Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat treats?
There are several potential reasons why a dog will eat treats but not food. Some are physical, some are psychological, and others relate to the meals and snacks themselves. Understanding why your dog won’t eat food but will eat treats is crucial to knowing how to break the habit. First, we’ll go through some of the most common explanations, then look at ways to solve the problem. Here’s what might be behind your pup’s behaviour:
Your pet loves treats
This is perhaps the simplest and most likely reason your dog eats treats but not food. Manufacturers design these bite-size snacks to smell and taste irresistible to our pups. Because of this, your pet’s regular kibble can seem boring and even unappetising in comparison. And don’t forget that dogs are clever. Yours may have realised that if they refuse to eat their normal meals, you’ll capitulate and feed them more treats. If you suspect this is what’s happening, you’ll need to stay strong and ignore those puppy-dog eyes! Another factor to consider is that some treats are quite high in calories. If you give your pet too many, they’ll be too full to tuck into their lunch or dinner.
Your dog is a picky eater
Some pets can be fussy about their grub. They only like certain flavours, brands, textures or smells, and refuse to even look at any others. If this is true for your pup, it might not be the treats that are the real issue. Instead, they may not be keen on the meals you’re serving them. One clue could be that your dog eats treats but not food after you change what you dish up. In which case, try switching back to the old chow and seeing if the problem persists or not. Another possibility is that your pooch is bored of their food. If they’ve been tucking into the same meals for a long time, they might fancy some variety. We’ll talk more about how to make your pet’s dinner more appealing later in the post.
There’s a problem with your pooch’s food
Boredom isn’t the only reason a dog won’t eat his food but will eat treats. It’s possible that there’s something wrong with the food itself. And because dogs have very sensitive noses, they’re more likely to detect an issue than we are. For example, maybe there’s a hole in the kibble packaging and the biscuits have gone stale. Alternatively, if you store it in a plastic container, it might have lost some of its crunch and freshness. Try opening a new bag and seeing if this solves the problem.
Your mutt feels stressed or anxious
It’s feasible that the fact your dog eats treats but not food has nothing to do with either the treats or the food. For instance, both stress and anxiety can have a major impact on your pet’s eating habits. Our pups are fans of routine and consistency, and even slight changes could make them nervous. Adjustments like a new pet, moving house, or alterations to your working hours may put them off their dinner. Alternatively, perhaps loud noises like fireworks are frightening them and stopping them from tucking in.
Because treats tend to be both small and delicious, your pooch might still manage to eat these despite their nerves. So, have a think about whether there’s anything that could be making your pet anxious. And remember – some stressors are more obvious than others. It’s also possible that your own stress is affecting your mutt, so consider if you’re experiencing anxiety at the moment too.(1)
Your pup is unwell
The final potential explanation for why a dog eats treats but not food is that they’re feeling under the weather. Digestive issues and other medical conditions can cause a loss of appetite, while dental problems might make chewing painful. Along similar lines, appetite loss is a side effect of certain medications. If the problem persists for more than a few days or you notice any other symptoms, take your pooch to the vet. They’ll be able to help you get to the root of the issue and recommend appropriate treatment.
The problem with giving your dog too many treats
Ideally, treats should make up no more than 10% of your pup’s daily calories. Excessive consumption can lead to obesity – especially in inactive animals – which raises the risk of several harmful conditions. These include diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems. It’s easy to think that a dog not eating food but eating treats is ok as long as they don’t exceed their recommended calorie intake. However, things aren’t that simple.
Obesity isn’t the only concern for pets who are munching on too many treats. These miniature snacks are not complete meals, and don’t contain all the nutrients your pooch requires to be healthy. Eating just treats is not a balanced diet, and in the long run is likely to result in nutritional deficiencies. And, as with us humans, nutritional deficiencies may lead to all sorts of health problems in our pups.
To give an example, a lack of vitamin A can cause skin issues and difficulty seeing in low light conditions. Meanwhile, vitamin D deficiency might be harmful for bone health, and insufficient vitamin E could affect the immune system. In terms of minerals, low magnesium could stunt growth, and too little potassium may cause lethargy.
It’s also possible that gobbling down large quantities of treats will give your pup digestive troubles. Some are additionally high in fat, sugar, and sodium, as well as filler ingredients like artificial flavourings and preservatives. Consuming too many could result in health problems, even if your pet isn’t exceeding their suggested calorie intake.
