When Dogs Refuse Food but Want Treats: What It Means and What to Do

We’re all used to handing our pooches a treat or two whenever they behave well or learn something new—or even when they’re simply being cute. After all, that’s what treats are for.  But what if your dog won’t eat its actual food but will happily gobble up all the treats?

Every dog needs a complete and balanced diet to live a happy and healthy life. You may be wondering: “Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat treats?” Chances are, there’s an underlying issue. So, what’s causing the problem, how do you deal with it, and how do you prevent it from happening again? This article has the answers. 

Why Is My Dog Not Eating His Food But Will Eat Treats?

The issue of a dog not eating its own food but saying yes to treats is quite common. In fact, it is a condition that’s very familiar to us, humans; it’s called partial anorexia. Unlike normal anorexia, being partially anorexic means that your four-legged friend is choosing what to eat and what not to eat. 

Now, it’s possible that Fido is just being a picky eater, but you can’t rule out underlying physical and psychological issues. It might also be your feeding habits or just the quality of food you’re offering and the way you’re storing it. Keep in mind that treats don’t pack the amount and quality of nutrients that regular dog food does. That’s why you’ll need to get to the bottom of the issue so that your canine companion starts eating its actual food again—and getting the nutrients it needs. 

Common Reasons Dogs Refuse Their Food

Medical Issues

Dental Problems

A broken tooth, gum problems, or an oral infection can all cause your furry friend a lot of pain and can make chewing a hassle. This is particularly true if you feed your dog kibbles. In this case, your dog will prefer a soft treat instead. Dental issues can be quite problematic if you don’t deal with them right away, especially since the bacteria can spread into the vital organs and cause bigger problems. 

Gastrointestinal Diseases

If your dog’s not eating food but still wants treats, another issue you may be looking at is gastrointestinal disease. These can affect the GI tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. Bacterial or viral infections, parasitic infestations caused by hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, or even tumors or ulcers can all lead to a loss of appetite. 

Most of these come with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of energy. If you notice any of these signs, you’ll want to get on the phone with the vet. 

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, usually due to the extra consumption of fats. In the case of pancreatitis, you’ll notice an unusual loss of appetite, often along with vomiting and diarrhea. These same symptoms can point toward pancreatic cancer, too. Either way, a visit to the vet is a must. 

Liver Diseases

The liver’s main job is to filter toxins and body wastes from the bloodstream. When it doesn’t work well, these same wastes and toxins can build up and cause diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Liver problems include hepatitis, liver cancer, and cirrhosis of the liver, and they all call for medical attention.

Kidney Diseases

Kidney issues, whether acute or chronic, can cause your dog to lose appetite. You’ll also notice Fido urinating more, drinking a lot of water, having stinky breath, and lacking energy. If your dog’s not eating and has any or all of those symptoms, you might be looking into a kidney disease. 

Other Conditions

Many more medical conditions would have you asking, “Why is my dog not eating anything but treats?” Lung and airway diseases, which affect the nose, trachea, and lungs, may affect your dog’s ability to smell, making food less appealing. Loss of blood or anemia can also cause a lack of appetite in dogs, and so do neurological issues, which usually show very clear signs, like seizures, lack of coordination, and even inability to walk. There are, of course, all the things that might cause pain, like fractures or arthritis. And then there are food allergies in dogs, which will make your dog lose interest in its meals. 

Psychological Factors

Dogs are more sensitive than we may think. A simple change in their environment or routine can upset them and send them on a hunger strike. Once you’ve ruled out all the medical issues that might be causing your dog not to eat, take a moment to think about the things that might’ve upset it. This can be separation anxiety or something as simple as someone in the family becoming unemployed and spending a lot more time at home—which may confuse your dog.

Thunderstorms, the arrival of a guest, a baby, or a new pet to the family can all trigger your dog as well, killing its appetite. Even things like renovating a house or moving to a new one can stress out a dog. Remember, dogs do not love change, they’d rather stick to their old routine than have to adapt to a new living situation.

Feeding Habits

Another reason why your dog might not be eating its regular food is that its eating habits are all over the place, and it just can’t understand what’s going on with the food situation. Feeding Fido at irregular hours or simply leaving the food out all day for him to eat whenever he pleases may cause partial anorexia in dogs. 

Overfeeding treats and lack of variety in meals may also be the reason why your dog’s not eating, and so would a sudden change in the food. This is why it’s important to stick to a schedule and avoid giving treats every time Fido looks at you. And if you need to switch to a new food for some reason, make sure to do it gradually. 

Food Quality and Storage

If there are no medical issues, no change in environment, and the feeding schedule is just fine but your dog still won’t eat food anything but snacks, the issue might be in food quality or storage. Food that you don’t store properly can spoil and lose flavor, making it less appealing to your dog. Expired food can also be why your dog’s not eating— because it can cause digestive discomfort, and your dog will know better than to eat it again. 

Other than that, poor-quality food that lacks nutrients and artificial additives can cause gastrointestinal issues or food sensitivities. To prevent all this, make sure you’re feeding your four-legged friend good-quality, fresh meals while double-checking expiration dates, storing the food in airtight containers, and placing them in cool, dry places. 

