As with people, dogs have their favorite foods, with considerable variability from subject to subject.

Experiences as a puppy influence attitudes toward food: dogs who have grown up tasting different foods tend to be more curious about new flavors, while individuals who have varied little are often a bit picky.

With regard to the composition of food, dogs are mostly attracted to the taste of fats, but if these are not fresh there are rancidity phenomena that make the food much less attractive. Dogs also appreciate sweet flavors and some special aromas related to the presence of protein, while they show little interest in salty.

Like humans, four-legged animals do not like the bitter taste, which in nature in typical of noxious foods.

Finally, we must remember that the sense of smell also plays an important role in food selection: the canine sense of taste is not highly developed, while the sense of smell is absolutely formidable. Therefore, a dog will generally taste a morsel only after smelling it.

To improve the palatability of a food, therefore, we can warm it up, so as to promote the dispersion of aromatic molecules into the air. Let us also remember that once the package is opened, the food gradually loses its fragrance and palatability. Kibble takes almost a month while wet food, even if kept in the refrigerator, does not retain odor and flavor for more than five days.

Therefore, it is best to avoid buying packages that are too large so that we can always serve a good lunch to our four-legged friends!