This gives you an idea of how important it is to take action if your dog eats treats but not food. With that in mind, let’s look at some solutions to the problem.
How to get your dog to eat their food
The best strategies to try will depend on the reason your dog eats treats but not food. If we assume that it’s a simple desire for these moreish snacks that’s to blame, the following should help.
The first step is limiting the amount of treats you give your pup between meals. This should prevent them from feeling too full for their proper food. Then you need to make sure that you’re sticking to a regular feeding schedule. Pets thrive on routine, and if they know when to expect their dinner, it may help regulate their appetite.
If your pooch is turning up their nose at their meals and demanding treats instead, try not to give in. Once they realise that no treats are coming, they should hopefully tuck into their food to satiate their hunger. Another tactic you can employ is positive reinforcement. Once your pup has eaten all their dinner, reward them with love and a treat. This should encourage them to repeat the behaviour.
If you think stress is why your dog eats treats but not food, you’ll probably need a slightly different approach. Where possible, it’s useful to pinpoint the cause of your pet’s anxiety and either remove it or lessen its impact. Creating a quiet and distraction-free space for your pup to have their meals should also help. And if you have more than one animal in your home, try feeding them separately. For those whose pooches struggle to deal with change, see if you can introduce those changes gradually. This should decrease the amount of stress they cause and make it less likely your mutt will lose their appetite.
Strategies for picky eaters
If your dog eats treats but not food because they’re a fussy eater, there are tactics you can try that should make their meals more appealing. For instance, adding some extra toppings to your pup’s bowl could help alleviate boredom with their food. You’ll find plenty of safe and tasty options to choose from, including herbs, eggs, berries, brown rice and vegetables.
Another technique that some people find helpful is adding a splash of warm water to dry dog food. This can release more of the kibble’s aroma and make the biscuits more enticing. It may also help to trial a few different brands and flavours of food to see which your pup prefers.
One thing to bear in mind when introducing new food is that it’s best to do so gradually. That’s because sudden changes in diet could cause digestive troubles for your pooch.(2) So, if your dog eats treats but not food, you could try mixing a few treats into their proper meals. Over time, decrease the number of treats you use until your pet is only eating normal food for dinner. Along similar lines, if you’re changing brands of dog food, don’t do it overnight. Mix the old and new foods together and slowly increase the proportion of the new one to 100%.
An interim measure that can be helpful when your dog eats treats but not food is choosing healthier treats. These tend to be those that have no filler ingredients or unwanted additives that don’t offer any nutritional value. Conversely, avoid those that are high in fat, sugar, and sodium. Another option is to try feeding your pup other, more nutritious, snacks alongside the treats – like carrots or blueberries.
Boosie.co functional pet food: a smart, healthy choice
Here at Boosie, we offer a range of functional foods for pets that could be of use if your dog eats treats but not food. First, adding them to your pooch’s bowl might help make their meals more appealing to them. Second, they go some way towards filling in the nutritional gaps left by a diet of nothing but treats.
For example, sea buckthorn powder is rich in omega-7 fatty acids, vitamins C and E, folate, and beta-carotene. Meanwhile, Jerusalem artichoke powder is bursting with gut-friendly inulin fibre, and chia seed oil contains heart-supporting omega-3 fatty acids. Even after your mutt returns to eating proper meals, such foods can offer valuable wellness support.
One ingredient that might interest you if stress is the reason your dog eats treats but not food is ashwagandha. Studies show that the herb could significantly reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in our pups.(3) Alongside the techniques mentioned above, it may help your pooch to feel more at ease and eat normally again.
When to seek professional help if your dog will eat treats but not food
There are some circumstances in which it’s best to get veterinary guidance if your dog eats treats but not food. For example, if you notice any other physical symptoms or behavioural changes in your pet, take them to the vet. Likewise, if your pooch’s refusal to eat normal food is sudden or extreme, it’s wise to request a professional opinion. An expert will be able to check for any underlying health conditions that might be to blame. Booking an appointment could also be a good idea if none of the strategies we’ve suggested above are working. If your dog hasn’t eaten for a couple of days, you should definitely seek a vet’s advice.
Final remarks
Hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of why your dog eats treats but not food. And, more importantly, how to help them change this behaviour. Remember to be patient with your pup and never try to force them to eat something they don’t want to. You’re far more likely to succeed with positive reinforcement, the right food, and a regular feeding schedule. The determination not to give in to your pet’s demands for treats is also a must!
