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

Picky eating is a common behavior in dogs, often seen when they refuse to eat their regular meals or show disinterest in food. This is often caused by a number of factors, such as taste preference, texture aversion, or illness. The dogs might have a preference for treats over normal food due to the increased fat, sugar, or flavor, which makes them more desirable. Treats are usually more stimulating to dogs because they are a release of flavor that perhaps their daily meals do not offer. It's, however, important to trace the source of finicky eating because it can be associated with medical conditions, behavioral problems, or improper feeding habits. Tackling the underlying reason means the nutritional requirements of the dog are satisfied and feeding complications avoided.

Understanding the Behaviour

Treats are more flavorful and aromatic than the normal dog food and usually imply a reward. If a dog misses meals but consumes treats, it may be normal, but it may also indicate that they are being finicky or stressed by the changes around them. If you are wondering why dogs love treats so much? Then here are few reasons:

• Treats are made to smell and taste more delicious than standard dog food. They contain a better flavor that dogs love, and usually rich in fat and protein, making them more rewarding

• Treats smell more than regular dog food, and that makes them more appealing. The aroma will make a dog hungry and curious.

• Treats also vary in texture, such as soft or chewy, which some dogs find more appealing than the hard crunch of normal food

• Dogs perceive treats as rewards. Receiving a treat generally indicates that they did something correct. Whether for good behavior, successful training, or just a special treat.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Skip Meals But Eat Treats?

Yes, it's actually very normal for dogs to experience phases of being finicky or fussy eaters, missing meals but munching on treats:

• This may be a temporary phase motivated by shifts in their routine, surroundings, or even their present state of health. This attitude is not necessarily alarming unless it continues for a very long time or with other indicators of

• Environmental stress can impact dogs, including changes in their home environment, travel, or a new member of the family. Stress can cause a loss of appetite for normal food for a short period, but treats might still be tolerated since they are comforting or distracting.

Common Reasons Why Your Dog Won’t Eat Their Food But Will Eat Treats

Dogs may miss their everyday diet but still indulge in treats for a number of reasons such as boredom, illnesses, stress, or excessive treats. Finding out whether the problem is a matter of taste preference, discomfort, or disruption in routine can solve the problem.

a. Boredom with Food / Preference for Taste

Dogs may get tired of having the same food every day, and this may prompt them to shun their regular meals. To introduce some variety, you can try providing different flavors or varieties of dog food. Meals can be made more appealing by the addition of natural foods such as cooked meat, vegetables, or bone broth. These can make their food more palatable and appealing.

b. Health-Related Issues

• Teeth or gum problems, like gum disease or cavities, may cause dogs pain when chewing their normal food. If eating is painful, they may skip meals but still like softer snacks

• Stomach or digestive disturbances such as nausea or food intolerance, can cause a dog to turn away from regular food. Treats may be easier to digest, so they may prefer them

• Intestinal worms or parasites may influence a dog's willingness to eat. If your dog eats treats but turns away from regular meals, it could be a parasitic issue.

c. Behavioral Issues

Dogs may lose interest in food due to stress caused by loneliness, sudden noises, or alterations in their environment. Treats may still be enticing as they are reassuring or linked with good things.

Transitioning to a new home, eating in another space, or the presence of a strange person might confuse or stress a dog so that they neglect meals but take treats.

d. Overfeeding Treats

If your dog is over-treated, they may be full and do not desire the normal food. This may lower their appetite for the main food.Keep track of the quantity of treats to make sure they are not displacing meals. Make sure treats don't exceed a fair portion of their daily calorie consumption, as excess can lead to a loss of appetite for standard food.

Why Puppies May Refuse Food but Love Treats

Puppies often do not want to eat their regular food but still reach for treats. This is because teething is painful, so eating regular food is no longer comfortable. During this period, they are attracted to softer and more flavorful treats as they are easy to chew. Puppies are also curious and enjoy trying new flavors to discover their top picks.

