Are Dogs Only Loyal for Food?

Dogs are complex animals, and no one fully understands how their brains work or what they think of humans.

However, there is one common question that many of us want to know: Are dogs only loyal for food, or do they actually love us?

Dogs are not only loyal to humans for food.

Although food plays a part in a dog’s loyalty, there are other factors to consider. For example, most dogs don’t like to be alone and find comfort in being around humans.

Because of this, they become loyal to the people around them. 

The rest of this article will discuss why dogs are loyal to humans. It will also discuss if dogs are loyal to anyone who feeds them.

Why Are Dogs Loyal to Humans? Is it Just for Food?

Dogs are loyal to humans because we give them food and shelter and keep them company throughout their lives.

Because of this, they begin to trust and gain respect for us. Dogs can sense when you care about them and usually reciprocate those feelings. 

Let’s look at all the most common reasons dogs are loyal to humans.

1. We Provide Food and Shelter

There’s no point in denying that feeding dogs does play a part in their loyalty toward us. Dogs appreciate being fed without doing work, and the same goes for shelter.

A dog with a nice cozy bed in a warm home will naturally feel content and happy to be around you.

But this doesn’t mean that dogs are shallow. When you think about it, humans are pretty similar to dogs in this aspect.

For example, if someone invites you into their home and gives you a delicious cooked meal, you will respect that person and might even become a loyal friend because you recognize their kindness and appreciate it.

Dogs behave in the same way!

NOTE – This post might be useful if your dog always wants to eat more food.

2. We Play With Them

We don’t just give dogs food and shelter. Playing with them is another reason why they’re so loyal to us. In most cases, your dog will happily play games with you, even if no food is involved.

You may notice your dog jumps up on you with excitement when you play with them, or you might see their mood perk up when you bring them out to the park for quality time together.

Dogs like to be active around other people and animals, and playing with them makes them appreciate you and excited to be around you.

NOTE – You may also enjoy reading this blog post answering the question: why are some dogs so greedy?

3. We Keep Them Company

Since dogs are social animals, they prefer to be around other animals and humans rather than alone.

So when you bring your dog home and make them a part of your family, you’re essentially acting like a pack for your dog.

This will give them comfort and reassurance, so they will likely stay loyal to you and the rest of the family.

For example, it’s common for dogs to move closer to their owners if they come into the room.

Dogs love to lie near the people they know and be petted because it makes them feel loved and safe. And this certainly has nothing to do with food!

NOTE – You may also want to read this post looking at the question: do dogs like their food?

4. They Trust Us

After a while, your dog will get used to being around you.

Since you will constantly be feeding them and giving them everything they need, they will naturally begin to trust you and the other people around them who they see every day.

Like humans, dogs feel comforted and safe in environments that remain stable.

Once your dog trusts you, they’ll want to spend even more time with you (even if that means relaxing on the couch)!

STOP – Before you continue reading, you might enjoy this post short but really interesting video about dogs and why they are loyal to humans.

Just click the image to start playing:

 

Are Dogs Loyal to Anyone Who Feeds Them?

Dogs are loyal to anyone who feeds them to a certain extent.

However, they will always be most faithful to the people they are most familiar with and give them the most comfort, love, and attention. 

This means that if a person your dog has never met comes to your house and gives them some food, they won’t become more loyal to that person.

Sure, they’ll probably like them now that they’ve fed them, but your dog will want to stay close to you the most.

NOTE – You might also enjoy this post looking at the question: Why do dogs like human food?

Why Do Dogs Beg for Food?

Dogs beg for food because they know it will get you to feed them.

Usually, dogs continue to beg if you always give in to their begging.

To prevent begging, you can eat in a separate room from your dog or stop giving them food whenever they beg.

However, it’s important to note that mild begging is typical in dogs, so you shouldn’t worry too much about it.

Dogs love food and tasty smells like humans, so it’s no surprise that they beg for it now and then.

But if you give in to the begging every time, you will reinforce bad behavior and may even cause health problems to your dog by overfeeding.

You may worry that if you don’t feed your dog when they beg, they won’t be loyal to you anymore. However, this isn’t true!

Ignoring a dog’s begging will in no way make them less loyal, so there’s no need to feel guilty.

Plus, it will make them better behaved around the kitchen and dinner table.

Do Dogs Care About Their Owners?

Dogs care about their owners over time because they trust them and see them as a big part of their lives.

When a dog gets used to being around the same person every day and is treated with respect, it will begin to care about that person. 

For example, it’s common for dogs to get super excited when their owner comes home from work in the evening.

But if any other person walked into the home, the dog wouldn’t have the same level of excitement.

When dogs are excited (like when you get home from work), their brains release a chemical known as oxytocin.

This chemical helps to promote interaction and relationships between dogs and humans, and it’s one of the reasons dogs are often seen as loyal.

Final Notes On Dog’s Loyalty and Food

Although food is a part of why dogs are loyal, there are other things to consider. Here are some other common reasons dogs remain so loyal to humans:

• We shelter them.
• We play with them.
• They see us as trustworthy.
• They get comfortable around us over time.

That’s the end of this article, answering the questions are dogs only loyal for food? Thanks for visiting the site!