Does Your Dog Perform a ‘Contentment Ceremony’ After Food? Vets Explain Why

A viral video of a dachshund joyfully rolling on a blanket after eating has sparked discussion among veterinarians who weighed in on the behavior.

Posted by user @digitdax, the clip features a dog partaking in what the post describes as a “contentment ceremony,” an endearing routine performed after enjoying its meal. The video has amassed 2.1 million views since it was first shared on August 3.

The clip is overlaid with a message saying: “Did you know…some dogs take part in something called a contentment ceremony when they’ve REALLY enjoyed their food? They basically roll around to show how much they enjoyed it.”

The dachshund in question is seen exuberantly rubbing its body on a soft blanket, clearly enjoying the moment. The post’s caption reads “Nothing warms my heart quite like a content dog.”

The pup’s apparent satisfaction over its meal is unsurprising because some dogs are more motivated by food than others, which could be down to genetics, according to a Cambridge University study in May 2016 published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Eleanor Raffan, a co-author of the study, said: “There is some hardwired biology behind that persistent food-seeking behavior,” The Guardian reported at the time of the study’s release.

According to the research, among the dog breeds for which data has been reported, Labrador retrievers were found to have “the greatest documented obesity prevalence and have been shown to be more food motivated than other breeds.”

The study reported that a “deletion in the pro-opiomelanocortin gene” was associated with “increased body weight, adiposity [animal fat] and food motivation in Labrador retrievers as well as the closely related flat-coat retrievers.”

‘Expression of Joy’ vs. Grooming or Play Behavior

While some see the behavior of the dachshund in the TikTok video as a charming and light-hearted ritual, veterinarians suggested there may be more to the story.

Dr. Joshua Smith, a small animal veterinarian based in Meridian, Idaho, confirmed that the behavior in the video is typical for dogs experiencing joy and comfort.

“I can say that the behavior seen in the dachshund rolling on the blanket is a common expression of joy and contentment in dogs,” he told Newsweek.

“While the term ‘contentment ceremony’ is whimsical, it accurately reflects what many dogs do when they feel secure and happy, often after eating or during playtime.”

Smith explained that the act of rolling can help dogs express their excitement, strengthen their bond with their owners, and show that they feel safe in their environment. “It’s always heartwarming to see pets express their happiness,” he added.

Not all experts agree, however, on whether the behavior can be directly tied to the enjoyment of food.

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, a veterinarian from the British Channel Islands, told Newsweek: “This dog is clearly happy—relaxed body language and wagging tail—but I think saying it’s a ‘ceremony’ to indicate they enjoyed their food is a bit of a stretch” and “suggests too much planning and self-awareness for a dog.”

Woodnutt added that “some dogs do this at other times of day and when they aren’t happy, like a mild zoomies” or it could be a grooming or play behavior.

Veterinarian Dr. Julie Hunt, who is a consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance, offered a more cautious interpretation.

“The video shows a dog that is rolling on, rubbing on, and attacking a blanket on a couch. The dog is showing both body language and behavior that is happy and playful,” Hunt told Newsweek. “However, there is no obvious link between this behavior and any outside event.”

According to Hunt, while it’s possible the dachshund was expressing post-meal satisfaction, other factors could be at play. “Even if the dog had just eaten its food and then came to the blanket to behave this way, there is no way to know that the dog’s reaction was the result of its enjoyment of its food versus enjoyment of being on the couch, or the way the blanket smelled, or any other factor in its life,” she said.

Veterinarian Dr. Nell Ostermeier, an adviser for OnePack Plan by PetPartners, also noted that dogs often develop routines to express their contentment, but the behavior may not always be linked to food.

“While I’ve never specifically referred to this as a ‘contentment ceremony,’ dogs can certainly develop a behavior or set of behaviors—a routine—that they perform when they are super happy about something or feeling especially content about life,” Ostermeier told Newsweek.

However, she pointed out that such rolling motions could also serve practical purposes, like cleaning the face after a meal or addressing irritation caused by allergies.

“If your dog just rubs their face after every meal, it is more likely that they are cleaning their face or they may be experiencing some irritation,” Ostermeier said.

“Similar behaviors can be seen when dogs have an itchy face, ears, or eyes, secondary to food, environmental, or flea allergies, and dental concerns.”

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

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