Why Does My Dog Only Eat At Night?

Medically Reviewed By Pet Expert

Dogs are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are usually much more active at night than during the day.

This is because their senses are tuned to hunt and forage primarily at night when it’s darker, and there’s less risk of them being seen by potential predators.

Many dog owners say that their dogs only eat at night, which can seem strange since your dog is awake and hungry during the day too. When it comes to food, dogs are what experts call “opportunistic feeders.”

This means they tend to eat whatever is most accessible and readily available at any given time.

Your dog might also have an upset stomach from something he ate earlier in the day, or he could respond to changes in his circadian rhythm caused by changes in light exposure or noise levels in your household.

Why Does My Dog Only Eat at Night?

While it might seem like your dog is eating at random times throughout the day, there could be a logical reason why he’s only eating at night.

Why Does My Dog Only Eat at Night?

Some dogs are susceptible to light, so if there’s a lot of light in your house during the day, this could be why he’s only eating at night.

More likely, though, is that your dog is prompted by his circadian rhythm.

7 Reasons Your Dog Might Only Eat at Night
If your dog only eats at night, there could be several reasons for this. Your dog may be:
Hungry
When your dog is hungry, he’ll eat whatever is easiest to get, and many dogs will only eat food left out for them at night. This is because humans usually put their dog’s food away during the day, so your dog might only be able to access the food left out at night when no one is around to stop him.
Sick
If your dog has an upset stomach, he might only eat at night because it hurts to eat when his stomach is upset. This is more likely to happen if your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t have, like table scraps or something spoiled.
Tired
If your dog has been running around all day, he might be too tired to eat during the day. Even if he’s hungry, he might not have the energy to go out and look for food, which is why many dogs only eat when they’re tired at night.
Noisy
If your house is unusually loud during the day, your dog might eat only at night when the house is quiet and can eat in peace.
Inactive
If your dog is very young or elderly, he might be less active during the day. This can prompt him to eat only at night when he’s less likely to be disturbed by other people and pets moving around in the house.
Changes in light
Dogs are susceptible to light, so even small changes in the amount of light in your house can prompt changes in your dog’s eating habits.
Changes in noise
Similarly, even small changes in noise can prompt your dog to eat only at night when he can find quiet.

Tips For Dogs That Only Eat At Night

If your dog only eats at night, you might want to try to change his eating habits. You can do a some things to help your dog eat more evenly throughout the day.

Tips For Dogs That Only Eat At Night

First, you can put his food where he can’t get to it at night, such as in a cabinet.

You can also try feeding him a little earlier in the day, but always be sure to feed him at the exact times every day.

If your dog has a health condition, such as gastric issues or a metabolic problem, he might only eat at night because his body needs energy. In this case, your dog’s eating habits are not a choice, and you should consult your veterinarian about how to best help your dog.

How To Stop Dogs From Eating At Night?

If your dog only eats at night and you want to stop him from doing this, there are a few things you can do. You can try feeding him more at midday, but don’t feed him too much.

How To Stop Dogs From Eating At Night?

You should feed your dog a similar amount of food at midday as you do at night. You can also try changing the way you feed your dog at night.

If you feed your dog just before you go to bed, you might want to change this up and feed him a bit earlier in the evening so that it doesn’t get so dark for him.

You can also try changing the way you feed your dog at night. If your dog typically eats out of a bowl, you might want to try feeding him through a puzzle feeder or putting his food in a toy so that he has to work a little harder to eat.

Essential Factors In Dog Eating Habits

As you’ve read above, several factors could be causing your dog to eat only at night. However, there are some essentials you need to keep in mind.

Essential Factors In Dog Eating Habits

First, you must ensure your dog gets enough nutrients and energy through his diet. If your dog eats only at night, he needs to take in more energy than usual since he’s not eating during the day.

There are many different ways to do this. For example, you can choose a high-protein dog food or feed your dog treats. You can also give your special dog supplements such as vitamins or minerals.

Another essential thing to remember is that dogs need enough water and other fluids. Therefore, you must ensure your dog drinks enough water throughout the day and at night. One tip is to feed your dog in a bowl with a water source, so he is also drinking water while eating.