How to Encourage Your Dog to Eat Regular Food Again

Deal with the Underlying Issue First

Needless to say, the best way to get your dog to eat its regular meal again is by dealing with the underlying issue head-on. If it’s a medical condition, you’ll need to treat it. If it’s the quality of the food, you’ll want to try another brand. Before you know it, your dog will likely get back to eating regular food. There’s still a chance it would still refuse to eat, especially after a long hiatus, in which case you’ll want to try the next few solutions.

Offer Your Pooch Its Favorite Food with a Magic Touch

Does Fido have a favorite canned food but is still refusing to eat it after you solved the underlying issue? All you need to do is remind it how much it used to love the food—by appealing to its sense of smell. You can do that by heating up the food a bit. This will release the food’s aroma and instantly make it more tempting to your furry friend. If your dog’s favorite food happens to be kibble, adding some chicken broth to it should do the trick. 

Add Treats to Your Dog’s Food

If the magic touch doesn’t work, you can always take the treat that your dog would eat while refusing food and add it to the meal. Simply crumble its favorite treat into the regular food to encourage eating again. This way, Fido will be enjoying the taste of the snack and getting the nutrition of the actual food—a win-win situation.

Try New Food

If your dog is still not eating, maybe it’s time to consider changing the dog food and trying other types of dog food. You might be surprised that, while you were worrying and wondering why your dog is not eating anything but treats, your dog had simply changed its taste in food. Maybe it's grown tired of the same old meals. Introducing a new option can easily solve the problem and get your dog back to eating nutrient-rich food. 

When to Consult a Veterinarian

Accompanying Symptoms

Usually, when there’s an underlying condition behind your dog’s refusal of regular food, you’ll see the signs. If you notice symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, excessive thirst, and weight loss, consider reaching out to a vet. This can mean that your dog’s appetite problem has less to do with being picky and more to do with a medical or psychological problem.

Prolonged Refusal of Eating Regular Food

Let’s say it’s been a day or two since your dog stopped eating regular food. You’ve tried all the possible methods to get it to eat again, including heating up the food, mixing it with treats, or even trying organic dog food. It might be time to ask for a veterinarian’s help. 

A few hours of food strike can happen once in a while, but once it goes to more than a couple of days, you’ll need to call the vet. In such scenarios, only a vet can really know what to do.

Age and Pre-Existing Health Condition Considerations

Puppies, elderly dogs, and dogs with pre-existing health conditions should not be skipping meals. Waiting a day or two and hoping for the best is not an option here. Dogs that fall into these categories need to follow their special diet to a tee and can’t afford to skip that many meals. So, if your dog’s not eating, and it’s either a puppy, an elderly, or one that has pre-existing conditions, contact a vet right away.

Preventing Food Refusal in the Future

Once you’ve solved your pooch’s partial anorexia issue, you obviously don’t want it to happen again. There are a few measures you can take to avoid a future hunger strike.  

If it’s a feeding habit issue, getting your dog to stick to a consistent routine is a no-brainer. Just leave the meal out for around 20 minutes and if Fido doesn’t touch it, just remove the food. This will teach it to eat at specified times. 

You’ll also have to limit the amount of treats your dog gets throughout the day. This way, it will know that treats are for special occasions and not something it can eat for meals. An important thing to remember is to keep the food fresh and buy the best quality available. Store the dry food in airtight containers and refrigerate open wet food so that the quality doesn’t deteriorate. Last but not least, give your dog a calm environment during meals; stress can make it lose interest in the food.

To Wrap Up 

A dog not eating food but still wanting treats is a problem every dog parent would love to avoid. Whether it’s a medical issue, a psychological one, or one that has to do with your dog’s surroundings, simple lifestyle changes or maybe a quick visit to the vet can get Fido to his old self. Just make sure to act as soon as you see the signs and your pooch will be greeting its meals with a wagging tail. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dog is just being picky or if they’re sick?

It is a little tricky to know whether your dog’s just being picky or is actually sick, especially at first. But there will be signs to tell you what you’re looking at. If the change in appetite happens suddenly, you might be looking into partial anorexia. If your dog has medical issues, you’ll see other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive drooling, or pain while eating. If you notice any of these signs, reach out to your vet. 

What are safe toppings to add to dog food to make it more appealing? 

Anything from chicken broth to cooked and unsalted chicken or turkey can add flavor to your four-legged friend’s food. You can also try cooked vegetables like carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes. For extra flavor, canned pumpkin and unflavored lactose-free yogurt can do the trick. Just make sure they’re sugar-free. 

Can treats ruin my dog’s appetite permanently? 

Even though it is unlikely for treats to ruin your dog’s appetite permanently, they can still be problematic. If offered randomly or in large amounts, they can cause your dog to lose interest in its usual food. Always keep in mind that treats are just rewards for good behavior, successful training, and every once in a while as an expression of love.

Should I switch to a different dog food brand if my dog refuses to eat?

If your dog insists on not eating the food you’re offering and you’ve ruled out any underlying medical condition, then yes. Switching to a different dog food can be a good solution. If your dog is on kibbles, you can try shifting to wet food. Since many dog food brands come in different recipes like chicken, turkey, and beef, you can simply alternate between flavors to make things interesting for Fido.

How much treat consumption is too much for a dog? 

There’s no definite answer to how much is too much when it comes to treats, and it depends on the breed, age, physical activity, and health condition of your dog. However, the general rule of thumb is that the treats should not make up over 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. At least 90% should always come from more nutritious meals.