Help! My Dog Won't Eat It's Raw Food!!

Introducing New Dog Food Can Be a Challenge

🐾 What to Do When Your Dog Hesitates with New Food

Think about the last time you were served a food that looked or smelled totally unfamiliar. Even if it was healthy and beautifully prepared, you probably hesitated - maybe you gave it a sniff, poked it with a fork, or took the tiniest bite to test the waters.

Now imagine you’re a dog with 100 million scent receptors and no one explained the menu change.

When switching to raw, especially from kibble, it’s completely normal for dogs to be unsure at first. New smells, textures, and temperatures can all trigger caution. But with a little patience (and some of the tricks below), most dogs quickly learn that real food is worth it.

The BEST way in our opinion, is just to stick with it. A bit of gentle tough love works best: offer the meal, give them 10–15 mins, then pick it up and try again at the next meal. No other options in between.

Healthy dogs won’t starve themselves, and once they realize this is what’s on the menu, they usually eat.
Stay strong! You’re being trained, not the dog 😉

If you don't do tough love, here's what to try if your pup isn’t diving into their new bowl of Radowg just yet..

☝️ First Things First: Don’t Panic

Refusing a new food is more common than you’d think. It doesn’t mean your dog doesn’t like it. In many cases, it’s just unfamiliar, and dogs may need time to adjust.

Take a breath. As long as your dog is otherwise healthy and behaving normally, a missed meal or two is rarely cause for concern. Most dogs come around within a few days to a couple of weeks, especially with patience and consistency.

And trust us; once they make the switch, it’s so worth it. You’re offering food that’s fresh, species-appropriate, and deeply nourishing. When you see your dog thriving on Radowg, you’ll know you made the right call.

GIVE IT TIME!

🔥 1. Warm It Up—But Never Cook It

Cold food can throw some dogs off, especially those used to warm or room-temperature meals.

Dogs can even detect heat through their noses, thanks to a structure called the rhinarium. When food is cold, it may not trigger the same natural eating response.

Warming the food slightly (without cooking it!) can help it “smell alive” and make it more appealing.

✅ The safest ways:

• Let the defrosted food sit covered on the counter for 15–20 minutes, or

• Place a bowl of the defrosted food in warm (not hot) water for a few minutes.

⚠️ Never cook or microwave raw food that contains bone.

Cooking makes bones brittle and prone to splintering, which can cause serious internal injuries. All Radowg blends are designed to be fed raw—warmth is fine, but cooking is not.

🍖 2. Add an Enticing Topper

Sometimes a little boost of smell or flavour can turn things around. Try adding:

• A spoonful of plain kefir or goat milk

• A sprinkle of freeze-dried liver or single-ingredient treats

• A bit of raw egg (shell optional)

• A splash of bone broth

• A tiny pinch of dried herbs like parsley or basil

• A sprinkle of mushroom powder like Protector 5

• Supplements like Super Boost

• A few fresh whole foods like raspberries (antioxidants), shredded carrot (beta-carotene), or pumpkin purée (digestion)

These are just to spark interest—don’t go overboard or add things your dog has never tried before, especially if you're doing an elimination diet.

✋ 3. Try Hand-Feeding During the Transition to Raw

Some dogs are more comfortable trying new food directly from your hand. This can help build trust, curiosity, and a positive emotional connection to the food, especially if they’re nervous or suspicious.

Start by offering a small bite from your fingers or palm. Praise them calmly if they take it, but don’t pressure them. If they’re unsure, walk away and try again later—it’s okay to move slowly.

Try hand-feeding for a few minutes at each mealtime for up to 3–5 days. Once your dog is reliably taking food from your hand, place a small portion in their bowl and see if they’ll continue eating on their own. You can even drop the food into the bowl from your hand, so they make the association.

If they stop eating, go back to hand-feeding and repeat the process. With time and consistency, most dogs will gain enough confidence to transition fully to bowl feeding.

🍽️ 4. Start Small

If your dog seems overwhelmed by a full serving, reduce the amount you offer at first. Instead of giving a full meal, start with just a teaspoon or tablespoon mixed into their usual food (if you’re transitioning from kibble), or offer a few small bites of the new food on its own.

Over several days, gradually increase the amount of raw food while decreasing the old food, giving your dog time to adjust physically and mentally.

Be patient and watch for positive signs like sniffing, licking, or nibbling. Celebrate even the smallest progress to build your dog’s confidence and curiosity.

⏳ 5. Skip a Meal (for Healthy Adult Dogs Only)

It’s okay to let a healthy adult dog skip a meal if they’re turning up their nose. Hunger is a powerful motivator. Sometimes a bit of tough love is needed — by skipping a meal, your dog’s natural appetite will often kick in, and they’ll be much more interested at the next feeding.

Dogs are biologically equipped to handle short fasts. Unlike humans, dogs evolved as opportunistic eaters who might naturally go a day or more without food if a meal wasn’t available. However, this approach should only be used for healthy adult dogs with no medical issues.

🐾 Important: Do not use this method for puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease. Always consult your vet if unsure.

🧘 6. Reduce Distractions

Feed your dog in a calm, quiet area away from other pets, children, and loud noises. Some dogs find it easier to focus on eating when they feel safe, relaxed, and unpressured.

Create a consistent feeding spot where your dog can enjoy their meals without interruptions. This can make a big difference for sensitive or nervous eaters.

🕒 7. Change Feeding Schedule

Sometimes offering meals at different times or adjusting the feeding routine can spark your dog’s appetite. For example, try feeding just once a day instead of twice, especially if your dog is a healthy adult.

💡 Did you know? Eating once a day can be perfectly healthy for many adult dogs and can even improve digestion and energy levels.

⚠️ Important: This is not recommended for puppies, seniors, or dogs with health issues. Always consult your vet first.

🎉 8. Make Mealtime Fun

Turn feeding into a game or training session to increase your dog’s interest in the new food. Use small amounts of the new raw food as treats during obedience training, or hide tiny portions around the feeding area for your dog to “hunt” and find.

You can do this while still feeding their regular meals to keep them engaged and excited without replacing their full diet all at once.

🍽️ 9. Change the Surface or Presentation

Sometimes just changing the surface or presentation is enough to spark curiosity and encourage that first bite. Try offering Radowg on a shallow plate instead of a bowl, or even spread it on a lick mat to make it more engaging.

You can also use puzzle feeders or slow-feed trays to turn mealtime into a fun challenge. Not only does this help stimulate their mind, but it can reduce anxiety or boredom around food.

🧊 10. Offer Them a PUPscicle

Try serving a brick of Radowg frozen, as a refreshing PUPscicle. This is especially great on warm days. Many dogs love the novelty, and it can be soothing for their teeth and gums.

Or try feeding it semi-frozen: defrost it just enough to cut into bite-sized chunks. The texture changes as it warms, which can intrigue picky eaters and add interest.

🐾 Pro tip: Let your pup enjoy their PUPscicle outside! It’s a fun way to keep your floors clean and enjoy some fresh air together.

❤️ Remember: You’re Not Alone

Even the most food-motivated dogs can hesitate when presented with something completely new. It doesn’t mean they don’t like it—it just means their instincts are working as expected.

Stick with it. You’re offering something real, species-appropriate, and nourishing. With a little patience and creativity, your raw dog will be licking the bowl clean in no time.

And in the end, the health, vitality, and happiness you’re helping to unlock will make every moment of patience totally worth it.

🐾 Need help or want to share your pup’s progress? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a message or tag us @radowgfood on Instagram.

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