What to do when a dog only wants to eat human food

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

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4 Tips for Dogs that Will Only Eat Human Food and not Dog Food

Every now and then, you may have fed your dog some human food as a treat but it may have now reached a point where your dog is ignoring dog food altogether and only willing to eat when human food is presented in front of him. Here are some tactics you can employ to get your picky-eating dog back onto a regular diet that doesnt only amount to human food.

Can Dogs Eat Human Food?

Yes, a lot of human food are actually safe and nutritious for dogs to eat, but it should always be fed to dogs in moderation. There are also a lot of human food that are dangerous for dogs. Chocolate is the prime example, but you also need to consider others like bacon (high in sodium content) and cooked food that contains garlic (may damage red blood cells).

For most dog owners, we would suggest making a dogs diet primarily consist of dog food as they are formulated to meet a dogs daily dietary intake. Here are some tips and tactics for dog owners who have picky eaters in the house.

Be Consistent with the Food Choices

It may be time to show your dog some tough love by only giving him one type of food and sticking to it at all times. You should not give the dog any treats or tasty add-ins during this time. Whether it is regular kibbles or other types of dry dog food, you should offer it to your dog two or three times a day. If they dont respond to the food within ten minutes then take it away.

In most cases, the dog will eventually give in and start eating the dog food within two or three days. It might not seem right as you are starving the dog but in some situations, this might be necessary to let your dog know that there is no point in waiting it out for better-tasting food.

Take Your Dog Out for a Run

This is an add-on to the above method and works well for the most stubborn of dogs. With this method, you are trying to make your dog feel hungry by taking him out for a run. This is what we suggest. Take the dog out for a morning run then offer him plain dog food soon after. If he doesnt eat the food within ten minutes then take it away.

In the evening, repeat the same steps. If the dog doesnt approach the food in ten minutes then take it away. Eventually, your picky-eating dog will give in and start eating the plain dog food. Make sure, though, that your dog has access to water at all times.

Try Offering Your Dog Different Flavors

Dogs are just like us and enjoy different flavors and taste. Maybe they got bored of the same old chicken-flavored kibble they have been fed for most of their life. Diversifying the flavor of dog food may help your dog enjoy his dog food a lot more. Get small packets of dog kibbles in different flavors and see if that helps your dogs appetite.

Some dogs might find some initial comfort if you were to offer the food by hand, especially for dogs that are apprehensive about any new objects or strangers.

Train Your Dog to Not Beg for Food

Your dog might have been eating a lot of human food because he begs every time you are having your own meal and you cave in towards his demands. This might not happen overnight but you will need to teach your dog to stop begging for human food.

There are a couple of ways to do this. For example, you might need to teach your dog the stay command so that he stays in a designated spot (well away from the dining table) while you are having your meal. Whatever training method you employ, do not ever yell or hit your dog. Positive reinforcement training is the best way to educate your dogs the right behavior.

If none of the above methods work and your dog continues to resist after a few days then this might potentially indicate there is something else thats discouraging your dog from eating. We would suggest visiting the vet as soon as possible to confirm there is no underlying health conditions thats affecting your dogs diet.

Disclaimer: The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a veterinarian when in doubt.

Your Dog Is Obsessed With Human Food? Heres What to Do About It

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Its hard to resist those big, puppy eyes begging for food while you eat. You might find it cute at first, but dropping too many of those morsels can make your dog a picky eater. This obsession with human food can even go up to the point where your pet refuses to eat any other food.

If your dog becomes obsessed with human food, you must not give her any more of it. Stop giving any human treats or table scraps. Also, dog food is often bland, so you need to help her transition back to her food by adding some flavor to it. You should also train her to stop begging at the table.

Its also essential to understand the root of her behavior to prevent it from happening again in the future. So in this article, well discuss everything you need to know about dogs and human food.

Is It Okay for Dogs to Eat Human Food?

Lets start with the most fundamental question in this regard: is it safe for dogs to eat human food? The answer is: yes and no.

You see, before commercial dog food entered the market, pet dogs had been living off human scrapes for centuries. It all began when a bunch of curious but non-aggressive wolves approached a group of people and made cute faces at them.

Many dog foods and treats are recalled every year, so people cant be 100% sure whether the food in their pets bowl provides the best nutrition. As a result, more and more pet owners are starting to cook at home and give their dogs raw foods. Their intentions are pureto keep their beautiful pets healthy and happybut are table scraps really good for dogs?

The good news is that many healthy foods for humans are also suitable for dogs, with the keyword being many. Some foods are healthy for us but can be harmfulor even deadlyfor our four-legged friends. And junk food is bad for humans and dogs alike, so dont even think about throwing fries toward your dog.

