Wild Animals won't eat what do I do?

[AnnaBanana]

I'm having a hard time feeding the wild animals the foods that they like. I've tried petting them first but It takes a lot of time and effort still to feed a wild animal. What am I doing wrong?

[pixelpixy]

You have to place it literally right in front of it.
I had this issue as well, because as soon as you approach it, it tends to run away.

[princesszelda]

Some of the animals are pretty finicky compared to others. Make sure you put the food right up to them, like giving a gift to a villager. If they don't start eating it within a few seconds pick it up and try it again.

I basically had to force feed the turtles.

[sn0wyuki]

I tend to put right in front whenever they run and stop (yes they will stop at a point). After putting the food and see they were either sniffing or on top of it, move further and I always make sure I see the response after they eat it before I left the scene. Turtles will stop and hide in it shell so make it easy to feed just you will be interrupted by the closing store hour.