As dog owners, we all have experienced those moments when our dogs become overly excited at meal time. Whether they’re jumping around, barking, or wagging their tail uncontrollably, a certain level of enthusiasm for food is expected. However, if your dog doesn’t share the same excitement, that’s okay too.
Why Dogs Get Excited at Meal Time
For some dogs, meal times trigger a rush of excitement. But why does this happen?
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Biology: When dogs chew, lick, and sniff, their brains release endorphins that make them feel happy and excited. It's a similar effect that humans experience when doing activities that make us feel good.
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Routine: Dogs, being pack animals, thrive on consistency. When fed at regular intervals, they begin to anticipate meal time, triggering excitement and enthusiasm.
What If My Dog Doesn't Get Excited?
While some dogs are naturally eager for food, others are more laid-back. This could simply be their personality or a sign of age. Older dogs often show less excitement during meal times.
As long as your dog is eating all of their food and staying healthy, whether or not they show excitement at meal time is not a cause for concern. It’s essential that your dog is maintaining good health, regardless of the enthusiasm they display at meal time.
Managing Excessive Excitement
While excitement at meal time is normal, excessive excitement can become problematic. If your dog is overly impulsive, there are ways to manage it.
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Training Commands: One of the best ways to manage meal time excitement is by training your dog to associate eating with commands. Teaching your dog commands like "sit" and "wait" can help them exercise some self-control before being fed. Training them this way also reinforces obedience.
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Stay Calm and Assertive: It’s important to stay calm and assertive during training. Be patient with your dog as it may take time for them to learn to manage their excitement.
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Mix Up Meal Times and Locations: To reduce anticipation, try feeding your dog at different times and in various locations. Changing things up can help minimize the excitement before meal times.
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Puzzle Toys: Use puzzle toys that require your dog to work for their food. This can help redirect their focus from impulsiveness to mental stimulation while still earning their meal.
Feeding Your Dog the Right Food
No matter how excited your dog gets at meal time, ensuring that they’re eating healthy food is the top priority. Nextrition cold-pressed dog food is an excellent choice, made with natural ingredients to support your dog’s health. Whether your dog is excited or laid-back, they’ll enjoy the flavor and nutritional benefits of our carefully crafted recipes. Browse our beef, chicken, lamb and salmon or try a sample of our cold-pressed food now.
