should my dog's food bowl be elevated

In the time of living with dogs, we often encounter some funny scenes, among which it is quite common for dogs to walk around with food bowls in their mouths. Watching the cute and silly dog holding a bowl, following behind you, or pacing around the room, there are actually many interesting and worth exploring reasons behind this behavior. By delving deeper into these reasons, we can not only better understand the behavior patterns of dogs, but also enhance the deep emotional connection between us and dogs.

Hunger and thirst for food are one of the most intuitive reasons why dogs carry their food bowls around. Dogs have a relatively simple digestive system and a fast metabolism, which often makes them more prone to hunger. Especially for puppies with high levels of exercise, in the growth and development stage, or breeds with already large food intake, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, etc., their demand for food is more urgent. When dogs feel that they haven't eaten enough or that there is still some time before the next feeding time, and they find it difficult to suppress their craving for food, they may pick up the bowl and try to remind their owners, "I'm still hungry, give me some more food!" They may think that as long as they bring the bowl to their owners, they can understand their intentions and give them more food. Just as humans involuntarily go to the kitchen to search for food when hungry, dogs express their most basic physiological needs through the act of holding a bowl.

In the world of dogs, a food bowl is not just a container for holding food, but also their "exclusive property". Dogs have a strong sense of territory and possessiveness, and for them, the items they use, especially the food bowl that is closely related to food, have special significance. When a dog walks around with a food bowl in its mouth, it may be declaring to the surrounding environment and other animals, "This food bowl is mine, and the food inside is also mine!" This behavior is particularly common in multi pet families. In order to ensure that their food resources are not taken away by other companions, dogs will emphasize their ownership of the food by holding the bowl. Even in the absence of competition from other pets, dogs will cherish their food bowl due to their instinctive possessiveness, just like guarding their most precious treasure.

The behavior of dogs holding food bowls may also be a way to seek attention and interaction. Dogs are social animals that crave to establish intimate relationships with their owners and constantly seek their care and companionship. When they come to their owner with a bowl in their mouth, it may not necessarily be solely for the sake of food, but rather to attract their owner's attention, receive their touch, hug, or a few gentle words. In the cognition of dogs, every time they appear with a food bowl in their mouth, the owner often gives them a certain response, whether it is adding food or interacting with them, and this positive feedback reinforces their behavior.

Some dogs walk around with food bowls in their mouths, possibly because they are in the period of tooth replacement. When puppies are 3 to 6 months old, they will undergo a process of tooth replacement, during which their teeth will feel itchy and uncomfortable. To alleviate this discomfort, dogs instinctively search for something to bite on, and the food bowl becomes one of their targets. Chewing on a food bowl not only satisfies their need to grind their teeth, but also brings them a certain sense of pleasure due to the residual food odor on the bowl. At this stage, dogs may frequently hold food bowls in their mouths, and may even experience damage to the bowls due to biting. As owners, we need to understand the behavior of dogs and provide them with some specialized grinding toys to help them smoothly pass the tooth replacement period, while also protecting the food bowl from excessive damage.

The behavior of some dogs carrying bowls may also be related to their personality and habits. Every dog has its own unique personality traits, and some dogs are naturally lively and active, enjoying exploration and play. Walking around with a bowl in their mouth is like a fun game for them. They enjoy the process of running and jumping with their food bowls in their mouths, finding it a fun filled activity. However, some dogs may have developed the habit of holding a bowl when they were young, and once this habit is formed, it is difficult to easily change. Even if they no longer feel hungry, they will habitually pick up their food bowls and wander around the room, just like some of us have specific habitual movements.

In addition, some health issues of dogs may also lead to abnormal behavior of holding food bowls. For example, when dogs suffer from oral diseases such as periodontitis, oral ulcers, etc., they may alleviate the pain and discomfort in their mouth by holding a food bowl. Because during the process of holding a food bowl, the dog's mouth and teeth will make certain movements, which may cause some stimulation to the mouth and alleviate pain to some extent. If we find that dogs suddenly frequently pick up food bowls, accompanied by symptoms such as drooling, bad breath, and loss of appetite, we need to take them to a veterinarian in a timely manner to check for oral or other health problems.

When we see dogs walking around with food bowls in their mouths, don't just think it's an interesting phenomenon, but observe and analyze the information conveyed behind their behavior with care. Whether it's due to hunger, possessiveness, seeking attention, or other reasons, every time a dog engages in this behavior, it's a way for them to communicate with us. We should respond to dogs with an understanding and caring attitude, meet their reasonable needs, and provide them with sufficient attention and companionship.