9 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Eating Treats but Not Their Food

If your furry friend is refusing to eat anything but treats, don't give in. It might be nothing more fussiness, but it could also be a sign of something serious.

Key Takeaways

• Sudden changes can make dogs fussy, stressed, or unhappy, which can lead to a shift in their dietary desires.
• Your dog might not be eating because their food has gone bad or contains ingredients they are allergic to.
• Age, medications, or dental problems can all cause your dog to stop eating their food.
• A reduced appetite could require veterinary attention in some cases.

1. Fussy Eater

For every dog that loves their dry kibble, there's another that has rather more refined eating habits. In most cases, that's understandable. After all, who doesn't get bored of the same food every day?

Still, it can leave you wondering. Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat treats? Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat human food? Why does my dog want to eat everything but his food?

The good news is that your dog's picky eating habits might be nothing more serious than fussiness. Perhaps your pet is bored of the same regular dog food. Or maybe their food preferences have changed.

Fixing this problem is simple: change what your dog eats! If you usually serve up dry food, try some wet food or canned food for variety. Even a different brand or recipe could be enough to get your dog's appetite back to normal.

Your dog's eating habits might also be affected by how its dog food is served. Maybe your dog has an issue with their food bowl. Or perhaps the room itself isn't up to your dog's standards. A new food bowl in a safe, quiet environment could get your dog eating regular food again. 

2. Too Much of a Good Thing

If your dog won't eat food, it could simply mean that they are full. Think of it this way; who among us hasn't finished dinner yet still found space for a treat?

Listen, we know your dog is the cutest thing in the world. But there really is too much of a good thing! Like humans, dogs have a recommended amount of calories they need to eat each day. 

Exactly how much depends on factors like the dog's size, age, and activity level. A larger, younger dog that's constantly running around will naturally need more food than a small, elderly dog that spends most of the day snoozing by the fireplace. 

You can check roughly how many calories your dog needs using an online calorie counter. There are also handy charts that display common calorie ranges for healthy dogs. (We'll cover what to do if your dog isn't healthy later.)

Fortunately, if you think you're overfeeding your dog, the solution is simple. Feed them less!

A dog also needs a balanced diet to stay healthy. Treats should make up a maximum of 10% of your dog's diet. Too many table scraps and not enough healthy food can leave your dog full but malnourished.

If you just can't bear to deprive your dog of their treats, you can always mix a little into their dog food. Just don't go overboard. 

3. Something's Wrong With Your Pet Food

If your dog rejects regular food but eats treats, it could just be fussiness. But there might genuinely be something wrong with the food itself.

Old food, for example, might have gone stale or bad. If that's the case, no wonder your dog won't eat their food! The food's aroma may seem the same to you, but for your dog, it’s like the difference between fresh and rotten milk. Try something new and see if your dog's interested. 

Alternatively, your dog might have food allergies that you're unaware of. 

4. Your Dog Has Endured Sudden Changes

Dogs thrive on routine. Keeping a regular feeding schedule is important. In turn, disruptions to that schedule might be the cause of your dog's refusal to eat regular food. 

Like humans, each dog is different. What stresses one out might not bother another. Try to think if there's been any major changes in your dog's environment or routine. Undoing those changes could fix the problem. 

New Guests

Dogs don't need to be taught about stranger danger. Even the friendliest dog can feel stressed around new people, especially if they are invading that dog's home. After all, you may have invited someone inside, but your dog didn't!

New Food

Changing your dog's food is sometimes the way to get them to start eating. But new food can also cause your dog to stop eating.

Perhaps you switched out your pet's favorite dog food, and the replacement is just not up to scratch. If that's necessary, try spicing up the food with some other ingredients. A tasty addition, like tuna water, could also convince your dog that this new pet food isn't all that bad.

If you know your dog's food preferences, fixing this problem becomes a lot easier. Maybe there are certain brands or flavors they just don't like. Experiment and see what works.

New Environment

Changing your dog's environment can turn them off their regular food. Maybe you tried feeding them in a new room, or perhaps you moved house. 

Generally, dogs prefer a safe, quiet environment to eat. Adding signs of comfort could help. Giving them personal space might also work. 

New Friends (or Foes)

Making friends can be hard. It's even harder when you have no control over the appearance of those friends. All of us pet parents have heard of the potential difficulties when introducing a dog to a new pet.

