How do I get my dog to eat dry food?

A few simple tricks usually do it. Warmth and smell are the big ones, because dogs eat with their nose, so warming the food a little or adding a splash of warm water to release the aroma can make plain biscuits far more tempting. A spoon of something tasty stirred through as a topper works too, whether that's a bit of wet food, some plain cooked meat or a low-salt broth.

Routine matters more than people expect. Put the bowl down at set meal times, give it 15 or 20 minutes, and if it's not eaten, lift it and try again at the next meal. No snacks in between. Most healthy dogs won't starve themselves, and a bit of genuine hunger is the best sauce going. Feeding after a walk rather than before can help too, since exercise tends to switch the appetite on.

It's also worth looking at the food itself, because some dry foods are just bland and a dog turning its nose up might have a point. A tastier, meat-first kibble like Happy Hour, which leads with real NZ grass-fed lamb, can be the difference for a picky eater. If your dog's flat-out refusing to eat, losing weight or seems unwell rather than just choosy, get them checked by your vet, because a real appetite drop can be a health thing rather than a preference.