Human Foods That Dogs Can and Cant Eat

Before you start giving your dog home-cooked or raw food, its essential to know what foods are safe and unsafe for your pet.

To get you started, here are ten common foods that dogs can eat without any problems:

Chicken
Yogurt
Eggs
Salmon
Oatmeal
Apple slices
Green beans
Rice
Spinach
Pumpkin

Just as there are healthy human foods for dogs, there are also foods that are harmful to our little friends and should never be given to them. They can cause all kinds of allergies, diseases, or even death.

These foods include:

Chocolate
Avocados
Caffeine
Onions
Soft drinks
Garlic
Grapes and raisins
Raw eggs or meat
Salt
Sugary food and drinks

This is just a short list to give you the idea that certain human foods are healthy for dogs, while others are dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

I recommend you do further research and learn if the foods you commonly eat are safe for your pet or not. This article on Healthline is a great place to start. And you can also find many dog food recipes on YouTube and social media.

Lastly, its best to consult your vet before making any changes to your pets diet. A vet will help you make the change gradually, monitor your dogs health, and get the right dietary balance.

Why Your Dog Is Obsessed With Human Food

So now you know that human food isnt necessarily bad for your pet. In fact, a lot of them are even healthy. But what if you started giving your dog home-cooked food, and now she doesnt even want to eat its regular dog food?

Firstly, not all dogs like human food; many are only interested in their own food. However, some dogs seem to like only human food. This can begin when theyre a pup or develop over time because their owners arent paying enough attention to whats happening.

But you need not worry; if your dog has become obsessed with your food, this behavior can be fixed. It demands discipline and attention not just from the dog, but from your entire family as well.

To resolve this issue, we first need to understand why it exists in the first place. Lets discuss some reasons why your dog may become obsessed with human food.

Medical Problems

The first and most important consideration is whether your dogs behavior has changed because of a medical issue. See a vet if your pet shows abnormal eating behavior or a change in her regular habits. Its possible that a medical problem has changed your pets dietary preferences and is causing her to refuse dog food.

Before you try to feed your dog the usual kibble again, its crucial to rule out medical issues. If, for some reason, you arent satisfied with your vets findings, dont hesitate to get a second opinion on the matter.

Once youre confident that your pet is in good shape, you can conclude that youre facing a behavioral issue. Lets understand how it may have come about and what you can do about it.

Giving Too Many Human Treats

Dogs, just like humans, are creatures of habit. They can grow accustomed to routines and develop habits much like us. If your dog likes something, and you give it to her repeatedly, she will soon form a habit and start expecting it.

Its dinner time, and your entire family is at the table. Youre all sharing stories of the day and having a good time. After a few moments, you notice your pet Chop sneaking in and sitting by the table, staring at your food. You, being the kind-hearted pet owner you are, give him some food off the table. Chops happy, youre happy, everyones happy.

The next day when youre having snacks, Chop gets some of that tasty stuff too. And then again, and again, and again. You get the idea.

Do it enough times, and Chop will figure out that he can score a treat or two whenever youre eating. All he has to do is come up and make sad faces or noises.

Chop begging for food when youre eating is a problem, and it can easily lead to him refusing to eat his own foodwhich is a bigger issue. Next thing you know, he has become a picky eater and throws tantrums when he doesnt get what he wants.

Human Food Tastes Better

The human treats can be addictive for dogs because their only other choice is bland kibble. Its understandable; if you had been eating the same food for years and someone offered you a juicy steak or chicken, you would undoubtedly take it.

Dogs are drawn to the smell of tasty food just like us (their sense of smell is even stronger). So, theyre naturally drawn to human food. But its up to us to teach them how to control and redirect their instinctive urges.

If your dog likes human food a lot, she may also begin to steal food off the counter or even open the refrigerator. People usually find counter surfing amusing, but its actually a very dangerous habit. What if the dog steals something poisonous (for her) or knocks over a boiling pan?

However, there is an effective solution to this problem. All you have to do is add some flavor to your pets meals (more on that in the next section). This wont take your pet off the table on its own, but itll help her transition back to her regular diet since shell find it more interesting then.

Your Dog Has Trained You

It sounds strange, doesnt it? Were the ones who train our dogs, not the other way around. But as it turns out, dogs are very good at training people to get what they want. Dogs know well pet them when they nudge us, give them treats when they whine, and take them out when they bark.

