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My dog won't eat dog food after eating human food. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 21 lbs

My dog was fed human food since he was a puppy. He is now 3. I bought dog food for him and he seems to like it, but he only eats about 4 kebbles and stops. I leave the food out for him but he won’t eat it. I tried mixing in white chicken but he picks out the chicken and leaves the rest. I don’t want to feed him anymore human food but I don’t want to starve him. What should I do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 13th, 2018

You will have to get his gastrointestinal tract used to the new food. The best way to do this is get some good quality canned food and start mixing it into his "normal" human food. Every day replace more of the human food with dog food. Feed him small portions and make sure he is hungry when you feed him. This should work and by the end of about 10 days he should eat all dog food. There is no problem if he does not eat his food for a day or two.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 2nd, 2017

    Be tough and hold out. He is spoiled to human food now. you will have to start by mixing human food with canned food and gradually decrease the amount of human food added. Then you can try to add dry food in small amounts until he gets used to it. You can also try low fat yogurt and chicken broth for more flavor and treats as this is safe and not unhealthy for dogs.

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