Why does my dog growl when he is eating?
If you think about it, growling is one of the few forms of "verbal" communication dogs possess. Most forms of growling serve one purpose – to get someone or something to back off.
Dogs growl for a variety of reasons. On his own property, he may growl to protect his turf from encroachment (territorial aggression) or to guard some valued resource (food or toys).
Keep a safe distance from your dog while he/she is eating. If he becomes highly agitated or aggressive when you are near him while he’s eating, consult your veterinarian for advice. Your pet may have a tooth abscess causing a lot of pain, or there may be some other cause that can be treated when you have further information about his actions.
Written by:
Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert
August 08, 2009