6 Reasons to Eat with your Dog

Eating with your dog can be surprisingly beneficial—for both of you!

Here are some of the main reasons:

1. Strengthens Bonding

Sharing mealtime side-by-side builds your connection. Dogs are social eaters by nature, so eating at the same time as you mimics pack behaviour and makes them feel included. Humans are also social eaters and this is one of the best ways to get extra emotional nourishment during mealtimes.

2. Encourages Mindful Eating (for you both!)

Dogs eat with enthusiasm and presence—watching them can remind you to slow down and enjoy your own meal. I was once told by my naturopath to chew eat bite 32 times for each of your 32 teeth, this not only ensure that you food is well broken down, it also makes you eat slower. Eating slowly helps you eat less overall as you give your body time to feel satisfied without overeating.

3. Supports Routine and Structure

Dogs thrive on routine. Eating at the same time helps establish consistent schedules, which reduces stress for them. Humans also benefit from regular meals, so syncing up can improve your own eating habits as you are no longer waiting until hanger comes over and binge eating starts.

4. You will Eat Meat  

When you prepare meals that are safe to share, you naturally lean toward lesser processed, real whole foods with more nutrient-dense ingredients. A dog’s diet is particularly healthy for those struggling with irritable bowels.  

Meat is a superfood. We always get inundated with kale and açai berries being superfoods, but in reality the most nutrition is found in organic, free range meats.

5. Reduces Begging and Food Anxiety

Dogs who always see humans eating at different times may develop begging behaviours or food-related stress. Eating together signals that food is abundant and shared, helping prevent resource-guarding or overexcitement around meals.

As someone with a reactive and high prey drive dog who was technically bred for the army, food aggression is the one thing we do not have. Jealousy and curiosity over what you are eating yes. Sharing with another dog however, is no problem.

6. More Joy

Eating together can reduce loneliness and increase joy. Dog’s were blessed with joy and there’s no other species on earth that have more of it. Spending meal times with you dogs gives you more time with them, more time to soak in joy. And who doesn’t want more joy in their life?

I am a big advocate for sharing meals with dogs and they will always have a seat at my table.