What to do with a picky eater

Your dog needs Maev’s nutrition, but they’re not totally sold yet. Here’s how you can help.

Real talk: We all have that one friend that exclusively orders chicken tenders wherever you go because they “can’t stomach anything else.” But while friends can communicate exactly what they don’t like and why, it’s harder with a dog.

Luckily as fellow dog parents and community experts, we’ve picked up a few tried-and-true tricks for convincing any picky eater onto Maev. As it turns out, there are a host of possible reasons for your dog’s pickiness — many of which are easily fixable with a few adjustments to their mealtimes.

Start here: Have you properly transitioned your dog to Maev?

Oftentimes, a dog’s rejection of new food is not because they don’t like it — it’s simply because their body hasn’t been allowed time to adjust. A gradual dietary transition allows their digestive system to introduce and acquaint with new nutrition, avoiding stomach issues and assumed lack of appetite.

If you think this may be your dog, use Maev’s vet-approved transition schedule to get back to licked-clean bowls in 10 days.

“I’ve properly transitioned my dog, but they’re still being picky.”

Maev’s frozen texture helps maximize the dental health and hygiene benefits of feeding raw. However, some dogs are more sensitive to cold or frozen textures than others.

In this case, simply portion their food into a bowl and let thaw completely before serving. You can also lightly cook and cool the food — Maev was designed to be totally food-safe no matter the serving state.

“My dog won’t eat their greens.”

Don’t worry, we hear this a lot, and it usually doesn’t pose any legitimate health concerns — skipping veggies once or twice a week is akin to allowing yourself an occasional cheat day. Try these time-tested tips for disguising their greens:

• Give your Raw Food bag a good shake before scooping to ensure the ingredients are well-mixed.

• Let the food thaw slightly in the bowl for 3–5 minutes at room temperature before feeding. When served in this softer state, many picky eaters will eat the food cubes in one swoop, rather than being selective about colors and textures.

• If your dog still isn’t feeling it, try adding a small amount of water or Bone Broth to the bowl before feeding. Some picky eaters just find soupy consistencies more appetizing.

If your dog is specifically and regularly rejecting their vegetables, visit your local vet to find a long-term solution.

“My dog’s still being picky, but needs the health benefits of Maev Raw Food.”

We’re actively working to develop new Raw Food formulas that accommodate other dietary preferences. In the meantime, try one of these hacks:

• Mix an equal proportion of diced boiled chicken with Maev. This incorporates the bland diet, which helps remediate stomach and digestive issues.
• Mix their old food with Maev and add a healthy liquid to blend them together. We suggest water, melted Bone Broth, or goat’s milk.
• Add a tasty incentive like Bone Broth or their favorite treat as a topper.

If your dog still doesn’t take to Raw Food, try supplementing their missing nutrition with Maev’s daily Vitamin Bars. Designed with whole, hard-to-find nutrients that fill common health gaps, they’ll help replenish the functional nutrition they need for optimal health.