4 Reasons Your Dog May Be Carrying Their Food Away
Some dogs, particularly those in multi-dog households, may carry their food away as a way to keep it to themselves.
Before dogs were domesticated, they often ran in packs. The more subordinate pack members would carry food away to hide it from other members of the pack.
“When dogs in the wild make a kill, the outranked animals drag pieces of food away so they don’t have to fight the leader or a more dominant canine for it,” says Dr. Julie Albright-Keck, DVM, DACVB, assistant professor of veterinary behavior at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dogs aren’t looking to start a fight — that would be dangerous. So trying to put the food out of sight is a compromise between giving up their food and fighting for it.
“Rather than stay in the pack and fight for what is theirs, they will snag a piece or two and run away with it,” explains writer Langley Cornwell.
“This means they get to eat without the risk of a fight. It also ensures they get some of it without another dog trying to take it away.”
If you have more multiple dogs, try feeding them separately to see if that helps.
In single-dog households, it may be easier to use a crate or block the exits to the room so your dog can’t carry food elsewhere.
Your Dog Doesn’t Want to Eat Alone
Dogs feel loneliness just like people do.
If you’re in another room and your dog is alone in the kitchen, they may carry their food to where you are to eat it.
“Dogs naturally long for companionship, so he may just want to see you or be near you while he eats,” says Cornwell.
Dogs are family members but often don’t eat with the family. Carrying the food to where you are could be a sign that your pet simply wants to be part of the family dynamic.
As a pet sitter, I’ve seen this behavior firsthand.
One of my clients simply will not eat if she’s all alone in the room. When I sit for her, I usually set up my laptop nearby or even bring her food bowl outside so we can enjoy the sunshine together.
I’ll sit or stand nearby while she eats. This makes her happy, and she eats right from the bowl every time.
How to Put the Kibosh on This Kibble Ritual
If you want to curb this unusual eating behavior, Dr. Albright suggests swapping metal bowls for plastic versions or paper plates to rule out issues with noise.
“If the dog still takes the food away, find a more secluded or confined area for him to eat,” she says. “And if there are other dogs in the house, separate them at feeding time to allow for privacy, so there’s no threat of competition — either real or imagined.”
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Why does my dog take food out of their bowl to eat it?
Dogs are weird. I love having both Matilda and Cow because between them, they have so many fun quirks. But it was actually my childhood dog who would sometimes carry kibble in his mouth, run over to the rug, and eat them one by one.
I’ve noticed in many of my dog related groups on Facebook that this is a very common habit. How mysterious – why would dogs do this?
I have some theories, and some possible solutions in case you would like your dog to stop getting food residue on the floor.