Question:
I have a wonderful, loving 11-year-old Black lab. She has very few bad habits, but this one has me stumped. When I put her food down, she will eat a little then rub her nose against the floor toward the dish. It is almost as if she is trying to cover it. She continues to eat, but will stop and perform this ritual until she finishes. Any ideas as to what she is doing?
D.H., Clemmons, NC Dec 26, 2004
Answer:
Dogs behave the way you describe when they want to cover their food -- which, if they were eating outdoors, would soon be covered with nose-pushed soil and vegetation. Maybe your dog does not like the smell of the food, or is not very hungry. You may want to gradually put her on a different diet (I have made a basic home-cooked dog food recipe). You should also consider the possibility that you are either overfeeding your dog or that her appetite is off because she is experiencing some nausea, one possible cause of which (considering her age) being chronic kidney disease.
WINTER WATER WARNING: Animals who are out in the cold increase their metabolism to keep warm, which also increases their need for water. The notion that animals only need plenty of water in the hot summer months is therefore untrue. So be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for companion animals who spend time outdoors in freezing weather.
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