Why is My Dog Not Eating His Food But Will Eat Treats?
The concept of a ‘desert stomach’ - the apparent ability to crave and eat dessert even when you are really full - is often commented on and joked about by humans. However, this ‘phenomenon’ can be very concerning when we witness it in our beloved dogs, especially when you are trying your hardest to give them a balanced diet.
There can be a number of reasons, ranging from physical issues to behavioral issues to plain old dissatisfaction.
Let's take a look at some possible causes.
How Do Treats Differ From Dog Food?
The contents of the treat might not make as much of a difference as you think. The main factor is - treats are tasty and they are normally bite-sized. Most treats contain more salt, fat, and flavor than regular kibble.
They also come in textures that are made to be appealing to dogs.
The circumstances of the treats are also different. Treats are associated with positive things and behavior. They can also be consumed quickly and at any time, unlike receiving their normal dog food in a bowl on a set schedule.
Common Causes of Eating Treats but Not Dog Food
Eating some foods but not others is called ‘Partial Anorexia’. Sometimes this can be from your dog having picky eating habits, but there’s normally a psychological or physical issue why they refuse.
Physical Issues
Physical issues are medical or structural reasons your dog might refuse to eat.
Stomach Problems
Stomach issues may be the reason why your dog avoids their food. This can be because large meals make them feel uncomfortable, while smaller treats are more palatable.
Keep an eye out for stomach issues such as bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, or malaise. This might just be a brief infection, but could also be a chronic stomach issue, such as ulcers or inflammatory diseases. Keep an eye out for any worms or eggs in their poop.
Another issue is that your dog might suffer from food allergies. If you are using a lot of cheap, dry food, then it might be too heavy or make your dog feel sick. While treats, such as meat, animal skin, peanut butter, etc, might have fewer allergy-causing additives and be less likely to cause an upset.
Signs of allergies can also include vomiting and bloating, as well as other issues such as wheezing/coughing, itchiness, rashes, or hair loss. Try substituting your dog’s regular food for more whole foods, or try an elimination diet. A vet might also be able to do an allergy test or give you pointers.
Smaller, more frequent meals might be easier to handle and help your dog’s appetite.
Dental Issues
Dental issues can affect your dog’s eating habits more than you think. Swollen gums, abscesses, missing teeth, etc., can make chewing dry dog food difficult or even painful. While more common in seniors, even younger dogs can have issues.
Treats are smaller and often softer, making them easier to scarf down without putting pressure on their teeth.
Pet parents need to keep an eye on their dogs’ mouths for signs of damage or disease. Many vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily, and three times a week minimum, to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.[1]
This will have to be treated by a vet. In the meantime, you can try switching to soft canned food or other wet food that is easier to chew.
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Other Illness or Medical Conditions
Certain chronic or acute conditions can also affect your dog’s appetite. This can be an acute or sudden sickness, such as an infection, meaning your dog may not feel like eating large or rich meals.
It could also be a chronic issue, such as kidney diseases, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, blood diseases, gastrointestinal disease, liver diseases, and even different types of cancers.
Underlying health issues can cause discomfort and affect digestion, making it difficult or uncomfortable to eat. Older dogs may be especially susceptible to kidney diseases. Airway and lung diseases can make swallowing painful or difficult.
If your dog won’t eat, and this is accompanied by other issues such as excessive peeing, bad breath, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, get them to a vet immediately. Regular checkups can help a vet pick up issues before they become a problem
Unrelated medical issues can also result in your dog not eating. If your dog is in pain, they may not want to eat a lot. Certain medication side effects can also result in nausea or a decreased appetite.
Neurological Problems
Some neurological issues, or even vestibular disease, can also cause problems. A lack of coordination can make your dog’s regular eating habits difficult for them. Finding and using their dog bowl may become tricky, or they may worry about injuring themselves.
Emotional Issues
A dog not eating normally requires a vet visit, but the issue might not always be a medical one. Dogs can be surprisingly complex and may not eat if they feel stressed out or anxious.
