Why does my dog only eat when I sit in the room with her?

Dogs typically like having members of their pack with them when they eat. If your dog doesn’t eat without you, that could mean they consider you as part of their pack. Your dog could also feel anxious and want you to be around for comfort. Some canines also mimic their owners’ behavior when eating.

Why do dogs like being in a pack?

Modern dogs may already be tame and act differently than their wild counterparts, but some of their behavior and characteristics remain the same.

One of the most known behaviors of dogs that they got from their ancestors is their pack mentality.

Being in a pack means that they’re safer and can be vulnerable since they have someone looking out for them.

A pack mentality also means that some dogs may need someone in the room with them.

Protection

When eating, canines tend to be open and vulnerable to other animals that are stronger than them.

This could be one of the reasons why your dog likes having you around when they eat.

Some dogs even sit by their owners and be on guard when they eat. It could be their way of saying: “You can eat now; I’ll stay guard and watch out for other animals.”

It’s really cute if you think about it!

To lessen anxiety and emotional distress

Like humans, dogs also need emotional support when distressed or anxious.

This anxiety can be caused by several factors, such as:

• Past trauma.
• Loud noises.
• Being around new people.
• Eating in a new environment.

If you think your pup is experiencing any of these, it’s best to seek professional help to alleviate them.

For starters, you can move their eating area to somewhere they feel safe. They might associate their current eating place with something bad that happened to them in the past and are afraid to be alone in that area.

Feeling of belongingness and security

Another reason why dogs like to be in a pack and consequently only eat when you’re around is they like the feeling of belongingness.

They also tend to mimic those that they deem their companion.

Some dogs even go to the extent of not eating when their human isn’t eating with them. Being with them physically isn't enough - you must have meals with them, too.

What to do if my dog won’t eat without me?

First, try to rule out any dental issues. Health problems could make your dog want to be with you constantly and require your protection and attention.

Secondly, you can try sitting with them and gradually moving farther away when they eat. You don’t have to do this in one go - the key here is training them to gradually feel okay without having you around.

Lastly, you can also try establishing a fixed eating routine. Giving them a schedule and sticking to it can lessen your dog’s anxiety and fear. They’ll soon learn that at a given time, they’ll consistently be fed and won’t be disturbed while they eat.