• Teething Pain: Teething is painful in a puppy's mouth, so they shun normal food. Softer treats are more attractive since they are less painful to chew

• Learning Phase: Puppies enjoy discovering and experimenting with different tastes. They tend to find treats tastier and more thrilling than normal food. As they mature, they begin to develop likes and dislikes for some flavors.

• Switching to Solid Food: When puppies transition from their mother's milk to solid food, it may be a challenging change. They may not enjoy the new tastes or textures, so treats provide a more agreeable alternative during this time.

When to See a Vet

You should take a vet visit if your puppy or dog is extremely tired, vomiting, losing weight, or not eating for over one or two days. Early vet visits will be able to detect any health issues and stop them from worsening.

• Warning Signs:Fatigue, vomiting, weight loss, and loss of appetite are potential indicators of severe health problems in your dog

• Refusing Food for 24–48 Hours: If your dog doesn’t eat for more than a day or two, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out hidden health problems

• Potential Medical Tests:A veterinarian may suggest tests such as blood tests, X-rays, or a stool test to determine the cause. These tests identify problems such as infections, parasites, or other issues that could be influencing your dog's appetite.

How to Encourage Your Dog to Eat Regular Food

Puppies often do not want to eat their regular food but still reach for treats. This is because teething is painful, so eating regular food is no longer comfortable. During this period, they are attracted to softer and more flavorful treats as they are easy to chew. Puppies are also curious and enjoy trying new flavors to discover their top picks.

• Teething Pain: Teething is painful in a puppy's mouth, so they shun normal food. Softer treats are more attractive since they are less painful to chew.

• Learning Phase: Puppies enjoy discovering and experimenting with different tastes. They tend to find treats tastier and more thrilling than normal food. As they mature, they begin to develop likes and dislikes for some flavors.

• Switching to Solid Food: When puppies transition from their mother's milk to solid food, it may be a challenging change. They may not enjoy the new tastes or textures, so treats provide a more agreeable alternative during this time.

When to See a Vet

You should take a vet visit if your puppy or dog is extremely tired, vomiting, losing weight, or not eating for over one or two days. Early vet visits will be able to detect any health issues and stop them from worsening.

• Warning Signs: Fatigue, vomiting, weight loss, and loss of appetite are potential indicators of severe health problems in your dog

• Refusing Food for 24–48 Hours:If your dog doesn’t eat for more than a day or two, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out hidden health problems

• Potential Medical Tests: A veterinarian may suggest tests such as blood tests, X-rays, or a stool test to determine the cause. These tests identify problems such as infections, parasites, or other issues that could be influencing your dog's appetite.

Best Product For Your dogs

Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Daily Dental Chews for Large Dogs

Dogs are naturally curious creatures and investigate the world around them with their mouths, which means having healthy teeth is paramount. Pedigree Dentastix Daily Fresh dental chews are designed to assist in keeping your dog's teeth healthy and clean. They have a lovely flavor, something that your dog will appreciate.

Main Benefits:

• They can remove up to 80% of tartar buildup and promote healthy gums when given on a daily basis.

• With green tea extract and eucalyptus oil, these chews ensure that your dog's breath is left fresh.

• Developed with consultation from experts at The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, such as vets and nutritionists.

• These chews contain less fat and no added sugars, artificial flavors, or coloring.

• Produced in various pack sizes to suit small, medium, and larger dogs.

Webbox Fillets Dog Treats - Chicken

Webbox Chicken Fillets Dog Treats are manufactured primarily with natural chicken, featuring high protein, low fat and being healthy but tasty at the same time. They do not have artificial flavor, color or preservative ingredients and are both grain-free and gluten-free and thus great to use with a dog having sensitivities with the food he consumes. Dental chew texture promotes health, and an added benefit of this. These snacks are ideal for dogs above 3 months, so they are a wonderful addition to your pet's diet.

