Nearly half of U.S. dog owners report that their pets engage in a specific “meal ritual,” with some owners going to surprising lengths to support these routines.
A recent survey of 2,000 dog owners conducted by Talker Research on behalf of JustFoodForDogs found that 44% said their dogs perform a particular behavior at mealtime. Reported behaviors included whining or barking (21%), jumping (21%), dancing (21%) and wiggling their backside (19%).
The survey also revealed the extent to which dog owners participate in these rituals. Nearly half (48%) said they place food in a specific bowl or location, while 38% add extra ingredients such as fresh food to increase appeal. Other owner behaviors include hand-mixing food (30%), saying a special phrase before feeding (22%), and pre-meal treats (20%).
Some reported even more elaborate practices: plating meals like gourmet dishes (16%), heating food to a specific temperature (15%), setting the table and eating with their pet (14%), and using specific utensils (12%). A small number of owners even reported singing (9%) or dancing (9%) to encourage their dogs to eat.
“From bowl placements to special toppers and even pre-meal dances, this level of dedication shows just how deeply pet parents care about their dogs’ happiness and routines,” said Carey Tischler, president of JustFoodForDogs. “It’s clear mealtime has become more than just nutrition. With many serving fresh, human-grade food, they’re feeding their pets the way they feed themselves — with love, intention, and plenty of personality on both ends of the leash.”
Timing also emerged as a priority: 69% of respondents said their dogs alert them if meals are even a minute late. Common signals included staring (39%), following owners around (34%), whining (33%), pawing (26%), and pacing (24%).
The study also noted less common rituals, such as pretending to take a bite of the food first, putting toys away before eating, and serving a post-meal “dessert.”
“What we’re seeing isn’t just feeding time — it’s a daily ritual that reflects the deep emotional bond between humans and their pets,” Tischler said. “These mealtime customs show just how much personality our dogs have, and how far pet parents will go to make our dogs excited about mealtime — even if it means meals that look more like what humans eat.”
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 U.S. dog owners online between April 7 and April 14, 2025. The study was commissioned by JustFoodForDogs.