Dogs, like children, can understand that if they do X (beg, jump, stare), their owner will do Y (drop food, give a treat, etc.). So once your pet has tasted (and liked) the food off your table, shell start to beg for food when youre eating, cooking, or having snacks.

Shell do anything in her power to grab your attention and get you to drop some food for her. The more you share with her, the more she will understand that begging will get her tasty bites at certain times.

Sometimes, it can be challenging to break this bad habit, but its possible if youre determined.

Weve already discussed this phenomenon, but I wanted to come at it from your pets angle so that you know what goes on in her head.

How to Solve the Problem

As weve said, there are good human foods for your pet, and there are bad human foods for your pet. Unless you exactly know what youre feeding the dog and how it affects her, habituating her to your food may not be a good idea.

You also shouldnt give your dog human food without the vets advice or knowledge of the pets needs. You may not know that your dog is allergic to certain things, and it can give rise to unwanted behavior and/or diseases.

Thankfully, your dogs obsession with human food can be corrected; you just have to commit to it. As weve discussed, dogs are creatures of habit, and habits can be changed.

Lets look at a few things you can do to get your dog back to their everyday food.

Make Your Dogs Meals Tastier

Standard dog food is bland, and feeding the same kibble for years only makes it worse. So if you give your dog human treats regularly, shell almost always prefer fresh, juicy meals over the dry pet food.

It can be tough to force your dog to eat the same regular food again. However, that doesnt mean you have to replace or throw away the food youve been giving her. All you have to do is add some tasty flavors to your pets dry kibble.

The best way to do this is by adding a dog food topper. A dog food topper is a wet dog food that mixes into the regular kibble and adds different flavors and health benefits.

I recommend Stella & Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper. It contains 95% meat, bone, and organs, which make it nutrient-rich. The manufacturers guarantee that the proteins are grass-fed or wild-caught. This topper is filled with certified organic vegetables and fruits. Its also available in various flavors such as chicken, lamb, beef, duck, pork, and turkey. You can easily add it to any dry food or kibble.

Apart from that, most dog food brands offer different flavors. So you should keep changing the flavor to make things interesting for your pet.

Stop Giving People Food

Now that youve made your dogs food tastier, its time to teach her how to enjoy it. There are a couple of things you need to do consistently to break her habit of human food.

The first step is to stop giving her food off the table while youre eating. You need to quit feeding people food altogether, with no exceptions. Theres no weaning process here; just stop. You and your family taught the dog to eat human food by continually giving it to her. Now everyone in the family needs to take charge and stop providing it to her.

Instead, give your pet her usual dog food in a bowl. Since youve also added flavor to her dry kibble, shes more likely to eat it. But if she ignores it, wait for about an hour, then pick up the bowl, empty it, and put it back down.

She has missed this meal and will not get anything to eat until the next (most dog owners prefer to feed their dog 2-3 times a day). You may have already tried this method, and your pet probably decided to skip a meal or two. Then, you gave up and fed her what she wanted. Dont let it happen this time.

Depending on how stubborn your dog is, she may go up to a day or two without eating. Eventually, though, hunger will kick in, and shell happily eat whats available.

In the meantime, your dog may follow you around, beg, or whine. But you need to show some tough love and ignore her. Unless theres a severe medical condition, no dog will ever let itself starve. So she may throw tantrums, but its nothing to be worried about.

Ive seen kids who wont eat anything unless it contains something they like chocolate, cheese, ketchup, etc. Theyll happily skip a meal or two and walk around the house with a frown face. Of course, their parents love them and cant see them starving. So the kids are essentially preying on their parents guilt.

However, Ive heard of no kid who starved to death just because they didnt get any ketchup. So I wouldnt worry if my pet hasnt eaten for even up to three days. If she has no medical issues, its highly likely that shell come around and eat the available food. If it goes beyond three days, however, take her to a vet.

Keep Your Dog Away From the Table While You Eat

I understand that it can be tough to resist sharing food with your dog while she is staring at you the entire time you eat. Even if you get your dog to eat kibble again, she may continue to beg at the table during your mealtime.

The best thing you can do here is to prevent the problem from happening; if your dog is crate-trained, excellent! You can use that. But if thats not the case, you can use a baby gate to keep your dog from coming into the room while you eat. To keep her busy, you can also give her a chew bone or a toy.

When it comes to an indoor gate for your pet, you dont have to spend a lot of money for features you dont need. Thats why I recommend the Evenflo Tall Pressure Mount Wood Gate. Its a basic, affordable pet gate that will get the job done. Thanks to its pressure-mounted design and simple construction, you wont have any problems setting it up. Its made up of wood with a non-toxic finish and expands from 31 to 50 inches.

