Why Does My Dog Eat Lying Down?

Reasons why your dog might eat lying down

If your dog always eats lying down and is otherwise healthy and happy, it might just be their preferred eating style. However, if this behavior is new, accompanied by signs of discomfort or affecting how much or how often they eat, it’s a good idea to consult your vet. Dogs may eat lying down for a few reasons.

Joint pain or painful limbs: Lying down while eating may be due to joint pain, conditions like arthritis, or injuries to their legs or paws. In these cases, standing for extended periods might cause discomfort, especially for larger breeds, overweight dogs, or senior dogs.

Hip pain: The behavior could indicate other painful conditions such as hip pain. This can result from conditions such as arthritis in the hip joint, injuries like broken bones or hip luxations, or congenital problems like hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip pain may be uncomfortable while standing. The dog might choose to lie down to reduce pressure on their hips.

Back or neck pain: If a dog is experiencing discomfort in their neck or back, they might try to avoid standing or bending their neck. This can be especially difficult when trying to reach down into their food bowl — and dogs who are in a lot of pain may avoid eating altogether. Standing and bending can put extra strain on their spine.

To chow down: A dog who is settling down to eat a large meal may lie down to really dig into their food. Both wild animals and domesticated dogs will often lie down when eating a bigger meal, especially one with bones, which require more effort to gnaw. Laying down also allows dogs to have their front paws available to hold and stabilize their food while they are chewing on it.

The dog is a large breed: Large breed dogs who have to bend all the way down to the floor to reach their bowls may put additional strain on their bodies doing that. As a result, it may be easier for them to comfortably eat while lying down. Alternatively, you can provide your tall dog with elevated food and water bowls to make it easier for them to eat and drink while standing.

What to do next if your dog starts to eat lying down

Eating meals while lying down is usually nothing to worry about as long as medical issues have been ruled out. But if your dog is suddenly lying down to eat and/or has other signs of pain or illness (lethargy, avoiding normal activities or exercise, a decreased appetite, or pain when you touch them in certain places), it’s important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause of their pain.

A vet can help determine if your dog is in pain, localize where that pain is coming from, and determine if that is why your dog is lying down to eat. If warranted, your vet might recommend additional tests such as X-rays or bloodwork to diagnose certain conditions. Based on these findings, they can provide appropriate treatment recommendations.

References

Llera, Ryan , and Robin Downing. “Arthritis in Dogs.” Vca_corporate, 2023, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/arthritis-in-dogs.

Maurice, Melle & Mc, Keafon & Ks, Namuene. (2020). International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology Committed to Create Value for Researchers The Nutritional Care and Feeding Behavior of an Adult Female Lion (Panthera Leo) in Mvog-Betsi Zoo in Yaounde, Centre Region, Cameroon. International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology. 10.23880/izab-16000248.

“Bloat, the Mother of All Dog Emergencies.” Kinship.com, 2021, www.kinship.com/dog-health/bloat-mother-all-dog-emergencies. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.