Key Features:

• Made of 99% natural chicken for better protein content

• Gluten and grain-free for easy digestion by dogs with sensitive stomachs

• Chewy texture maintains clean teeth and reduces plaque

• All-natural ingredients with no artificial additions

• Perfect for puppies from 3 months old, fostering healthy snacking habits

Whimzees Variety Dental Dog Treats for Medium Breeds

Whimzees Variety Dental Dog Treats are formulated for medium dogs, weighing 12-18 kg. They are vegetarian and natural, utilising six primary non-GMO ingredients, making them ideal for dogs suffering from food allergies. The variety of shapes and textures helps minimise plaque and tartar and also encourage healthy gums and curb bad breath. The treats are manufactured in the Netherlands and contain no artificial additives, gluten, or meat.

Benefits:

• Clinically proven to reduce tartar and plaque, freshen breath, and support gum health when used regularly

• Formulated from six main non-GMO, vegetarian ingredients with no artificial additives

• Individual shapes stimulate chewing and clean hard-to-reach teeth

• Longer-lasting than most other treats, providing longer cleaning time.

• Low-fat and high-fiber, making them ideal for dogs with sensitive dietary requirements

Skinners Field & Trial Joint and Conditioning Dog Treats - Salmon & Turmeric

Skinner's Field & Trial Dog Treats with Salmon & Turmeric are hand-baked with natural ingredients. They assist with joint health, skin, and coat, for dogs and puppies from 2 months of age. And they're in eco-friendly packaging too.

Key Benefits:

• Maintains joint health with the addition of glucosamine

• Packed with omega-3s from salmon oil and linseed for healthy skin and a glossy coat

• Contains turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties

• Formulated using natural ingredients such as English wholemeal flour, salmon meal, vegetable oil, linseed, turmeric, and glucosamine

• Packed in environmentally friendly, resealable, biodegradable bags to keep the treats fresh while minimizing wastage

Good Boy Dog Treats - Crunchy Chicken & Calcium Bones

Here at Good Boy Pawsley & Co., we enjoy bringing smiles to the faces of dogs. Our Crunchy Chicken and Calcium Bones consist of natural, human-grade chicken. They are packed in a convenient resealable bag.

Features:

• Made from 100% pure chicken breast meat

• Only 1% fat, ensuring a lean and healthy snack alternative

• Wheat and cereal free, ideal for dogs with delicate stomachs

• No added colors or flavorings

• Calcium-fortified to assist in maintaining healthy teeth and bones

These snacks are crunchy, which stimulates chewing. Chewing can prevent gum disease and tooth loss. Chewing also assists in keeping jaws healthy and clean teeth.

Conclusion:

While it may seem harmless at first, a dog that only eats treats and refuses regular meals could be signaling a bigger issue. Whether it's a matter of taste, routine, or health, it's important to address the cause early. By balancing tasty rewards with nutritious meals and paying attention to your dog’s behavior, you can help them maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle. And when in doubt, a vet visit is always the best step forward. Click here to choose the best dog foods and treats.

FAQs

Q1: Why is my dog not eating his food but will eat treats?

A: Your dog may be bored with their food, overfed on treats, or have dental or digestive issues. Treats are often tastier, making them more appealing even when regular food is rejected.

Q2: What should I do if my dog won’t eat kibble but eats everything else?

A: Try mixing kibble with wet food or switching brands. Also, check for dental discomfort or consult your vet for underlying health concerns.

Q3: Is it bad if my dog only wants treats?

A: Yes. A treat-only diet lacks balanced nutrition. Reduce treat frequency and gradually reintroduce regular meals.

Q4: Why is my puppy not eating their food but still takes treats?

A: Puppies may be teething, bored of their current food, or need a more enticing texture. Try puppy-formulated wet food or soaked kibble.

Q5: How long should I wait before worrying if my dog won’t eat?

A: If your dog skips more than one meal or shows signs of illness, consult your vet immediately.