The mere appearance of a new player in your dog's life can make them stop eating their regular food. Much of the advice above applies here.

Timing Problems

There's no shortage of viral videos featuring a dog demanding its dinner. Our furry friends seem to have an uncanny ability to sense exactly when feeding time is. And the more sneaky often try to push that time even earlier.

That might be hilarious to us, but many dogs take it seriously. Disrupting your dog's usual timeframe can upset them.

5. Your Dog is Stressed Out

Your dog's poor appetite could be caused by stress. Anyone who's been stressed knows the effect it can have on hunger. You also likely know that there's no shortage of things that can cause such stress.

Thunderstorms

Those large, booming claps of thunder send many dogs into a panic. In fact, there are coats designed specifically to help keep dogs calm during storms. Calming supplements can also ease stress. 

Fortunately, if this is the cause of your dog's stress, they should be alright once the weather calms down again.

Fireworks

These man-made booms can be just as terrifying to dogs. Like thunder, this might be a case of waiting for calm before trying to feed your dog again.

Separation stress

Remember, you are your dog's whole world. If your dog is missing a loved one, they might lose their appetite. 

Pet Power Dynamics

Unfortunately, pets aren't always familiar with the concept of sharing. Your dog's eating habits can be impacted by how your other pets behave. A dominant dog, for example, might intimidate another, stopping it from eating. 

6. Medication Side Effects

Is your dog taking any medications? Check the listed side effects. You might find ones related to appetite. Loss of appetite is sadly a rather common side effect of many pet medications.

If you've had to struggle to trick your dog into taking its medication, you have our sympathies. Our pets can turn into real magicians when it comes to separating the pill from the peanut butter!

If you think medications are affecting your four-legged friend’s appetite, consult your vet as soon as possible.

Gut Health

It can be hard to work up an appetite on an upset stomach. Gut health supplements, such as pet supplements containing colostrum, can promote a healthy digestive tract.

7. Your Dog's Getting Older

Time is a cruel mistress. Those first gray doggy hairs can cause no shortage of stress in owners. 

As we mentioned above, puppies naturally require more calories than adult dogs. Senior dogs also often eat less. In part, that can be because dogs become less active as they enter their twilight years.

Getting your elderly dog to eat their food can be a challenge. Mixing in something special, like chicken broth, might help. 

However, adding special treats to their food can cause its own problems. Broth, for example, is quite salty. Make sure your dog's diet is as balanced as possible and that they're drinking enough water.

8. Your Pet is Uncomfortable

For many pet owners, nothing is more heartbreaking than seeing your furry friend in discomfort. This can cause your dog to refuse regular food while still eating treats. 

Dental Issues

The most obvious culprit might be located in your dog's mouth. Dogs can get sticks or bits of bone trapped in their jaw. These can make it difficult to eat. 

Alternatively, your dog might have dental problems. 

Your dog might still eat treats because they are smaller, softer, and tastier. One gulp might be doable, but a whole meal beyond them.

Other Injuries

If you've checked your dog and see no signs of dental issues, don't rule out general discomfort. Achy joints could be one reason why your pet’s appetite is ruined!

Consult your vet for assistance.

9. Your Dog is Sick

Dental issues are far from the only medical condition that can cause dogs to refuse to eat food. If you've ruled out all of the other factors, your dog might have an underlying health problem that you aren't aware of. 

Your pet's health is closely related to their willingness to eat their food. All kinds of health issues can lead to a lost appetite. Even itchy skin or dry paws can cause them to turn up their nose at their dinner! And like with people, your dog might feel too sick to eat food but might be able to rouse themselves for table scraps or dog treats.

Is Your Dog Still Drinking Water?

Food is important, but water is also vital. Check to see if your dog is still drinking. If your dog is drinking water as normal, that's a great sign.

The following techniques can help encourage your dog to drink water if they’re not getting enough:

• Clean bowl
• Fresh, cool water
• Add a little tuna juice (not brine or oil)
• Add some cooled water used to poach a chicken
• Give them ice cubes

Conclusion

We've covered the 9 reasons your dog might not be eating regular food. There are plenty of tricks to help your pet rediscover their lost appetite. Softening food with water, mixing in some tasty additions, or trying a new recipe may all help.

If you notice any serious changes in appetite, seek veterinary help right away. 

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.