Is It Ok For My Dog To Only Eat At Night?

As you have read above, there are many reasons why dogs only eat at night. However, it’s best to talk to your veterinarian if your dog’s eating habits are irregular.

Is It Ok For My Dog To Only Eat At Night

In most cases especially if your dog is a puppy or young adult – eating habits are irregular, and there are no health concerns.

Your veterinarian can help you identify if there are any underlying causes of your dog’s eating habits. There are some exceptions, though.

If your dog is an older adult, if he is overweight, or if he has certain diseases, eating habits can be irregular. If this is the case, it’s best to talk to your veterinarian.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that any significant change in your dog’s eating habits can be a sign of a health problem.

If you notice that your dog is only eating bees at night, contact your veterinarian to discuss the issue. If your dog’s eating habits are irregular,

keep an eye out for other behavioural changes. ↗This is an excellent way to catch health issues early on and get your dog the help he needs.

FAQS

Is it unusual for my dog to only eat at night?

It is not particularly unusual for a dog to only eat at night. Many dogs are more active during the evening and may prefer to eat. Additionally, some dogs may be more prone to digestive issues if they eat during the daytime, so they may prefer to eat at night when their stomach is less complete. If you are concerned about your dog’s eating habits, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that they are getting the proper nutrition.

Tell me the best way to deal with it?

If you’re finding that your dog is only eating at night, there are a few things you can do to try and change their behavior. First, ensure their food bowl is always packed during the day. If they’re only eating at night because they’re hungry, then this will help solve the problem. You can also try feeding them smaller meals more often throughout the day instead of one large meal at night. Finally, ensure you take them on a walk or play with them before feeding them their evening meal. This will help them burn off any excess energy and be more likely to want to eat their food instead of playing with it.

Is it OK if my dog only eats once a day?

It is generally recommended that dogs be fed at least twice a day, so if your dog is only eating once a day, it may not get all the nutrients it needs. However, some dogs do fine with only one meal daily, so it depends on the individual dog. It is probably fine if your dog is happy and healthy on a once-a-day feeding schedule. But if you notice your dog starting to lose weight or seems lazy, you should talk to your vet about increasing the frequency of meals.

Why does my dog wait all day to eat?

There can be a causes why your dog may wait until later in the day to eat. Maybe they are trying to save their food for a special occasion, or they are not that hungry during the day. It is essential to ensure that your dog is getting enough food and nutrition, so if you are concerned about their eating habits, please consult a veterinarian.

Why do dogs choose to eat at night?

There are reasons why dogs might prefer to eat at night. For one, they may be more active during the evening hours, thus have a higher metabolism and need more calories. Also, night-time feedings can help keep their energy levels up when they need to be looking for predators. And finally, since there are typically fewer people around at night, dogs may feel more comfortable eating since they won’t have to worry about being disturbed.

Why won’t my dog eat in the morning but eats at night?

There are several reasons your dog might not be eating in the morning but is fine at night. It could be an issue with the food itself, or there could be something going on with your dog’s digestive system that is causing them not to be able to eat in the morning. If your dog is usually a good eater and suddenly stops eating in the morning, it’s best to take them to the vet to rule out any medical issues.

Can dogs eat before bedtime?

If your dog only eats at night, you might wonder whether you can feed him before bedtime. In most cases, it’s OK to do this, but giving your dog a small snack in the late afternoon or early evening is better. This can help keep your dog active and energetic until bedtime. It’s also a good idea to feed your dog before bedtime if he has an upset stomach and can’t eat.

Amy Brown
Amy E. Brown is a licensed psychotherapist (serving and author of three self-help books. She’s also a dog rescuer in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Her life-long love of literature and writing developed from her passion for author Jackie Collins novels. She discovered at the age of 12 that she wanted to become a published author. She is a Quora contributor who writes about mental health and addiction issues in both the United States and throughout the world. She is the owner and founder of Blamberg & Associates LLC, which is a private practice specializing in psychological and addiction issues. She has been working with physically and emotionally scarred people for over 30 years.