First, you have the labrador retriever. An appetite on legs, a constantly questing mouth that will eat anything that stops moving long enough. They keep surgeons in business with the things they eat, and are the chubbiest dogs around. No one generally has any trouble getting them to eat- they will eat the same dog food, twice a day, for years on end and be just as excited as the first time.
Next you have the classic, little fluffy dog. This dog will turn his nose up at everything, and learns quickly that if they do that often enough and for long enough, their exasperated person will offer far more tempting vittles such as the food off their own plates. Before long, they’ve got their people trained to feed them whatever their hearts desire, which is usually not a nutritionally balanced dog food. I understand- it doesn’t look particularly appetizing to me, either. However, the one advantage dog foods have is the significant research behind them ensuring that the dog receives complete and balanced nutrition each and every meal.
What happens, then, if the little dog simply will not eat? Or if you find yourself with an invalid animal that just will not eat their old food? A pet who is elderly, or chronically ill, and difficult to feed?
I recommend that you visit balanceit.com, a website designed to help pet owners cook for their pets in a way that will ensure that they are getting a balanced meal. This way, everyone wins; the pet has palatable food that you know they will eat, and you can be assured that it is nutritious as well. Many people have had great success cooking for their pets in this way, if that is what you want to do.
Please remember to speak to your veterinarian if it is a matter of a decreased appetite, however. We do have ways of helping an animal regain their appetite even when ill. A sudden decline in appetite can often signify a greater problem (if the problem isn’t already known) and should be addressed, especially if it is something we can fix.