I don't really know, but my dog eats like that and shes never been abused or anything in that sort. shes a PIGGY! lol..she eats her food in like 1 minute. I knew a person who adopted a dog who had been shot several times (and lived), she was afraid to use to bathroom among other things. With lots of love and care, you could never tell the dog ever had been hurt, shes so happy now :]