Boredom
Dogs may happily eat the same food for years, eagerly rushing to the bowl to grab a bite.
However, this doesn’t mean that they never get sick of it.
Dogs who eat treats regularly may get used to the delicious flavor and textures, preferring treats to eating the same regular food that they see all the time. Sometimes they may crave the flavor, or even the extra minerals/fats, that a treat provides.
Consider changing your dog’s food around every so often.
Sometimes you can make eating food more appealing by adding some low-sodium chicken broth, cooked vegetables, essential fats (like omega fish oil), or by mixing in some yogurt or eggs.
Switching to a new food may also put your dog off eating food for a while. Dogs have food preferences and may just be unhappy about the change.
Resource Guarding
Your dog’s environment may really impact their eating habits. If only one dog won’t eat their regular food in a multi-dog house, look out for signs of bullying or anxiety.
Sometimes another dog may push your dog away from their food bowl, come to steal their food, growl and snap, or become very excited or agitated at mealtimes. In time, mealtimes can be very stressful for the less dominant dog, especially if they're an older dog dealing with an excited puppy.
They may prefer to eat treats, since the treats are handed directly to them in a less stressful environment.
Fights over food are common, but if it seems to happen regularly, you may have to consider feeding your dogs at separate locations or times. Keep the more excited dog distracted and away from the hungry one. This is especially important for seniors or slow eaters.
Anxiety
Anxiety may be another reason why your dog refuses food but will eat small meals or treats.
Anxiety can take lots of forms and can stem from a variety of reasons.
A new dog, a new baby, a new house, guests coming over - all of these disrupt your dog’s regular schedule and cause them stress. They may also have chronic stress from things such as separation anxiety, trauma, or other mental issues. A stressed dog may not feel like eating.
If your dog won’t eat because of anxiety, you may have to target the issue at the source. A new pet or baby will be adapted in time, but you can reassure them and make them comfortable.
Consider inquiring with your vet about sedative medications for short-term stressors and increasing the length of their walks. Dogs thrive when they get the exercise they need, and it can help them build up an appetite.
You can also help combat anxiety by feeding your dog somewhere quiet, ‘watching over them’ while they eat, or by providing them with a shirt or jacket. Dog clothes have been proven to have a ‘swaddling’ effect that can help a dog to feel more secure.
If the weather is too hot for a jacket, consider a dog t-shirt. It provides the swaddling effect without overheating them. If you are curious about dog t-shirts, try Sparkpaws’ Dog T-Shirt Collection for a variety of well-sized t-shirts in a range of colors.
Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety may also eat less. If you think your dog suffers from separation anxiety, consider things such as crate training, doggy daycare, hiring a dog walker, or having a friendly face stop by to check on them if you are going to be away for long.
Preference
It may sound strange, but sometimes the issue isn’t your dog’s diet or food preferences; sometimes it's the food bowl. Your furry friend may find their bowl difficult to eat out of.
They Ate Too Much
Your dog’s poor appetite may also come from an abundance of treats. If they have filled up on tasty treats throughout the day, a common problem when training, they may just not be hungry enough for regular dog food.
Solutions
Once you have dealt with the underlying issue, it may take some time to get your dog back to normal. Consider heating their meals, so your dog can smell the food’s aroma. You can also start slowly by adding some treats to their regular food.
Conclusion
‘Why won’t my dog eat?’ is a scary question, but there are many answers.
The issue could be a medical problem.
Dental issues and digestive issues, such as stomach/intestinal or liver problems, can make eating painful and unpleasant. Even unrelated medical issues, such as kidney disease, lung disease, or infection, can reduce appetite.
Other times, a dog may not want to eat because they don’t like their food or the environment it's served in. This could be because of a stressor, competition from other dogs, or unrelated anxiety, like anxiety.
An issue can even be very simple, such as too many treats during the day, or not liking the bowl they were given.
It can take some time to find the issue, but once a vet has given you a clean bill of health, just focus on slowly trying new methods until your furry friend is comfortable enough to eat again.
Happy Walking!
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