Let me start by saying that my dog, Buster, is one of the pickiest eaters I’ve ever encountered. I mean, this guy even refuses to eat most fruits and vegetables! As a very active cattle dog, I want to make sure he’s getting the nutrition he needs to keep up with his high energy levels. So, I recently embarked on a (very expensive) mission to find a dog food he actually enjoys.
After trying eight different dog food brands and formulas, Buster decided he would only eat two of them! At first, I’d get excited when he’d take a bite and think, “Finally, I found one he likes!” But the next day? He’d turn his nose up and walk away like it wasn’t good enough for him anymore. If you have a picky eater like Buster, I’m here to save you some time and money with reviews of each food we tried—and Buster’s very opinionated verdict.
The Disliked Foods
These well-known dog foods just didn’t make the cut for Buster, no matter how hard I tried.
1. Purina Pro Plan High Calorie, High Protein Dry Dog Food, 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula
This formula is designed for active dogs, packed with protein and calories, with real chicken as the main ingredient. Out of all the options, this was the cheapest and Buster would occasionally eat it, but only if I added a tasty topper. Without a topper? Forget about it. He wasn’t interested.
2. Merrick Backcountry Healthy Grains Pacific Catch Recipe
With freeze-dried raw pieces and a fishy Pacific Catch flavor, I thought this would be perfect since Buster loves rolling in smelly things (seriously, the smellier, the better). But to my surprise, he barely touched it. Despite the wholesome grains and raw boost of nutrition, this fishy kibble just didn’t win him over.
3. Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe
This sounded like a treat—a raw-infused formula with dry kibble and freeze-dried beef and red meats. I was sure Buster would devour it, but nope! He sniffed it, maybe took a nibble, but ultimately, he wasn’t having it. Raw-infused foods just didn’t seem to appeal to him, which I still find baffling!
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food (Chicken & Grains)
My foster dogs used to love Blue Buffalo, so I figured it would be a hit with Buster too. Boy, was I wrong. Not only did he barely touch it, but he actually spit it out after a couple of bites! This high-protein, healthy-weight formula was not for him. If only Buster’s taste buds appreciated the wholesome grains and natural ingredients.
5. Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison and Venison
Taste of the Wild has a great reputation, and I was excited to try this ancient grain recipe with roasted bison and venison. I mean, who wouldn’t want to eat bison and venison, right? Well, apparently Buster. Despite the exotic meats and high-protein content, it stayed mostly untouched in his bowl. Maybe my dog’s palate is more “basic” than I thought!
6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken & Brown Rice)
I gave Blue Buffalo another shot with their Life Protection formula, hoping this everyday chicken and brown rice option would win him over. Nope! Buster walked up to the bowl, sniffed it, and then walked away like it was beneath him. So much for reliable and simple!
The Liked Foods
After a lot of trial and error (and many trips to the dog shelter to donate food), there were two dog foods that Buster actually loved! Finally, something he’d eat without a fuss.
1. Wellness CORE+ (Formerly RawRev) Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Wild Game Duck, Wild Boar & Rabbit
This grain-free food was an instant hit. The mix of duck, wild boar, rabbit, and freeze-dried lamb was right up Buster’s alley. He devoured this food with excitement every time it hit his bowl! It’s packed with high-quality protein and no grains, which is a win in my book too. If your dog enjoys exotic meats, this one’s definitely worth a try.
2. Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free Hero’s Banquet Recipe
Another Merrick option, but this one was a winner! The Hero’s Banquet features freeze-dried raw pieces with beef and salmon, and Buster loved the combination of flavors and textures. It’s also grain-free, which is a bonus since Buster seems to do better without grains. This is one of the few bowls he finished without hesitation, and it’s now a staple in his diet.
Conclusion
If you’ve got a picky eater like Buster, finding the right dog food can be a real challenge. Out of the eight we tried, he only truly enjoyed Wellness CORE+ Wild Game and Merrick Backcountry Hero’s Banquet. Every dog has different preferences, but hopefully, this helps you save some time (and money) in your search.