Should you be concerned if your dog only eats at night?
If you’re wondering ‘why does my dog only eat at night?’, you’re likely worried about whether it’s bad for their health. So, let’s address that issue first.
If your dog only eats at night and has always exhibited this preference, it’s probably nothing to fret about. However, when a dog only eats at night after previously chowing down happily during the day, it could be worrying. The best course of action in this case is to take your pet to the vet. They’ll be able to check your pup to make sure there’s no underlying health condition responsible for their behaviour change. Even if your pooch has consistently eaten this way and seems perfectly healthy, it might still be worth raising the issue with your vet next time you have an appointment. This can help to give you peace of mind about your canine companion’s unusual eating habits!
Another factor to consider is the quantity of food your mutt is tucking into after dark. If your dog only eats at night, they have to get all the nutrients they require in that one meal. The number of calories your pup needs every day will depend on several factors. These include their size, breed, age, and how active they are. Too much grub can lead to weight gain, and a host of associated medical problems. Conversely, not eating enough puts our pets at risk of nutritional deficiencies. If your dog only eats at night, there’s probably a higher chance of them consuming too little than too much. For those who are unsure of the amount of food their pooch needs, it’s best to check with a vet.
Understanding your dog’s eating habits
Nothing we’ve said so far directly answers the question ‘why does my dog eat at night?’. To help us understand this behaviour, we need to dig into what shapes our pets’ dining habits.
A lot of it comes down to personality. Some pups have the restraint to only eat as much as they require, even when food is available all day. Others respond to every meal as though they’re starving and it might be their last! It’s difficult to modify how food-motivated your mutt is. If your dog only eats at night, food probably isn’t a powerful motivator for them – and that’s ok.
Environment also plays a role in your pooch’s eating habits. If they suddenly change their behaviour regarding food, it’s worth considering if anything in your home has changed too. For example, maybe you’ve moved house, got a new pet, had a baby, or altered your working hours. Dogs like routine and consistency. Any adjustment to your furry friend’s life has the potential to cause stress or anxiety. It’s possible your dog only eats at night because they’re nervous and don’t feel comfortable tucking in until it’s quiet.
Another factor that could be influential is the food itself. If this is a new behaviour that has arisen after a change in food, perhaps the switch is to blame. With many dogs, you need to transition to a novel brand, texture, or flavour slowly to avoid problems. Alternatively, they might be bored of their existing grub. That may mean your dog only eats at night because that’s when they realise it’s all they’re getting. You could try adding toppings to make their meals more interesting and see if it encourages daytime snacking.
The impact of our daily routines on our dogs’ eating behaviour
It goes without saying that our behaviour influences that of our pets. And this includes their eating habits. For instance, some pups who struggle with separation anxiety might only eat when their pet parent is in the house. Others may prefer to tuck in with you around because of their instinct as a social pack animal. If you’re out all day, it could be that your dog only eats at night because that’s when you’re home.
Another way in which we influence our pooches’ eating behaviour is that we’re the ones who decide their feeding schedule. As an example, animals who receive food at random times rather than predictable ones are likely to experience food anxiety. They may feel unsure about when – or even if – they’re going to get another meal. This can lead to problems like scoffing their dinner too fast, begging, burying food, and digestive troubles. Sticking to a regular routine is better for your pet’s digestion, weight management, and mental health. Plus, it’s easier for you to predict when they’ll need to go outside!
One possible reason why a dog only eats at night is simply that this is when they receive their food. Even if their owner intends for them to graze on that food throughout the following day, they might eat it all at once. If you’re not around to feed your pup at regular times, it could be worth buying an automatic food dispenser. This will enable you to maintain your pet’s routine no matter what you’re doing or where you are.
The role of diet type in feeding timing for your dog
There are several ways in which the type of food your pet eats may affect the timing of their meals. For example, you can leave dry food out for much longer than wet food before it becomes inedible. Kibble is therefore better for pups who graze throughout the day. Likewise, if your dog only eats at night after you’ve gone to bed, kibble could be a more sensible choice. This issue also means it’s trickier to dispense wet food automatically compared to dry food.
One reason it might be problematic if your dog only eats at night is if they have a medical condition. Some pups need to take medication with food at specific points during the day. Others have to tuck into a special type of fare, like hydrolysed dog food, or food for dogs with diabetes. In such cases, eating once a day may not be appropriate. Speak to a vet for personalised advice if your pet has a health condition and eats just one daily meal.
