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Costco’s Best-Kept Secrets: 10 Weird Tricks Only Superfans Know

Do you shop at Costco? Then you know the thrill of saving money. But you might be missing other smart ways to stretch your dollars. Check out our list of genius money hacks—almost as good as that $1.50 hot dog!

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Why Dogs Carry Their Food Bowls Around

If your dog routinely takes their dinnerware on a tour around the house, you’ve probably wondered what on earth is going through their mind. Is it a protest? A victory lap? A subtle hint that seconds should be on the menu?

While it looks hilarious, this endearing quirk is actually a fascinating mix of ancient instincts, canine communication, and simple emotional expression.

The Ancient Instinct to "Hide the Haul"

Long before dogs had orthopedic beds and automatic kibble dispensers, their wild ancestors had to work hard for every meal. In a pack environment, eating was a race against time. If a wild canine secured a piece of food, the safest move was to grab it and carry it away from the group to prevent larger or more dominant pack members from stealing it.

Even though your pup’s biggest rival might just be the vacuum cleaner, that deep-seated evolutionary impulse to protect and move their "resource" remains strong. Carrying the bowl is simply a lingering echo of that ancient survival instinct.

The Playful "Trophy" Victory Lap

To a dog, a food bowl isn't just a container—it’s the magic object that produces delicious treats every single day. Once the food is gone, the bowl itself holds high value.

When your dog parades around with it in their mouth, they are often engaging in a classic canine victory lap. They are showing off their prized possession to their favorite human, much like they would with a squeaky toy or a favorite stick. It’s a joyful, energetic release that says, "Look what I have!"

A Polite (or Not-So-Polite) Request for Seconds

Dogs are masters of body language and non-verbal communication. They quickly learn cause and effect: If I pick up this bowl and drop it at my human's feet, they look at me, laugh, and sometimes give me a treat.

If your dog carries their bowl over to you—or drops it with a loud, theatrical CLANG right in front of your chair—they may have figured out how to use it as a makeshift dinner bell. It’s their way of asking, "Are you sure that was the whole portion?"

Attention and Pure Entertainment

Let’s be honest: when your dog trots into the room holding a giant bowl, your reaction is almost certainly positive. You smile, talk to them in a high-pitched voice, take a video, or offer a head scratch.

Dogs thrive on our engagement. If carrying the bowl earned them a burst of affection yesterday, they will happily repeat the performance today. Plus, for a dog left alone for part of the day, carrying a light, metallic, or rubbery bowl around the house is just plain fun—it makes a great noise and feels satisfying to hold.

Seeking Comfort while Eating

Sometimes, the location of the bowl itself is the issue. If the food dish is placed in a high-traffic area, near a loud appliance, or in a cold, isolated corner of the home, your dog might feel slightly vulnerable while eating. By picking up the bowl and bringing it into the living room near you, they are choosing to eat where they feel safest and most comfortable.

How to Handle the Culinary Parade

For the most part, carrying a food bowl around is a harmless, adorable habit that adds character to your daily routine. However, a couple of quick checks can ensure your dog stays happy and healthy:

• Check the Fit and Material: If your dog uses a loud metal bowl, the clattering sound on hard floors can sometimes startle anxious dogs—or prompt energetic dogs to turn it into a game. Switching to a heavier ceramic bowl or a silicone mat can help if you want to curb the habit.
• Keep It Clean: Bowls that get carried around the living room rug tend to collect dust, pet hair, and floor debris. Make sure to give the bowl a quick wash after every meal so your dog isn't carrying around dried-on food or dirt.
• Mind the Energy: If the bowl-carrying comes with guarding behaviors—like growling, stiffening, or hoarding—it’s best to give your dog a quiet, undisturbed space to eat and gently pick up the bowl once they walk away.

At the end of the day, a dog parading through the house with a food bowl in their jaws is usually just a happy, well-fed pup celebrating one of the best moments of their day. It’s a charming reminder that even after thousands of years of domestication, our canine companions still keep one paw firmly planted in the wild—and one bowl firmly planted in their mouth!

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Pedigree - High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food: Potential plastic contaminants
• Steve's Real Food - Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe Cat and Dog Food: Possible Low Thiamine Levels (B1)
• Raaw Energy - Dog Food: Potential Listeria Contamination

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