Now, if you want her to be in the same room but not sit right next to the table, try using a rope to confine her. Put a soft mat or bed next to a piece of heavy furniture, and before you begin to eat, guide your dog to her spot. Next, attach the ends of the leash to her collar and the furniture. Again, its a good idea to give her something rewarding like a stuffed KONG toy to keep her busy.

Feed Your Pet Before You Eat

Another way to prevent your pet from begging is to feed her before you eat. Right before you have your meal, feed her in a separate room from where you eat. By doing this, your pet will get too busy eating her own food to bother you while you enjoy your meal.

If that doesnt work, you should train your dog to go to her spot and stay there. In case you havent taught her the Stay command yet, its time to do so. It is a crucial skill thats useful in many situations such as this.

Once your pet starts responding to the Stay command, guide her to a soft bed or mat, and tell her to stay. Throw in a chew bone or KONG toy to keep her busy. This way, youll have a dog thats full and has no interest in disturbing you while you dine peacefully.

Ignore Your Dog While You Eat

This might be difficult, but if your dog keeps coming to the table and begs for scraps, you have to ignore her. The worst thing would be to give in that cute face and drop some food; itll defeat the whole purpose.

Also, yelling at your pet or scolding her doesnt work because it gives her negative attention. And any kind of reaction from you can convince her to keep begging and whining. If you have something exciting waiting for her at her spot (chews, food, etc.) and her begging is ignored, shell most likely go back and get busy with her toys.

Another thing you can do is to teach her to associate barking at the table with something negative. For example, you can attach a leash to her collar and let it drag on the floor. Then, the moment she barks or whines, grab the leash and confine her to a boring place. There should be no toys, people, or anything to chew around her.

After a minute or two, go back and release her. Repeat this process every time she begs for food while youre eating. Soon, shell learn that barking at the table leads to an unpleasant experience for her.

Should You Never Feed Her Human Food Now?

Its annoying when your dog begs at the table repeatedly. Plus, it means your pet lacks discipline and is likely to develop other bad habits as well. So you should certainly stop giving her food off the table while you eat. However, it isnt necessary to get her off human food altogether. Human food isnt a bad thing, depending on the reason why youre doing it.

If you feed your dog people food as a conscious choice, theres no reason to change it. Just make sure youve done your homework and know what foods you should give her. Consult your vet and ensure that her minimum dietary requirements are met. Also, keep the fat in check as too much of it can cause her to experience stomach upset.

On the other hand, if youre only feeding her home-cooked food because she wouldnt eat anything else, then thats a problem. Youre letting her manipulate you and dictate what you should feed her. Remember that now she has learned that youll always do what she wants you to do, as long as she keeps pushing it.

It might not sound nice, but dogs are actually quite selfish. Theyll do everything to get what they want. Your pet will test your limits, and it can cause serious issues down the road. Her current attitudes will only get more ingrained in her mind as she ages.

So its up to you whether you want to give your pet home-cooked food or not. You know how you got into this situation, and only you can decide which way itll be now.

Is Your Dog Acting Hungry All the Time?

Another related issue is that your dog may act hungry all the time. You might realize that even after giving her dog food, she still begs at the table and eats everything that comes in front of her.

To understand the root of this problem, check if your dog has any medical issues. As weve discussed, if your pets eating habits have changed suddenly, its possibly a sign of something. Conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or aging can cause your pet to want food all the time. So take her to a vet and rule out any medical problems.

Once you know your dog is physically healthy, you can conclude that the issue is psychological. Things like changing households or new members coming in could cause this behavior. If your pet notices a strange new person or dog moving in, it could trigger her anxiety and insecurity.

To solve this problem, find out how much food and nutrition your dog actually needs. See if youve been giving her the required amount and shes maintaining the ideal weight for her age. Keep in mind that senior dogs have different dietary requirements. Find out the essential dietary requirements of your pet from the vet.

If a new dog has arrived, make sure both pets eat in different bowls placed at a distance. Dont let either of them come close to the other ones bowl. If its a new person, let them feed your dog for the next few days.

Final Thoughts

It can be challenging to get your dog off human food once shes obsessed with it. If she refuses to eat her dry kibble and tries to force you to give people food, you need to take charge and not give in. Shell soon come around and start eating her usual food, which should now be tastier thanks to the topper and different flavors.

Now, its not necessary to only feed her dog food. Human food, if given carefully, can be healthy for dogs. But you need to take great care and know the foods that are safe for your four-legged friend. Make sure you talk to your vet before making any changes to your pets diet.

Sources

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