Why does he do this?

[Smokeycat]

Kryten has developed an odd eating behavior in the past couple of months. He will ignore his bowl until after Jiggers has finished eating and then start a low grumble. Typically after being told to "shut up and eat" once, he will.
I was concerned about it being food aggression but if Jiggers tries to eat Kryten's food Kryten doesn't do anything but grumble. I have taught Jiggers to lay down away from Kryten's food just as a precaution even though there has been no sign of actual aggression. Kryten has always done a walk around his dish as he eats and I have read elsewhere that is a sign of resource guarding. He just seems to be giving mixed messages and I'm not sure if it's just a behavioral tic or a precursor to a potentially serious problem. Any ideas?

 

[ruthcatrin]

I'm going to say its one of those "keep an eye on it but don't panic" things.

I don't like it as a behavior, but since it shows no sign of turning into actual aggression......

 

[Smokeycat]

Yeah I don't like it either and I plan to keep on trying to eliminate it. It just confuses me because it doesn't seem to be what it 'should' be.

 

[cinnamon roll]

Our rotties use to play this game with food and treats. luckily it never went beyond them being vocal about it

 

[thelady_v2010]

I say it is mild resource guarding, Menace used to grumble at the cats but it didn't go further. He will stop eating and watch them if they walk in the room and I know it is still on his mind that they are after his food. He will ignore a whole bowl of food until one of them walks up and sniffs it, then he will of course go eat it.