What if my dog only eats half of his food

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated January 15, 2025

Contributions sourced from

What to Do When Your Dog Wont Eat Their Food But Will Eat Treats

It is common for dogs to not eat their food, but eat treats or table scraps. This is referred to as partial anorexia and it typically occurs because your dog doesnt feel well.

Partial anorexia means a dog will eat, but only if something special, such as treats or table scraps like chicken or beef, are added to the food. Sometimes, dogs will refuse everything but will eat something as peculiar as a fast-food hamburger.

Full anorexia is when a dog wont eat anything, including normal dog food, special treats, food doctored up with cooked ground beef, chicken, baby food, or anything you offer. Both problems can be serious, but full anorexia is an even bigger issue. Learn more about Home Care of Anorexia in Dogs.

Reasons for anorexia in dogs can vary from minor issues, such as an upset stomach, to serious and even life-threatening problems. For more information please see this article: My Dog is Not Eating, What Do I Do?

Reasons Dogs Wont Eat

There are several causes for a dog to be off their food or have partial anorexia. According to Dr. Etienne Cote, the reasons dogs may refuse to eat can be grouped into two major categories psychological reasons and medical reasons.

Psychological Causes for Anorexia in Dogs

Psychological causes of refusing to eat include things in a dogs environment that caused them to not want to eat. There is no underlying medical issue or disease. Common examples of psychological anorexia include anything that changes a dogs schedule or causes stress, including:

New pets in the home
New baby in the home
Guests from out of town
Moving to a new home
A loud thunderstorm
Remodeling or home construction
Switching dog foods
A change in schedules, such as a family member starting a job or becoming unemployed and staying home more frequently
A family member leaving the homestead, such as a child going off to college

Medical Causes for Anorexia in Dogs

Medical causes of anorexia include any condition or illness that causes a dog to not want to eat. They can include hundreds, maybe even thousands, of potential issues. The medical disorders that can cause anorexia include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, kidneys, airway, lung or blood, and anything that can cause pain. Information about some of the most common causes include:

Gastrointestinal Diseases The gastrointestinal tract includes the system that takes food in, processes it, and eliminates it. This includes everything from the mouth, esophagus (the tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach), the stomach, the small intestine, and finally the large intestine. A disease of any of these areas can cause a dog to not want to eat and are commonly associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract include infections of the bacterial, viral, or parasitic variety. Examples of infections are hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and viruses, such as coronavirus or parvovirus. Additional diseases of the GI tract include tumors, such as cancer, ulcerations, inflammatory diseases, food allergies, ingestion of indigestible objects that cause a foreign body, ingestion of spoiled food or trash, or even changes in food. Diseases of the mouth, such as bad teeth or ulcerations, can also cause pain and lack of appetite.
Liver Diseases The liver is an organ in the abdomen (belly) whose main job is to filter body wastes and toxins from the bloodstream. When the liver isnt working properly, toxins can build up causing nausea and inappetence. Many dogs will be lethargic and/or have additional symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
- Diseases of the liver include hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, toxic reactions from drug therapies, and congenital problems, such as a Portosystemic Shunt.
Pancreatic Diseases The pancreas is a small organ that sits near the stomach that has several jobs, including the production of insulin and digestive enzymes that help break down food in the stomach.
- Diseases of the pancreas include inflammation of the pancreas, also known as pancreatitis, and tumors of the pancreas (pancreatic cancer). When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the organ can release some of the digestive enzymes in to itself, causing further inflammation, pain, nausea, and lack of appetite. Pancreatic cancer also causes lack of appetite, lethargy, weakness, and general vomiting.
Kidney Diseases Diseases of the kidney, most commonly acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure, cause a loss of appetite. Many pets will also drink more, urinate more or less, have ulcers in their mouth, foul-smelling breath, and be lethargic.
Airway and Lung Diseases Diseases of the airway include problems associated with the nose, trachea, and lungs. Pets that have nasal diseases, such as infections or cancer, cant smell their food and often wont eat or will only eat treats. Pets with lung diseases may have a compromised ability to breathe, which causes them to not want to eat as it can be difficult to eat and breathe at the same time.
Blood Diseases There are many functions of the blood. Loss of blood or anemia from a variety of issues can cause dogs to become lethargic, weak, and lose their appetite. Anemia can result from loss of blood from trauma, ulcerations, immune-mediated problems where the body starts destroying its own red blood cells, or cancer. Often, we also see lethargy and weakness with diseases of the blood.
Neurologic Diseases The neurologic system is focused on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Diseases that cause seizures, lack of coordination, inability to walk, or pain can all cause lack of appetite. There are hundreds of neurological diseases that include intervertebral disc disease, brain tumors, epilepsy, and vestibular disease, just to name a few.
Other Diseases Any diseases that cause pain, such as a fracture, arthritis, or even something like eye pain, can cause lack of appetite.

