Why is My Dog Not Eating His Food but Will Eat Treats?

Reasons Why My Dog Won’t Eat Normal Dog Food

• Does your dog turn their nose up at their dry food and only want treats? Sounds like a picky eater! Refusing to eat is not always a big deal, but dog owners should first rule out any medical condition. Not eating regular food could be caused by untreated dental issues such as a cracked or infected tooth. Or they might be suffering from food allergies, especially if you have changed your dog’s diet recently. Changing routines or a dog’s environment can also mess up a dog’s appetite. And if your seemingly healthy dog is refusing to eat, their food might be expired, stale, not to their preference, or your dog is tired of the same food. They might also be in the habit of preferring to eat treats or human food over their regular food.

Is it Common for Dogs Not to Eat Their Food?

• Dog’s eating habits can be finicky, so it is not surprising that sometimes dogs don’t want to eat. However, most dogs love food! Pet parents have observed that their pups will do anything for a treat, making it very easy to reinforce good behaviors and teach tricks. They will always try to follow you in the kitchen if they think they might get a tasty treat or meal. While not all dogs are this food motivated, if you have a dog not eating their regular food, there is a chance it could be a symptom of serious health issues. Owners will know their pet’s eating habits and food preferences better than anyone else, but if you are worried you should always talk to your veterinarian.

What Factors Could Affect My Dog’s Eating Habits?

• Illness. Sudden changes to your dog’s eating habits like refusing their regular food could be a sign of a health issue. While a dog’s poor appetite or change in food preferences does not always suggest an illness, if they have other symptoms besides bad eating habits it could be indicative of something serious like infections, pain, kidney diseases, inflammatory diseases, cancer, or liver issues. You should see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
• Dental disease. If there is something in your dog’s mouth that is hurting them and eating is painful, it could be a mouth pain. Severe dental problems can be caused by a broken, loose, or infected tooth, gingivitis, or oral tumor. If your dog refuses to eat their food because of tooth pain, you might not be able to see if it is something like a tooth root abscess.
• Recent vaccination. You should always give your dog their vaccinations based on veterinary advice, as they are imperative to prevent certain contagious diseases. Over the past 100 years, vaccines have been responsible for saving millions of pet’s lives. However, they can occasionally have bad side effects. Luckily dogs usually recover quickly, but they might lose interest in their favorite food preferences temporarily.
• Travel and unfamiliar surroundings. Dogs thrive on routine, so a change in routine or a new place can lead to your pup’s eating habits changing. The stress of traveling or moving might mean your dog loses interest in their regular food, even if they still like to eat treats. Furthermore, traveling can cause car sickness and an upset stomach, making your dog lose their appetite.
• Picky Eating Habits. If you have a picky eater, they might not be comfortable with their current eating habits or like regular food. Some dogs resource guard when eating or might need their bowl at a certain height. While there are many reasons your dog’s appetite might be irregular, it is still good to check with your vet before assuming they are simply a picky eater.

What Pet Parents Can You Do if Their Dog Won’t Eat Their Food But Will Eat Treats

• It can be frustrating when your puppy or dog won’t eat even though you have offered many choices of pet food. Then after turning their nose up to every new food, they gobble up their treats! This behavior might seem worrisome, but there is no immediate cause for concern. Let’s take a look at some strategies that will help improve your dog’s appetite and condition them to be less picky.

Stop Feeding Treats

• First, stop the steady flow of treats! Rich treats and table scraps can fill a dog up making them uninterested in their regular dog food. A diet based on treats could lead to your dog missing some important nutrients they get in regular food. So give them less treats, at least until they are better about their normal eating habits. Once they know they won’t get delicious treats until after they start eating a normal meal, they will be better about their food preferences.

Monitor Their Health

• Don’t always assume your furry friend has a picky appetite when they’re not eating their favorite dog food. Not eating food could be a sign of a health issue. Pet parents should always take them to see a trusted veterinarian to rule out the possibility of an underlying health problem.

Choose One Brand of Dog Food and Stick to It

• If your dog refuses to eat, it might sound easiest to constantly change their food until you find something they like. However, this simply conditions them to be picky. Instead of trying different brands of dry or wet food that might fit their food preferences, stick to one food for your dog’s diet. If your dog thrives on this food and seems healthy, continue giving it to them every day for several weeks. Eventually, they will understand that is the only food offered and they are not getting treats if they don’t eat!

Offer Food at Specific Mealtimes

• Dogs tend to do better with a regular feeding schedule instead of grazing with a food bowl always full of kibble. They quickly learn that if there is always food, they don’t have to eat everything right away. Instead, leave their meal out at breakfast for 30 minutes, then pick it up, giving it back at their next mealtime. They will be hungrier and more likely to finish their dinner.

Consider a New Food

• Based on their food preferences, dog’s eating habits can be wildly different. Dogs can have favorite proteins or brands. Changing a dog’s food too often is not great for your dog, but if you think they might do better on a new food it could be worth your time. Remember to slowly mix their new food into their old food as sudden diet changes can be hard on your pup’s stomach.

  Many pet owners have found success with home-cooked human-grade dog food for their picky furry friend. Human food’s aroma like rice, plain cooked chicken, and chicken broth might tempt your picky dog. Research and talk to your vet to ensure your dog stays healthy and has a balanced diet if you decide to cook your dog’s meals.

  Some dogs could have a sensitivity to certain ingredients. Look out for other symptoms like itchy or excess gas. Working with a vet to eliminate certain proteins from their diet is a good place to start if you think your dog has a sensitivity or allergy to any foods. Additionally, senior dogs might suddenly turn their nose up to the food they have been eating because of dental issues. Canned food or wet food might be easier for them to eat and you should ask your veterinarian to check for a cracked or infected tooth.