If dogs refuse their food but eat treats, it is usually due to an unbalanced diet or an upset stomach. Under certain circumstances it can also indicate toothache, poisoning, allergies or other illnesses.
If it's not the food, then it's usually a sign that your dog is feeling good. Depending on the symptoms, doctors differentiate between 3 different eating disorders:
- Decreased appetite (“hyporexia”)
- Loss of appetite (“anorexia”)
- Problems eating (“pseudo-anorexia”) [1]
If the amount you drink is normal, then that is usually a good sign. However, if your dog doesn't eat for more than 24 hours, I recommend seeing the vet.
Under no circumstances should you punish your dog for this behavior. In such situations it is more important that you investigate the causes.
For this reason, below you will learn about the 10 most common reasons why your dog refuses to eat but continues to eat treats.
Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.
#1 Unbalanced diet
Imagine if you only had mashed potatoes for dinner every day. At some point you would definitely get tired of it. Or not?
Dogs are no different here. Especially if they occasionally get other delicacies such as leftover food or treats.
The solution? Provide more variety and new tastes. In addition to changing the feed, the following methods have also proven to be effective:
- Mix 1-2 raw eggs into the food
- Eat on the floor next to your dog
- Mix the preservative water from a can of tuna into the food
- Combine the old food with the new
- Mix salt-free bone broth into the food [2]
If, despite these tips, your dog refuses his food and only accepts treats, then it's not the food. If so, then I recommend changing the food.
In order to choose a new food, I recommend doing a free food check. There you will get individual food recommendations for your dog.
After the short check, you will also receive a free box with food samples so that you can try out the recommendations on your dog yourself. It couldn't be cooler!
If dogs only get the same food day in and day out, they often refuse it over time. But they still eat treats here. The solution is therefore to make the food more interesting and to provide more variety with new food.
#2 Upset stomach
While humans were omnivores from the beginning, dogs only developed into omnivores through domestication. Their digestive system is therefore comparatively primitive.
This also explains why dogs have to deal with digestive problems and upset stomachs much more often. Typical triggers for this are:
- Dog slings
- Mold in the food
- Dog eats feces
- Intolerances
- Ate grass
- Allergies [3]
The pain causes them to refuse food, but still eat treats out of greed. Other classic symptoms of an upset stomach include:
- Dog has flatulence
- Loud stomach noises
- Profuse drooling
- Dog runs around restlessly
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Frequent licking of lips
- Restless behavior [4]
Normally, dogs fast on their own and start eating again as soon as they feel better. Something easily digestible like cooked rice can be useful afterwards.
If dogs eat too quickly or eat the wrong thing, they are more likely to get stomach aches. Although many refuse food at such a moment, greed drives many to eat treats anyway. Fasting for several hours is the solution here.
#3 Toothache
With dogs, you should never expect them to notify you of existing pain. Because this is a behavior they inherited from wolves.
The reason? In the wild, it is very dangerous for wolves to show external weakness. Otherwise they often become targets for other predators. [5]
If your dog suffers from a toothache, he will usually instinctively try to hide it. Typical triggers for the pain are:
- Tooth breaks off
- Bone and wood splinters in the gums
- Excessive tartar
- Inflammation of the gums
- Holes in the tooth [6]
Refusing food and eating treats is just one of many possible symptoms. Dogs with toothache also tend to prefer wet food.
The best way to recognize a toothache is redness, strange discoloration or blood in the mouth. Other classic signs of this are:
- Dog chews on one side
- Aggressive behavior
- Sudden whining
- Dog drinks too little
- Staring at the food
- Dog is sensitive to touch
- Rubbing the muzzle [7]
Does something look unusual in your mouth? And how does your dog react when you touch his snout? If you suspect pain, I recommend going to the vet immediately.
When dogs struggle with toothache, it also affects their eating behavior. What is typical here is that dogs still eat wet food and treats, but refuse normal food. In addition, discoloration in the mouth often occurs.
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#4 Poisoning
Even though poison bait is often mentioned in the news, in most cases inexperienced dog owners accidentally poison their four-legged friends themselves.
