I’ve noticed that every time I give Sonny something delicious, he always has this habit of picking it up with his mouth and carrying it to his favorite mat. He’ll do a little happy dance before settling down to enjoy the food in peace. After a few times, I stopped putting treats in his bowl and just hand-fed him instead, letting him carry it to his spot to enjoy. Anyone who’s had a dog probably has experienced this: when you feed your dog, it often picks up the food and moves it out of the bowl. But do you know what might be behind this behavior?
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Instinctual Food Guarding
Dogs’ ancestors had to protect their food from being stolen by others in the wild, and this instinct has been passed down to domesticated dogs. Even in a home environment today, dogs may still pick up their food and carry it away if they fear it might be “taken” by other pets or humans. If you approach their food, and they show their teeth or growl, that’s them guarding their food. This behavior needs to be corrected.
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Hiding Food
Some dogs may have been strays in the past, constantly unsure of where their next meal would come from, and going hungry was a frequent occurrence. Even though they have a home now, the fear of going hungry is deeply ingrained in them. So, whenever they get food, they tend to hide some of it for later. If your dog does this, it’s important to set regular meal times to provide a sense of security.
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Inappropriate or Smelly Food Bowl
Sometimes the food bowl itself could be the problem. If the bowl is too deep or too small, it can make eating uncomfortable, especially for breeds with short noses that need a shallow bowl. Additionally, if the bowl isn’t thoroughly cleaned, leftover cleaning product residues might leave an unpleasant smell. Since dogs have highly sensitive noses, they can be very sensitive to such odors.
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Seeking Attention or Interaction
Some dogs, especially those who feel lonely, may pick up their food and carry it out of the bowl to get attention from their owners. They might want more interaction or playtime. In this case, owners can help by offering more companionship or using commands to break this habit.
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Health Issues
If a dog has tooth pain, mouth issues, or digestive discomfort, it may avoid chewing in the bowl and instead pick up the food to eat in a more comfortable position. If you notice this behavior, it’s a good idea to check for any potential health problems and consult a vet.
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Picky Eating
When food includes both meat and vegetables, dogs may pick out what they don’t like and leave the rest. This is common in picky eaters, who prefer specific tastes or textures and will only eat what they enjoy.
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Enjoying Their Meal
Just like humans enjoy food while watching their favorite shows, dogs like to have a comfortable position or spot to slowly savor their meal. For a while, I would add chicken breast or egg yolk, along with some vegetables, to Sonny’s kibble to encourage him to eat more. I thought adding all these delicious ingredients would make him eat it all! While he focused on his meal, we would go about our business without interrupting him. But when I occasionally checked on his progress, I was shocked to find kibble scattered all over the floor. At first, I thought it was because Sonny was eating so quickly, some kibble must have fallen out. Later, I realized that the only thing falling out was the kibble! Sonny was actually picking out the tasty bits, leaving the kibble behind. To break this habit, I started giving him meat and veggies for lunch, while kibble became his dinner, given around 8 PM when we returned from our walk. He’s been much better about it now.
Sonny picks up his food simply because he’s a picky eater. What about your dog? What reasons might your dog have for carrying food out of the bowl?
