People Answer If Dogs That Go For Scraps Of Food Actually Still Hungry Or If They Just Eat Because It Is There

Some dogs really just eat anything that is in their vicinity.

Daphnie

• Published in Animal Stories
• March 17, 2024

When it comes to dogs, one thing that many have in common is that dog owners often times have a lot of the same similar experiences. It's true that most dogs do act alike and they really do have a lot of personality traits that run heavy into dogs, no matter what the breed is.

Now, with this being said, we have heard so many different questions from dog owners, and one question that we're answering today is whether dogs who eat scraps are actually still hungry or not. If you have a dog, then you know they have a bad habit of begging for food.

It seems like even if you feed them as much as they should eat, treats, and even extras they are still sitting at your feet when you eat. In this post, we'll be looking at responses to a question that was asked regarding if dogs who beg for food or eat scraps off the floor are truly still hungry or not.

Dogs will be dogs, but finding this out might help some dog owners who are dealing with this issue. So, with this being said, let's dive in and check out the full question as well as what people had to say in the comments about it as well.

Here is the original question that was posted on Quora. This sounds like something a lot of dog owners have experienced before.

We'd be worried if they weren't eating everything too because that's just what dogs do.

As per Joanne’s good answer -I would be more worried if the dogs did NOT naturally try to grab any scrap that falls - that is perfectly normal behaviour , probably from hunting/ pack instinct - and it really never made a difference with mine whether they had been just fed or not, so all is OK.

The only time there was a ‘hiccup’ on this is when Lab grabbed what I accidently dropped while prepping food - It was a piece of a hot chilli - Ever see a Lab trying to ‘plough’ along wet grass with his face for a while ??? Well I did !.

The next ‘windfall was carefully sniffed first !

This is also true too that if dogs have been allowed to do it before then they most likely will continue doing it.

They do it because they have never been trained to not do it, hungry or not, the dog should not touch anything that falls on the floor. What if its one of your meds that could kill a dog if it takes it?

My dog will ignore anything that fell, unless I tell him to get it because he has been trained that way.

He will also ignore food found on the ground anywhere because of that training, I like my dog alive and well.

Dogs are definitely binge eaters - we have to agree.

Dogs are binge eaters. In the wild this is a good adaptation which means no wasted food.

In a domestic setting, this only leads to fat dogs.

Your pups will *always* act hungry around any food; it is your parental responsibility to limit their intake.

This comment answered it pretty well in our opinion!

All dogs and wild canids are “Opportunistic” predators and will take advantage of a food source any time one presents itself and quickly gorge themselves to the bursting point on it, to ensure they can carry some back to regurgitate for the older dogs and pups left behind at the Den while the younger fitter Pack Members hunt…

Domesticated dogs retain those instincts and humans who allow their dogs to “free feed” are the largest contributors to the greatest health problem with all breeds… Obesity…

SO… your dogs dive on those food scraps for two reasons…

They are hard-wired by 37 million years of evolution and 30,000 years of scrounging meals from human garbage dumps to do so….

YOU have failed to train them to keep a respectful distance from the Human kitchen and dinner table…

Dogs are definitely heavy eaters, and they definitely are not always hungry, but they won't pass up food if it's in front of them. Most dogs aren't actually hungry, though, but they do have the instincts to continue eating, and it's the owner's responsibility to keep their intake at a respectable amount.

Daphnie