more and no less of the amount of food they need per day.

Your pet may not be eating food because it just simply is not hungry. Overfeeding your pet can lead to more significant health problems such as bone and joint issues, and heart issues as well. 

Many dog food brands offer a chart that lets you know how much food your dog should be eating based on their weight. Separating this into a morning feed and an afternoon feed can also help cut down on them, begging for scraps from the table.

Your Pet is Not Stimulated Enough

Many pets need some stimulation during the day. If your pet spends a lot of time at home alone, they may just be sleeping while you are gone. This can cause them to have a lazy streak.

You need to make sure your pet is spending enough time playing and getting plenty of exercise. By taking your pet on a daily walk or giving them stimulating toys to play with, you can make sure that they have a healthy appetite.

You are Giving Your Pet Too Many Treats

While giving your pet treats is not entirely a bad thing, there is a time and a place. Feeding your pet too many treats or too often can ruin their appetite and cause them to be a picky eater.

They may think that their kibble or food does not taste as good as their favorite treat and refuse to eat it. Give treats as a reward for performing a specific action instead of for any small thing they do. 

In addition to giving your pet too many treats designated for pets, you should not be feeding your pet anything from your plate or table. Not only are many of the things that we eat bad for our pets, but they can also add too many calories or cause your Goldendoodle to refuse their regular food.

Your Pet Could be Stressed Out

Just like we get stressed out from time to time, your Goldendoodle can get stressed out as well. Significant events such as moves, changes in the family, and even daylight savings time can all harm your pet.

If your pet has changed their behavior, try and reassure them that everything is normal. You also may want to move their feeding area to a place in the house that is calmer and out of the way so that your Goldendoodle has a safe place to eat.

The Food Could Be Making Them Sick

The food that you are feeding your pet could be the problem. If you leave food out for your pet throughout the day, it can go stale and lose any flavor it once had.

The particular food could also be causing your pet to have an upset stomach, or they could have been eating it too long and have just lost interest in it.

If you suspect that the food is the problem, try to change the food your pet eats. Here are some of the best brands to try!

BONUS TIP: If Your Dog is getting sick on the carpet, this is one of the best carpet cleaners you can buy. We have gone through three different ones and so far this is our favorite!

What are the Best Dog Foods For a Picky Goldendoodle?

The best option in terms of food is to either commit to a raw diet or find a kibble that your pet enjoys and has all of the nutritional benefits they need. The only time your pet should regularly be consuming a wet diet is if they are older, have dental concerns or it is suggested by a vet. 

My Personal Dog Food Recommendations

We started out using Iam’s adult dog food because we were in a pinch and it was available at our local pet store. Lexie would eat it, but not with much vigor. She only ate because she was hungry. Yes, she is a picky eater!

Then our breeder sent out a health note about dog foods and a long discussion followed. This is not to say anything negative about Iam’s dog food, we just decided to make a change after talking with our breeder.

Wow! What a difference. Lexie was gobbling down her food after we switched. This is the exact food she loves, but remember she is a small breed. You need to get the one specifically for the size of your dog.

Dog Food For Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs

As Lexie got older something started upsetting her stomach. We don’t know if it was her treats, food, stress or something else but working with our vet we chose to put her on a diet for sensitive stomachs.

So far this has been working out well for her. In talking with our vet we discussed food from Purina, Science Diet and Royal Canin. Brands that the vet schools at North Carolina State and Colorado State have recommended.

If you want to try this yourself, here are 3 products you should consider:

Royal Canin Science Diet Muenster Ancient Grains

Looking for even more ideas? I asked around for other suggestions in case you want or need to try other brands.

Here’s what I found.

I cannot personally recommend these, but other owners had positive things to say, so I thought I should at least mention them to you:

Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food

This is a great option because there are different flavors for you and your pet to choose from when it comes to mealtime. They are made from ingredients that even you can eat, and they are individually portioned, so you are not underfeeding or overfeeding your Goldendoodle. 

Ollie Dog Food

Ollie Dog Food is essentially a meal subscription service for your pet. Real meat is the first ingredient in many of the recipes and is all balanced to make sure your pet is getting the appropriate amount of nutrients. You can also use a scoop to feed the perfect amount each time. They also offer a refund if your pet

Nature’s Variety Instinct Healthy Cravings

What makes this stand out among other dry foods is that the food is freeze-dried, which helps it contain as much of the original flavor as it can. This food is also free from any preservatives and fillers. It is the perfect option for pets of any age, and it also comes in a variety of flavors for the picky pet. 

These are just a few options to help differentiate your pet’s diet. Before selecting a new food for your Goldendoodle, try to find foods that have real ingredients in them.

Compare the food you are currently feeding your Goldendoodle to what they are now eating to make sure they are different!