As you can see, any disease that impacts the function of an organ can cause dogs to not feel like eating. If your dog is not eating, please see your veterinarian so that they can help identify the underlying cause and recommend the best treatment option to get your dog to start eating again.

Unfortunately, since potential causes of anorexia vary, so do the treatment methods and costs. If you're concerned about costs related to treating your pet's anorexia, pet insurance may be able to help. Click here to learn more.

How to Get Your Dog to Start Eating

To get your dog to start eating, you can try the following:

Begin by feeding them a fresh batch of their favorite dog food. If it is canned food, try heating it up, which can release the foods aroma. If it is dry food, try adding a small amount of water or chicken broth to make it more appealing.
If that doesnt work, you can try feeding them treats. If your dog enjoys treats, crumble them into their dog food to inspire ingestion.
Try feeding a bland diet, such as boiled hamburger or chicken, mixed with rice as a 50/50 mix. You can buy this food commercially or make it at home. See the bland diet recipe here.
Try to mix it up by feeding different varieties of canned food to see what is appealing to your dog.

Here are some great tips for home care for dogs suffering from inappetence. This article has suggestions that may help you get your dog to start eating.

How to Stop This from Happening Again

Many pet owners ask, How can I avoid having a dog that wont eat or will only eat their treats? The answer is to avoid underlying causes and monitor your pets diet. For example, if your dog is not eating because they got into the trash, ate some spoiled food, or have an upset stomach, the recommendation would be to ensure that your dog doesnt have access to the trash can. Another example is, if your dog is not eating due to pain from arthritis, work with your veterinarian to treat and prevent pain.

Additional Articles of Interest Relating to Food for Dogs that Wont Eat:

Why Does My Dog Only Eat Once a Day? (7 Common Reasons)

When your dog starts to eat less, it can be worrying. After all, food is essential for your dogs health and well-being.

There are a number of reasons why your dog may be eating less, ranging from simple issues like a change in diet to more serious problems like illness.

Here are seven common reasons why your dog may only be eating once a day.

1. A Sign of Illness

If your dog suddenly stops eating more than once a day, it could be a sign that they are sick. While there are many potential causes of this symptom, some of the most common include:

Gastrointestinal Problems:

If your dog is experiencing stomach pain, they may not want to eat as frequently. This could be a sign of issues like gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), or intestinal parasites.

Allergy:

Just like people, dogs can be allergic to certain ingredients in their food. The most common offenders are beef, dairy, wheat, and chicken. If your dog is allergic to something in their food, they may eat less often to avoid the pain and discomfort that comes with it.

Infection:

Another potential cause of decreased appetite is infection. If your dog is suffering from an infection, they may not have the energy to eat as much as usual.

Kidney Disease:

One of the early signs of kidney disease is a loss of appetite. This is because the kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins from the blood, and when theyre not functioning properly, those toxins can build up and make your dog feel sick.

Cancer:

One of the most noticeable symptoms of cancer in dogs is a loss of appetite. This can be due to cancer itself, as well as the side effects of treatment, such as chemotherapy. As a result, dogs with cancer may lose weight, become lethargic, and have a decreased interest in food.

If your dog is showing other signs of illness, such as vomiting or lethargy, then its important to take them to the vet right away. However, even if they seem otherwise healthy, a sudden change in appetite can still be a cause for concern.

If your dog isnt eating at all, it could lead to serious health problems, so its always best to err on the side of caution and have them examined by a professional.

2. They May Be Picky Eaters

Some dogs are simply pickier than others when it comes to food. If your dog turns up their nose at their kibble, it could be because theyre not a fan of the taste or texture.

There are a few things you can do to try to entice a picky eater to eat more, such as:

Adding wet food or canned food to their kibble
Mixing in some cooked chicken, beef, or other types of meat
Adding a small amount of broth to their food
Trying a different brand or flavor of kibble

3. Theyre Getting Older

One of the most common changes that owners notice in their aging dogs is a decrease in appetite. There are a number of possible explanations for this change.

For one thing, aging can lead to a decrease in the sense of smell, which can make food seem less appealing. In addition, many older dogs suffer from dental problems that make eating painful.

Finally, older dogs may simply have less energy and be less active, leading to a decreased appetite.

While its normal for senior dogs to eat less than they did when they were younger, its important to make sure theyre still getting the nutrients they need. Otherwise, they may lose weight or become malnourished.

4. Theyre Stressed Out

A dogs appetite is a good indicator of their overall health. Many things can cause a decrease in appetite, including stress. When a dog is stressed, their body releases hormones that can suppress their appetite.

This can be caused by many different things, such as changes in the home, separation anxiety, or even fear of thunderstorms.

In some cases, stress can also lead to gastrointestinal issues, which can further decrease a dogs appetite. If your dog is eating less than usual, its important to take note of any changes in their environment or routine that may be causing them stress.

5. Its an Old Habit

If you have a dog that only eats once per day, it could be simply that they are used to only eating once per day. This may be how they were fed as puppies, or it could be the way their previous owner always fed them.