How? By either using very aggressive floor cleaners or giving them seemingly “healthy” foods to which they react toxically. Typical examples are here:
- Chocolate and cocoa products
- Grapes, raisins and wine
- Alcohol, hops and sugar alcohol
- Garlic and all types of onions
- All citrus fruits [8]
The best way to recognize poisoning is if the dog becomes increasingly restless or refuses normal food but eats treats. Other symptoms of this are:
- Dog seems depressed
- Constant wandering
- Dog is active at night
- Trembling at rest
- Rapid or heavy breathing
- Sudden diarrhea
- Whining and whining [9]
Since toxic things are broken down in the liver and kidneys, organ damage or even organ failure can occur. Here you should consult the vet immediately.
Poisoning can cause nausea, causing affected dogs to refuse regular food. However, their greed is often so strong that they still eat treats. In addition, affected four-legged friends often begin to tremble and vomit several times.
#5 Stress and anxiety
You probably know the expression: “Something upsets my stomach”. Not true? This phenomenon does not only occur in humans, but also in dogs.
Young four-legged friends, dogs with dementia and sensitive breeds are often affected by this. Typical triggers include:
- New family member
- Violence in education
- Strong storms
- Competition when eating
- New environment
- presence of strangers
- Loud noises [10]
Many dogs are so preoccupied with their emotions that they initially refuse their normal food. But many still eat treats. Other typical symptoms are:
- Ears laid back
- Frequent yawning
- Sudden tremors
- Dog often changes sleeping place
- Heavy panting
- Stooped posture
- Dog suddenly becomes nocturnal [11]
The solution? Find out what triggers these emotions and try to eliminate the cause. If this is impossible, then I recommend getting the dog used to it.
Severe anxiety or chronic stress can also affect dogs' stomachs, causing them to refuse food and only eat treats. This is usually accompanied by a sudden trembling, heavy panting and a tucked tail.
#6 Stomach and intestinal problems
In addition to an upset stomach, other problems in the stomach and intestines can also affect the dog's eating behavior.
The most common here is inflammation caused by the accumulation of bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites. Other typical causes are:
- Intestinal obstruction
- Gastrointestinal inflammation
- Inflammation of the stomach lining
- Stomach and intestinal parasites
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- stomach ulcers [12]
Loss of appetite in the form of dogs refusing food but eating treats is just one of many possible symptoms. Other typical signs are:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Sudden tremors
- Breathing problems
- Gagging without vomiting
- Accumulation of water in the abdomen
- constipation
- Strange chair color [13]
What is noticeable here is that the symptoms become more and more severe over time. It is important to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Problems in the intestinal and stomach region can be reflected not only in the stool, but also in the dog's behavior. In some cases, dogs give up their normal food, but continue to eat treats and wet food. Frequent gagging is also typical here.
#7 Liver disease
The liver not only plays a central role in metabolism, but also in filtering harmful substances and toxins. It is also one of the largest organs.
This also explains why the consequences of liver diseases can sometimes be very serious. Typical causes of this are:
- Bacterial inflammation
- Diet too high in fat
- Poisonings
- Untreated heartworms
- Cancer diseases
- Medication [14]
This can usually be recognized by the dog eating less and losing weight. In the early stages, affected four-legged friends often eat treats, but no food.
In addition, dogs with liver disease usually appear weak and are very thirsty. Other possible symptoms include:
Although liver diseases are not always curable, they can usually be treated with medication and a change in diet. The vet can help here.
Dogs with existing liver disease often drink a lot and eat little. Sick dogs often only eat their treats and no longer eat normal food. Increasing weight loss and a general feeling of weakness therefore occur more often.
#8 Pancreatitis
The pancreas takes on two key functions in the body. On the one hand, it produces insulin to regulate blood sugar, and on the other hand, it also produces digestive juices.
If this small gland becomes inflamed (“pancreatitis”), it affects the entire organism. The cause of this is unclear. Known risk factors are:
- Overweight
- High-fat diet
- Medication
- diabetes
- Side effect of surgery
- Old age [16]
Loss of appetite is one of the most common symptoms here. In the initial phase, affected dogs often refuse their own food, but still eat their treats.
In addition, lack of energy, frequent vomiting and abdominal pain are also among the most common symptoms…