Food and emotions are closely connected, often in ways that impact our well-being and our waistlines. Emotional eating, also known as “stress eating,” occurs when we turn to food to comfort ourselves during negative emotions. Like when Bridget Jones sits on the couch with a large tub of ice cream after a love-related emotional setback, she is engaging in this behavior. The reason we find it amusing and endearing is because many of us can relate to it.
Negative moods can increase the desire to eat, especially foods that provide comfort, such as those high in sugar and fat. If we engage in stress eating too frequently, we may gain unwanted weight. Interestingly, humans are not the only ones affected by emotional eating. It has also been linked to the obesity epidemic in our pet dogs and cats. Therefore, it is important to consider the connection between food and emotions in our animal companions. A new study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior explores this topic further.
The study identified several variables associated with emotional eating in dogs. Dogs perceived as emotional eaters were often seen as unhappy or dependent. Many dogs refused to eat when their owners were not present, and a significant number had been diagnosed with medical conditions or behavioral problems according to their owners. Additionally, emotional eating appeared to be linked to specific feeding habits established by the dog owners, such as feeding once a day or including homemade food in their meals.
Here are the key findings from this study:
- Mental health plays a significant role in obesity among dogs. If a dog is overweight, it could indicate that their psychological well-being is not optimal.
- When addressing obesity in dogs, it is crucial to consider their emotions. By addressing the root causes of emotional eating, such as stress and anxiety triggers (e.g., being alone for extended periods, exposure to stressful stimuli, boredom, punishment-based training), we can find effective ways to treat it. Simply restricting access to food may not be the best approach as it can increase stress levels and the dog’s motivation to eat.
- It is important to note that the study focused on the perceptions of dog owners, which may not necessarily reflect the actual experiences of the dogs themselves.