For dog lovers, mealtime is an opportunity to bond with their furry companions, but it can also be a delightful mess! Some dogs have a knack for turning even the tidiest kitchens into a chaotic splatter zone. In this exploration of canine quirks, we introduce you to seven dog breeds known for their notoriously messy eating habits. From slobber-covered floors to food-flinging antics, discover which breeds embrace their inner mess-maker with gusto. Whether it’s their love for water or their enthusiastic approach to dinner, these charmingly disorderly eaters remind us that imperfection can be perfectly lovable.
Dogs are lovable companions who bring so much joy and loyalty to our lives, but let’s be honest—they don’t always have the best table manners. Some breeds of dogs are especially known for their messy eating, whether due to their excitement, physical quirks, or sheer love of food. Breeds like the English Bulldog, Saint Bernard, Boxer, Labrador Retriever, Pug, and Beagle are particularly known for their untidy mealtime manners.
And then there are big, enthusiastic eaters like Labradors, who can’t seem to keep their kibble in the middle of the bowl because they’re just so excited. From splashing water to scattering food everywhere, these messy eaters can test your patience.
Solutions like spill-proof bowls, toys, and feeding mats can help manage the chaos. And honestly, these dogs’ love for food is another adorable part of what makes them so special.
7 Dog Breeds With The Messiest Eating Habits
1. English Bulldog
Bulldogs, with their wrinkly faces, short snouts, and stocky builds, are known for being messy eaters. Their adorable facial structure makes it tough to eat and drink without making a mess. The loose skin and big jowls around their face tend to trap food, and drinking water often turns into a splashy event, leaving trails of dribbles everywhere. These dogs breed also drool, which only adds to the mess during mealtime.
On top of the worst of that, these dogs often gulp their food down too quickly, causing spills and leaving their eating area looking like a mini disaster zone. Fast eating can also increase their risk of bloating, so using a slow-feeder bowl might help.
You should be ready to clean up around their Bulldog’s feeding area and wipe their dog’s face after meals to keep food from getting stuck in their wrinkles, which could lead to irritation or infection. Sure, it’s messy, but their funny, lovable, healthy eating habits make it all worth it.
2. Great Dane
Great Danes are majestic giants with a gentle nature, but their size and eating habits can make mealtime untidy. Their big mouths and loose jowls make it easy for food and water to spill while they eat or drink. On top of that, they drool a lot—especially when they’re hungry or excited about a meal. Plus, these guys are not slow eaters.
These guys eat and drink a lot—it’s just part of having such a big pup around! But with that size comes a bit of mess. Their excitement at mealtime often leads to tipped bowls and water everywhere. If you’re a proud Great Dane owner, prepare for more cleanup than you’d expect with smaller breeds. Luckily, there are some easy fixes.
Elevated feeding stations can keep bowls steady and make mealtime more comfortable for your dog. Adding a mat or towel under the bowls can catch those inevitable spills and make cleaning up a breeze. Sure, mealtime might get dirty, but let’s be honest—their love and giant cuddles make it all worth it.
3. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are known for their love of food and their voracious appetite. These dogs tend to gulp down their meals quickly, a behavior which can lead to bloating or choking. Slow-feeder bowls can help control the speed at which they eat and reduce the risk of health issues. Labradors also tend to be messy drinkers, often splashing water outside their bowls while quenching their thirst.
Owners should consider using raised feeding stations and placing mats or towels under the area to minimize messes. It is also important to monitor your Labrador’s eating habits and ensure they are not overeating or consuming too quickly.
These gentle giants may be notorious eaters, but their loving nature and energy make them great companions for active families. According to AKC, mealtime messes can be managed with proper training and monitoring while enjoying all the joy a Labrador brings. Regular grooming also contributes to keeping their coats clean and food or drool-free.
4. Pug
Pugs are small and adorable dogs known for their loving and docile nature. Their unique facial structure can make eating and drinking a messy affair. Their short snouts can cause them difficulty picking up food or water, often resulting in spills on the floor.
To help your Pug with mealtime, use shallow bowls they can easily reach without struggling. A mat or towel under the eating area can also catch spills and make cleanup easier. PetMD says it is important to monitor your Pug’s weight as they age and are prone to obesity due to their love of food.
Though known for their messy eating, these dogs are incredibly playful and loving companions. With the right care, exercise, and attention, they thrive as cherished members of any home.
5. Beagle
Beagles are famous dogs for their incredible sense of smell and their love of food, but that combo can make them pretty spoiled eaters. They tend to drool, chew, and spill while eating, and their long, floppy ears don’t help—they can easily get into any food or water spills.
To keep the mess under control, try using a raised crate or feeding station with a mat or towel underneath to catch the drips and spills. Their powerful tails can also contribute to the mess, sweeping nearby objects onto the floor. Regular grooming once a week is a good idea to keep their coat neat and free of any food bits.
Even though these dogs can be dirty at mealtime, Beagles are amazing family pets. They’re friendly, playful, and always up for an adventure. With a little care and attention, they’ll be your happy sidekick in no time!
6. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are big, lovable dogs known for their gentle nature and their love of food and water, factors which can make mealtime a bit of a messy adventure. Their size means they can pack away a lot of food and water in one go, and with their loose lips and jowls, keeping everything contained is nearly impossible. On top of that, these gentle giants are known to drool—a lot—so don’t be surprised if mealtime gets extra messed up.
When it comes to drinking water, Newfoundlands bring so much enthusiasm that they often leave splashes and puddles everywhere, turning the area around their water bowl into a mini splash zone. Eating isn’t much tidier, either. Purina says their excitement contributes to bits of kibble flying in all directions, leaving the floor of their feeding area looking like a small food explosion.
Still, most Newfoundland owners will tell you the extra cleanup is a small price to pay for the joy, love, and companionship these amazing pets bring into their lives. Visit the veterinarian regularly for checkups and include dental care in your dog’s medical regimen.
7. Siberian Husky
Huskies are energetic, playful pets who love to eat. They have a thick coat that keeps them warm in the cold weather and also makes them prone to shedding, for example, which means more fur floating around your home. During mealtime, these dogs can be quite mess creators due to their high energy level and excitement for food.
They often paw at their bowls or knock them over in their eagerness to eat, sending kibble flying everywhere. And with all that fur, crumbs and water droplets easily get caught in their coat, creating a trail of mess as they move around and explore the house after eating. Plus, Huskies tend to play with their food before eating it, adding even more mess to the already chaotic mealtime.
These guys are loyal, intelligent, and always up for an adventure, making them a beloved breed among dog owners. Plus, their messy eating habits just add to their charm and endearment. S,o if you’re considering getting a Husky, be prepared for extra cleaning and lots of love and fun with your furry companion pets.
Final Thoughts
Whatever kind of dog you have, whether a Saint Bernard, Bulldog, Boxer, or Labrador Retriever, mealtime can get messy. But let’s be real—any dog owner knows the love and joy these furry friends bring makes the cleanup worth it. So embrace your pup’s messful eating, whether picking up crumbs or wiping drool. A little extra cleaning is a small price for the endless love and loyalty they give us daily.
In exploring the seven dog breeds with the messiest eating habits, it becomes clear that factors such as size, snout shape, and enthusiasm play significant roles in their dining demeanors. Breeds with flat faces, like Bulldogs and Boxers, often struggle to eat neatly due to their unique jaw structures. Larger breeds, such as Saint Bernards and Newfoundlands, may produce more drool, further contributing to the mess. While their eating habits may require extra cleanup, these breeds bring joy and companionship that far outweigh the inconvenience of their meal-time messiness. Understanding these traits helps owners manage and embrace their pets’ unique personalities.