My new dog won't eat his food, only begs for human food. What to do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Male | unneutered | 7 months and 11 days old
I bought him 3 days ago and he seems to only like human food whenever I'm eating he'Kk start begging for my food he doesn't like dog food that much I've tried dry food caned food I've tried mixing wet and dry if I fill his bowl with dog food btw his bowl is tiny by the end of the day only half of it is eaten so he isn't getting that much food what should I do I don't want to give him human food his bowl is tiny and he only eats half of it a day I leave the bowl In the kitchen so he can snack
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 12th, 2017
Congrats on your new dog, but I'm sorry Marley is causing you some problems! It sounds like he is being difficult about eating, and you need to be tough with him. Good on you for recognizing that he shouldn't have human food and not giving it to him. You need to start him on a feeding schedule. Put down his food in the morning for 15-20 minutes, then take it away until his next feeding time. It's very important that he gets no other food during this time. No treats or human food. At dinner time, again put his food down and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Take it away after that time even if he hasn't eaten. The goal of this is to teach him that he needs to eat when he's given food. He will learn to do this once he gets hungry. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 30th, 2017
Great question! You are going to have to get tough with Rusty. In the morning, put his food down for 15-20 minutes. Do not add anything else into it. Once that time has passed, pick up the food and do not give him anything else until his next feeding time. This is very important, he should not get any treats or human food. At dinner time, again put his food down for 15-20 minutes and take it away even if he hasn't eaten all of it. He needs to learn that he has to eat his dog food when it's given to him and he doesn't get anything else until his next feeding time. He may be resistant to it at first, but he will get hungry enough to eat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on April 15th, 2018
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lucky. Start by placing his food down at the morning meal time. Allow him 15 minutes to eat and then take the bowl up. Offer him his evening meal at night. Again, allow him 15 minutes to eat. He will soon learn that if he wants to eat, he will need to do so during these time frames. Do not use human food to entice him to eat or he will prefer it. He needs to eat dog food as it is balanced for his nutritional needs. You can add warm water to the dry kibble or mix canned food in as well. As far as training, start with basic commands and be consistent with him. You can use pieces of kibble as training treats. You may try a training class as well. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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