Whatever kind of diet your pooch is on, it’s important to choose a high-quality food that meets their needs. This will vary according to their age and the condition of their health. You can also add extra toppings to their bowl to boost the nutritional content of their meals. For instance, sea buckthorn powder is rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, folate and omega-7 fatty acids. As such, it may support the health of your pet’s skin, fur, and immune system.
Breed and weight factors in dog feeding patterns
Your pup’s size and breed have an influence on how much food they should consume a day. This might help you decide whether it’s a problem that your dog only eats at night. Bigger dogs naturally require more calories than smaller ones, and possibly also an extra meal per day. So, if you have a large breed like a Newfoundland or Alaskan Malamute, one daily feeding may be insufficient.
Along similar lines, more active breeds of dog will need to consume more calories per day than inactive ones. This means that if you have an energetic pup, like a Siberian Husky or Border Collie, it might be more of an issue if your dog only eats at night.
Your pet’s weight will naturally change over the course of their life. This is just one of the reasons that puppies and senior pooches require less food than adult dogs. In particular, puppies should be eating a minimum of three meals a day to help their digestion, energy, and growth. As such, if your dog only eats at night and they’re under six months old, take them to the vet.
With senior mutts, single daily meals might not be such a concern. However, routine and consistency are especially important for elderly pups – most notably if they’re experiencing some cognitive decline.(1) Any change you make to their feeding schedule or diet should therefore be even slower. Keep this in mind if you have an older dog who only eats at night.
Practical tips for adjusting your dog’s eating schedule
If your dog only eats at night and you’d like to change that, it should be possible to alter their feeding schedule. Though it might take a little patience! You’ll also need to ensure they continue getting all the nutrients and calories they require to stay healthy.
Any adjustments made to your pup’s eating schedule ought to be gradual. The first thing to decide is what you’re aiming for. Do you still want to only feed your pooch once, but during the day rather than at night? Or would you prefer them to eat two or even three daily meals? Your answer will dictate what to do next.
Starting with the first option, you can try gradually making your pooch’s mealtime earlier and earlier. Begin by serving them their food 15-30 minutes before their normal dinnertime. If they’re content with this, stick to the new time for a couple of days. Then, adjust it by the same amount again. Continue this cycle until you reach a feeding time that you’re happy with.
Moving on to the second, this requires you to reduce the quantity of food you give your mutt at night. Again, you must do so gradually. Start by giving them 4/5 of their normal nightly meal, then the remaining 1/5 the following day. They should have this new mini-meal at the same time every day. Stick with this for a few days. If your pooch is happy, progressively increase the proportion of food in the daytime serving until it’s 50-50.
If at any point your pet experiences digestive troubles, go back a step and wait for it to clear up. If the symptoms are severe, take them to the vet.
Is it ok to feed my dog just once in the evening?
So, what if your dog only eats at night and it’s convenient for you? Do you still need to change their feeding schedule? Not necessarily. If your pet has always eaten this way and the vet agrees that it’s not a problem, you can continue. In fact, there’s even a chance it could have benefits for their wellbeing. One study found that dogs who ate once a day had better health than those who ate more frequently.(2) That included better cognitive health, as well as a lower incidence of gastrointestinal, liver, dental, kidney, and pancreas disorders. However, research into this is limited, and many vets recommend we feed our pets 2-3 times a day.
In terms of timing, experts advise not giving your pup a large meal just before or after exercising them. This is because it raises the risk of a condition called bloat. That’s where the stomach fills with gas and twists. Not only is it painful, but it can also be life-threatening. If your dog only eats at night, they shouldn’t encounter this risk (unless they’re a fan of midnight walkies!).
However, one potential danger if your dog only eats at night is that it raises the chance of weight gain. If your pup goes to sleep soon after a meal, their body is more likely to store the calories as fat and not burn them off. You can mitigate this by making sure they get enough exercise during the day.
Final thoughts on your pup’s midnight feasting
Hopefully, this post has given you some insight into why your dog only eats at night and whether it matters. If you have any concerns about your pooch’s eating habits, we definitely recommend speaking to a vet. Then, if necessary, you can try the tactics above for altering their feeding schedule.
