A viral video showing a dachshund happily rolling around on a blanket after eating has sparked discussion among veterinarians who have spoken out about the behavior.
Posted by user @digitdax, the clip shows a dog participating in what the post describes as a “contentment ceremony,” an endearing routine performed after enjoying its meal. The video has been viewed 2.1 million times since it was first shared on August 3.
The clip is overlaid with a message saying: “Did you know… that some dogs participate in what’s called a contentment ceremony when they’ve REALLY enjoyed their food? Basically, they roll around to show how how much they appreciated it.”
The dachshund in question is seen exuberantly rubbing his body on a soft blanket, clearly enjoying the moment. The post’s caption reads “Nothing warms my heart like a happy dog.”
The puppy’s apparent satisfaction with his meal is not surprising, as some dogs are more food motivated than others, which could be due to genetics, according to a study from the University of Cambridge published in May 2016 in the journal Cellular metabolism.
Eleanor Raffan, co-author of the study, said: “There is hardwired biology behind this persistent foraging behavior. » The Guardian reported at the time of publication of the study.
According to the study, among dog breeds for which data was reported, Labrador retrievers had “the highest documented prevalence of obesity and were found to be more food motivated than other breeds.”
The study reported that a “deletion of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene” was associated with “increased body weight, adiposity [animal fat] and food motivation in Labrador retrievers as well as closely related flat-coated retrievers.
“Expression of joy” in relation to grooming or play behavior
While some see the dachshund’s behavior in the TikTok video as a charming, light-hearted ritual, veterinarians have suggested there may be more to the story.
Dr. Joshua Smith, a small animal veterinarian based in Meridian, Idaho, confirmed that the behavior shown in the video is typical of dogs experiencing joy and comfort.
“I can say that the behavior observed in the dachshund rolling on the blanket is a common expression of joy and contentment among dogs,” he said. News week.
“Although the term ‘contentment ceremony’ is fanciful, it accurately reflects what many dogs do when they feel safe and happy, often after eating or during playtime.”
Smith explained that rolling can help dogs express excitement, strengthen their bond with their owners and show that they feel safe in their environment. “It’s always heartwarming to see animals express their happiness,” he added.
However, not all experts agree on whether this behavior can be directly linked to enjoying food.
Channel Islands veterinarian Dr Joanna Woodnutt said News week: “This dog is clearly happy – relaxed body language and wagging tail – but I think saying it’s a ‘ceremony’ to indicate he enjoyed his 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 the day and when they’re not happy, like a slight zoom,” or it could be grooming or play behavior.
Veterinarian Dr Julie Hunt, a consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance, offered a more cautious interpretation.
“The video shows a dog rolling around, rubbing and attacking a blanket on a couch. The dog shows both body language and happy, playful behavior,” Hunt said. News week. “However, there is no obvious link between this behavior and any external event.”
According to Hunt, while it’s possible that the dachshund expressed satisfaction after the meal, other factors could be at play. “Even if the dog had just eaten his food and then approached the blanket to act out, In this way, there is no way of knowing whether the dog’s reaction was the result of his pleasure of eating versus the pleasure of being on the couch, or of the smell of the blanket, or some other factor in her life,” she said.
Veterinarian Dr. Nell Ostermeier, an advisor for PetPartners’ OnePack Plan, also noted that dogs often develop routines to express contentment, but that behavior is not always food-related.
“While I’ve never specifically called it a ‘contentment ceremony,’ dogs can certainly develop a behavior or set of behaviors – a routine – that they perform when they are very happy about something or feeling particularly satisfied with life,” Ostermeier said. said News week.
However, she pointed out that such rolling movements could also have practical uses, such as cleaning the face after a meal or treating irritation caused by allergies.
“If your dog simply rubs his face after every meal, he’s more likely to clean his face or experience some irritation,” Ostermeier said.
“Similar behaviors can be seen when dogs have itchy faces, ears or eyes, secondary to food, environmental or flea allergies and dental problems.”
News week contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
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