6. A Change In Diet

Many dog owners are unaware of the fact that the food they feed their pets can have a significant impact on their appetite. Just like humans, dogs can become used to eating a certain type of food, and their bodies can become reliant on the nutrients it provides.

In some cases, a sudden change in diet can lead to an upset stomach or diarrhea, which can further reduce a dogs appetite. For these reasons, its important to change your dogs food gradually to avoid any stomach issues.

7. The Weather

When the weather gets warm, many people start to spend more time outside and become more active. However, our furry friends tend to spend less time running around and playing when the mercury starts to rise.

This decrease in activity level often leads to a decrease in appetite, and its perfectly normal for your pooch to eat less during the summer months.

When a dogs intake decreases, it is important to make sure that they are still getting all the nutrients they need.

Energy-dense pet food can help to compensate for reduced intake, as it contains more calories per bite. Nutritional-balanced pet food is another option, as it provides all the nutrients a dog needs in one package.

There are also a number of treats you can make easily at home and give to your dog to help them stay hydrated during the summer months.

Frozen bananas coated in peanut butter make a delicious and healthy snack, while frozen chicken or beef broth is a refreshing way to hydrate on a hot day.

You can even make your own dog-friendly ice cream using ingredients like yogurt, mashed banana, and peanut butter.

Is It Ok To Feed Your Dog Once a Day?

Its not recommended to feed your dog only once per day. Without enough food, your dog may start to become malnourished, which can cause muscle weakness, organ damage, and other impairments.

In addition, dogs who are fed only once a day are more likely to beg for food or steal scraps from the table, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Best Feeding Practice for Puppies

Puppies should be fed three to four meals per day until they reach adulthood. This frequent feeding helps them to maintain a healthy weight and develop properly.

Puppies also tend to eat more frequently but with smaller meals because their stomachs are smaller and their food is digested more quickly. For this reason, its important to use high-quality puppy food that is specifically designed to meet their nutritional needs.

When choosing a food, look for one that contains all the essential nutrients for puppies, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Puppies should also have access to fresh water at all times.

Best Feeding Practices for Adult Dogs

As any pet owner knows, a healthy diet is essential for keeping your furry friend happy and healthy. When it comes to adult dogs, the best feeding practice is to provide two meals per day.

This helps to keep their energy levels steady throughout the day and prevents them from becoming overweight.

In terms of portion size, a good rule of thumb is to offer 1/2 to 1 cup of food per meal for small breeds, 1 to 2 cups for medium breeds, and 2 to 4 cups for large breeds.

Of course, every dog is different, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions about your dogs specific dietary needs.

What Should I Do If My Dog Only Eats Once a Day?

If youre concerned about your dog only eating once a day and want to increase their intake, there are a few things you can do.

1. Rule Out Any Health Problems

If you notice that your dog is eating less than usual, its important to take action. A decrease in appetite can be a sign of a health problem, so its important to rule out any potential causes.

If your dog is eating only once a day, the first step is to check with your veterinarian. They will be able to assess your dogs health and determine if there is a medical reason for the decrease in appetite

2. Adjust Their Feeding Times

One way to increase your dogs food intake is to adjust their feeding times. For example, if your dog typically eats once a day, try splitting their food into two or three smaller meals.

This will help to stimulate their appetite and encourage them to eat more at each meal.

Additionally, you can try feeding them right before or after a walk or playtime. Exercise will help to increase their metabolism and make them more likely to be hungry when mealtime rolls around.

3. Make Sure Theyre Getting Enough Exercise

A healthy dog will have a good appetite and will be more likely to eat their food.

So, if youre worried about your dogs food intake, make sure theyre getting plenty of exercises. Take them on long walks, play fetch with them in the yard, or sign them up for a dog agility class.

Not only will this help to improve their appetite, but it will also provide them with much-needed mental and physical stimulation.

4. Try a New Food

If your dog is not eating as much as they used to, it might be time to switch things up with their food. Trying a new food may help increase your dogs appetite and help them get the nutrients they need.

When switching foods, it is important to start with a small amount and gradually increase the amount over time. You should also closely monitor your dog for any adverse reactions, such as vomiting or diarrhea

5. Add Some Wet Food

In some cases, adding wet food to your dogs diet may help increase their appetite. Wet food has a higher moisture content than dry food, which can make it more appealing to dogs who dont drink enough water.

Adding some canned pumpkins to your dogs food is another great way to increase their intake. Pumpkin is packed with nutrients and fiber, and its also a natural laxative, which can help with any digestive issues your dog may be having.

Conclusion

There can be several reasons why your dog only eats once a day ranging from medical problems to simple old habits.

If youre concerned about your dogs appetite, the best thing to do is consult with your veterinarian. They will be able to assess your dogs health and determine if there is a medical reason for the decrease in appetite.

There are also a few things you can do at home to help increase your dogs food intake, such as adjusting their feeding times or adding wet food to their diet.