Why Does My Dog Push His Food With His Nose?

Being a pet owner, you know that mealtime tends to be the highlight of your dog's day. However, occasionally, the delightful sound of your dog eagerly devouring its food is overshadowed by the clatter of the bowl being pushed across the floor.

You may have observed your dog using its nose to nudge its dog food around, which seems puzzling. Rest assured, this is a common practice among certain dogs, and there's typically no cause for alarm as long as they are eating.

As you most likely already know, dog noses are super sensory. Compared with humans, dogs have about 294 million more olfactory receptors in their noses. Plus, they have 40 times more space reserved in their brain for interpreting and remembering scents.

The 9 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Pushes Its Food With Its Nose

Sometimes, your dog enjoys playing with its dinner, but the behavior can have a purpose. If your dog is a picky eater, seeking attention, curious, or bored, it may push his food with their nose. It could be due to an issue with the food bowl, vision difficulties, or dental problems. Also, they might be more curious in the food you’re eating.

1. Stashing

Some canines are stashers and will hide their food for later; this conduct comes from their predecessors. Your dog could be moving its bowl around to hide some kibble beneath the dish or spilling it out to move it to another location. If your dog noses its food and leaves some in the bowl, watch to see if they return later to eat it.

2. Curiosity

Your dog may just be curious. You may have witnessed this behavior before when your dog finds interest in unexpected things. If you have modified your dog’s meal, your pet’s sense of smell will make them interested in what’s in the bowl, and they will use their nose to investigate.

3. Boredom

A lack of stimulation often causes your dog’s boredom. If your pet hasn’t indulged in regular daily activities, like walking and playing, it may be nudging its food to have fun. We understand that life can get hectic, but if you can take your dog out for a short walk or a few throws of its favorite ball, it may not pick its bowl as a play toy.

4. Attention

Your dog may be in search of attention. They may want you to notice them, and nudging their bowl grabs your attention. The attention you give them reinforces their behavior. Do not respond if you suspect your dog is seeking attention to prevent reinforcing and turning the behavior into a habit.

5. Food bowl

The shape of the bowl could make it challenging to eat out of, and if you have just bought a new bowl for your pet, it could be the wrong shape or size, or maybe your dog is growing faster than you realized!

6. They Don’t Feel Like Eating

If your dog has been snacking during the day or has found some table scraps, they may not be hungry.

7. Breed-specific Traits

Over time, dogs have been bred to push their food around to find hidden threats or prey. If your dog is a hunter, they may carry the scavenging traits and nudge their food to see more of it.

8. Vision problems

If your dog is experiencing visual impairment, it could be the reason for pushing their food. If your companion is getting on with life, old age could cause vision loss. An injury near their eye may also be a reason they cannot see correctly. If your pup is blinking rapidly or they are pawing at it, it could indicate an injury.

If you suspect vision problems with your dog, it is best to consult your vet immediately.

9. Dental problems

Dental issues could be another reason for nosing the food, which requires a little more attention. Your dog’s mouth could be in pain while it eats. Although hungry, they are too sore to eat, so they sniff the food. To prevent dental issues, brush your dog’s teeth using canine toothpaste, add a dental powder to your dog’s meals, try a dental water additive, or speak to your vet about prescription dental food.

Key Takeaways

Dogs use their noses for numerous things throughout the day!

While using their food around might seem strange, it’s pretty standard. Your dog may follow their instincts and try to cache away food. They could be playing or feeling picky.

Sometimes, your canine might suffer from dental pain or vision loss. In that case, you’ll want to visit the vet. Otherwise, you can enjoy watching your pet do their weird thing!

FAQs

Why does my dog use their nose to push his food bowl around?

There are several reasons your dog may push their food bowl around. One possible reason is that your dog wants to save food for later and is nudging it using their nose to push around their food. Another reason could be that your dog is trying to position their food before eating. It could also indicate that your dog is experiencing vision problems.

Is it normal for dogs to push their food with his nose?

Yes, it is a common behavior for domesticated dogs to push their food around with their nose. There are reasons why your dog pushes food with its nose, such as wanting to save food for later or to position their food before eating.

What should I do if my dog pushes his food bowl away?

If your dog is pushing their food bowl away, it could be a sign of a potential issue. Consult with a dog owner or a veterinarian to address any underlying concerns or health-related reasons for this behavior.

Can dogs nudge their food around with their nose for a specific reason?

Yes, your dog may nudge their food around with their nose for various reasons. They might do so to save food for later,