Almost half of dog owners say their pets have a “diet ritual,” but some of them are extreme.
That’s according to the survey Of the 2,000 dog owners, 44% said their pets would have an accurate routine or behavior at mealtime.
From whining and barking (21%) to jumping up and down (21%) to a little dance (21%) (21%) and overall backside (19%), almost half of participants said their pets had “movement” when they were eating.
Pet owners are also involved in the ritual
Research conducted on behalf of Talker Research JustfoodfordogsWe also found that these rituals were not just for dogs. The owner also admits that it is part of the routine.
Almost half of dog owners who voted in said they had to place their food in a specific location or in a specific bowl (48%), while 38% revealed that they had to add a little extra ingredient (like fresh food) to make their dog’s diet more attractive (30%).
It was also reported that they said (22%) before feeding special phrases or words, warming up before the main meal (20%), plated meals like restaurant gourmet plates (16%), meals were included at a certain temperature (15%), and a bit of snacks and snacks were given.
14% of participants set up a table for their dogs and go until they sit together and eat (14%).
12% said they had made their dogs choose their diet, and another 12% said they needed to use certain tools, such as special spoons, to serve their dogs.
One in ten people sang small songs and even said they would jig a little to feed their dogs.
“From bowl arrangements to special toppers and even infant dances, this level of dedication shows how deeply the pet parents are interested in the happiness and routine of their dogs.” “It’s clear that mealtimes are more than just nutrition. Many people provide fresh, human-grade food, so they feed their pets in a way that feeds themselves.
Presentations are more important than you think
Over half (58%) said that most of the efforts in serving food for dogs go into the appearance of the food.
However, it’s not just the food that’s annoying for dogs. Certain times are also important.
69% of respondents said they would let them know when their dogs were a little late to serve their food.
How do they let them know? 39% said the dogs would sit in front of them with a fierce appearance, while 34% said they would chase them around the house until the dog was released.
Nonstops of whining and bar stops were popular warning signs (33%), tweaking feet, tapping owners with PAW (26%), and interacting around kitchen and food areas (24%).
Other rituals cited to feed the dog were that the dog had to pretend to bite before the dog went, and had to help the dog put the toy on the toy before meals and then serve “desserts.”
“What we see isn’t just time for you. It’s a daily ritual that reflects the deep emotional bond between humans and pets,” added Tishler. “These dietary habits show how much personality our dogs have and how much pet parents go to to excite our dogs at mealtime.
Top 12 Diet Rituals for Dogs
- Always keep food in a specific place or bowl (48%)
- Add a little extra ingredients (such as chicken soup) to make your meal more attractive (38%)
- More appetizing hand food (30%)
- Say special phrases or words before giving them (22%)
- Give a small snack or snack as a warm-up before the main meal (20%)
- Plating their meals as if I was preparing gourmet dishes for them (16%)
- Heat to a specific temperature before serving food (15%)
- Set up a table and sit together and eat at the same time (14%)
- Give them “choose” food by offering some options and seeing which one goes (12%)
- Serve meals using specific tools (e.g. special spoons or bowls) (12%)
- Singing (9%)
- Dance with my dog (9%)
Research method:
The Talker Survey examined the owners of 2,000 dogs. The investigation was commissioned by Justfoodfordogs Managed and implemented online by Talker Research April 7th – April 14th, 2025.
