It's no secret that dogs love to eat. Their sometimes comical, sometimes puzzling and other times downright alarming food-related habits often can cause owners much angst. Understanding the difference between normal and problematic canine eating behavior can help determine when to let Fido be Fido and when to call a professional for assistance.
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Wolfing Down Food
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If you set a dish of desirable chow in front of him, a dog will likely engulf it in a matter of seconds without chewing. While it may seem like poor table manners to humans, dogs are evolved to eat quickly because their pre-domesticated ancestors could survive only by devouring prey before another dog or scavenger animal swiped it from them. Chewing is not only unnecessary because dogs' digestion begins in the stomach rather than mouth, it is also anatomically difficult. As carnivores, dogs' teeth are designed for biting, shredding, ripping and crushing.
Overeating
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Because most dogs do not self-regulate the amount of food they consume for energy needs, they tend to eat whatever is available to them---and even beg for what is not offered. While breed traits and medical issues may play a role in a dog's weight gain, her diet is a variable that must be monitored by her human owner. The owner should be attentive to all of the dog's sources of calories, including regular food, treats and table scraps.
Eating Non-Food Items (Pica)
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Problems can arise when what Fido deems edible isn't edible. Known as pica, the compulsion to gnash items not typically considered food, such as rocks, plastic containers and wooden objects, can be dangerous to a dog as well as a nuisance to his owner. The puppy instinct to devour non-food objects should wane in most dogs by the time they reach 6 months in age. If it lingers and is not associated with a medical condition, special training---preferably from a certified applied animal or veterinary behaviorist---is required to overturn the behavior.
Eating Poop (Coprophagia)
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Dogs' tendency to consume feces---their own, another dog's or another species'---is attributed to a number of causes, including maternal instincts, puppy instincts, normal animal behavior, other unknown factors and medical issues. As long as medical issues have been ruled out, this behavior, though disgusting to humans, is often normal for dogs.
Finicky Eating
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Although many dogs eagerly swallow anything, food or not, some dogs are extremely selective about their diets. If a dog has always exhibited such fussiness, then the need for concern is small, and the owner must identify acceptable foods with patience. If a dog suddenly becomes disinterested in foods she normally enjoys, however, it may be a symptom of an underlying medical issue and a trip to the veterinarian is necessary.
Displaying Food Aggression
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Mealtime glares, growls or nips at the feeder's hand are a sign that food excitement has turned to food aggression. A dog's innate pack instincts can lead him to overestimate his place, especially when humans unknowingly exhibit behaviors that to a dog are deemed submissive---such as allowing the leader to eat alone. If this occurs, the feeding ritual must be altered so that the dog sees the owner as a provider of rewards rather than a potential threat.
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