Help! My picky pup won't touch his new food - any tips?

Hey everyone, I'm at my wit's end here. My 3-year-old lab mix, Buddy, has been on the same kibble since he was a pup, but our vet recommended switching to a senior formula since he's getting older. I bought a premium brand that got great reviews, but Buddy just sniffs it and walks away! He'll eat treats fine, but ignores his bowl. Any advice on toppers that might entice him, or brands that are more palatable for fussy eaters? I've tried mixing in a little wet food, but he just licks around the kibble. SOS!

lol not a dog expert but with my reptiles, sometimes they just need time to adjust to new food. Maybe try fasting him for a day? My bearded dragon refused crickets once until he got hungry enough. Also, warming the food slightly can release more scent - works for my fish pellets too. Good luck!

I feel your pain! My cat Mr. Whiskers is SO picky - he'll only eat one specific flavor of one specific brand. For dogs, have you tried adding some low-sodium chicken broth? Or a spoonful of plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling!). My neighbor's dog goes crazy for that. Brands-wise, my sister's fussy poodle likes Royal Canin's appetite stimulation formula, but it's pricey.

OMG my cats are the same way! When I switched their food last year, I did it SUPER slowly over 2 weeks - like 90% old food/10% new at first. Maybe Buddy just needs a slower transition? Also, try sprinkling some nutritional yeast or a tiny bit of parmesan cheese on top (check with your vet first though!). My cats think it's crack lol.

Oops sorry for double post but just thought of something else - have you tried different bowls? One of my cats refused to eat from a stainless steel bowl but was fine with ceramic. Maybe Buddy doesn't like the sound/feel? Also, make sure you're not feeding near loud appliances or in high-traffic areas. Stress can ruin their appetite!