Why Does My Dog Only Eat at Night? Common Reasons Explained!

So, I've got this dog, a lovely golden retriever named Buddy. For the longest time, he'd only eat his food at night. Like, wouldn't touch it all day, then suddenly, around 9 PM, he'd gobble it all down. It was weird, and I was starting to get a little worried.

My First Steps & Observations

First thing I did was, you know, the usual Google search. "Dog only eats at night," "Why is my dog a nocturnal eater?" – stuff like that. I saw a bunch of things, some said it was medical, others said it was behavioral. I felt lost honestly.

I observed Buddy closely. I watched him during the day. Was he getting into other food? Nope. Was he lethargic? Nope, still bouncing around like a puppy. Was he drinking water normally? Yep. I really tried to find something that was 'off' about him, and I wasn't seeing anything obvious.

Changing Things Up

So, after the observing and getting nowhere, I decided to start changing things. Tiny things, one at a time, to see if anything would make a difference.

• Different Food: First, I switched his food. Maybe he just didn't like the kibble I was giving him. I bought a different brand, same flavor profile, just...different. No change. Still only eating at night.
• Feeding Schedule: Then, I messed with his feeding schedule. I tried feeding him earlier, later, smaller meals throughout the day... nothing. He'd sniff at the bowl, maybe lick it once, and walk away.
• Food Location: I even moved his food bowl to a different spot in the house! Thought maybe he didn't like eating in the kitchen. Nope. Still a nighttime-only eater.

The Vet Visit

After all that, I figured it was time for the vet. I booked an appointment, feeling a little silly because Buddy seemed perfectly healthy otherwise. The vet did a full checkup – bloodwork, the whole nine yards. And guess what? Everything came back normal. Perfectly healthy dog.

The vet asked me a bunch of questions about Buddy's routine, his environment, any changes at home. And that's when it hit me. I had recently started working from home, and my schedule was all over the place. I was often working late into the night, and Buddy would hang out with me in my office.

The "Aha!" Moment

It turns out, Buddy was probably just eating at night because that's when I was most relaxed and spending time with him! He associated that time of day with being close to me, feeling secure, and, well, eating. It was a comfort thing! He simply preferred the company!

The Solution (Finally!)

So, the solution was surprisingly simple. I started taking more breaks during the day to play with Buddy, give him attention, and generally just be more present. I also made a point of being near him when he ate, even if it was just sitting on the floor next to his bowl. I just added my presence to the equation.

And it worked! Slowly but surely, Buddy started eating more during the day. He still has a bigger meal at night, but he's now a much more "normal" eater. It was all about routine, security, and knowing I was there for him. Who knew dogs could be so sensitive? It turns out, they just want our company.