diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 902cacc35..1ba34bb25 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -621,6 +621,7 @@ extern int dog_nutrition(struct monst *, struct obj *);
 extern int dog_eat(struct monst *, struct obj *, coordxy, coordxy, boolean);
 extern int dog_move(struct monst *, int);
 extern void finish_meating(struct monst *);
+extern void quickmimic(struct monst *);
 
 /* ### dokick.c ### */
 
@@ -1542,6 +1543,7 @@ extern int minliquid(struct monst *);
 extern boolean movemon_singlemon(struct monst *);
 extern int movemon(void);
 extern void meatbox(struct monst *, struct obj *);
+extern void m_consume_obj(struct monst *, struct obj *);
 extern int meatmetal(struct monst *);
 extern int meatobj(struct monst *);
 extern int meatcorpse(struct monst *);
diff --git a/src/dogmove.c b/src/dogmove.c
index 6a0ed7a1a..3833ee626 100644
--- a/src/dogmove.c
+++ b/src/dogmove.c
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ static long score_targ(struct monst *, struct monst *);
 static boolean can_reach_location(struct monst *, coordxy, coordxy, coordxy,
                                   coordxy);
 static boolean could_reach_item(struct monst *, coordxy, coordxy);
-static void quickmimic(struct monst *);
 
 /* pick a carried item for pet to drop */
 struct obj *
@@ -220,8 +219,7 @@ dog_eat(struct monst *mtmp,
         boolean devour)
 {
     register struct edog *edog = EDOG(mtmp);
-    boolean poly, grow, heal, eyes, slimer, deadmimic;
-    int nutrit, res, corpsenm;
+    int nutrit, res;
     long oprice;
     char objnambuf[BUFSZ], *obj_name;
 
@@ -230,16 +228,6 @@ dog_eat(struct monst *mtmp,
         edog->hungrytime = gm.moves;
     nutrit = dog_nutrition(mtmp, obj);
 
-    deadmimic = (obj->otyp == CORPSE && (obj->corpsenm == PM_SMALL_MIMIC
-                                         || obj->corpsenm == PM_LARGE_MIMIC
-                                         || obj->corpsenm == PM_GIANT_MIMIC));
-    slimer = (obj->otyp == GLOB_OF_GREEN_SLIME);
-    poly = polyfodder(obj);
-    grow = mlevelgain(obj);
-    heal = mhealup(obj);
-    eyes = (obj->otyp == CARROT);
-    corpsenm = (obj->otyp == CORPSE ? obj->corpsenm : NON_PM);
-
     if (devour) {
         if (mtmp->meating > 1)
             mtmp->meating /= 2;
@@ -306,14 +294,6 @@ dog_eat(struct monst *mtmp,
         Strcpy(objnambuf, xname(obj));
         iflags.suppress_price--;
     }
-    /* some monsters that eat items could eat a container with contents */
-    if (Has_contents(obj))
-        meatbox(mtmp, obj);
-    /* It's a reward if it's DOGFOOD and the player dropped/threw it.
-       We know the player had it if invlet is set. -dlc */
-    if (dogfood(mtmp, obj) == DOGFOOD && obj->invlet)
-        edog->apport += (int) (200L / ((long) edog->dropdist + gm.moves
-                                       - edog->droptime));
     if (mtmp->data == &mons[PM_RUST_MONSTER] && obj->oerodeproof) {
         /* The object's rustproofing is gone now */
         if (obj->unpaid)
@@ -326,54 +306,24 @@ dog_eat(struct monst *mtmp,
                 pline("%s spits %s out in disgust!",
                       Monnam(mtmp), obj_name);
         }
-    } else if (obj == uball) {
-        unpunish();
-        delobj(obj); /* we assume this can't be unpaid */
-    } else if (obj == uchain) {
-        unpunish();
     } else {
+        /* It's a reward if it's DOGFOOD and the player dropped/threw it.
+           We know the player had it if invlet is set. -dlc */
+        if (dogfood(mtmp, obj) == DOGFOOD && obj->invlet)
+            edog->apport += (int) (200L / ((long) edog->dropdist + gm.moves
+                                           - edog->droptime));
+        m_consume_obj(mtmp, obj);
         if (obj->unpaid) {
             /* edible item owned by shop has been thrown or kicked
                by hero and caught by tame or food-tameable monst */
             oprice = unpaid_cost(obj, TRUE);
             pline("That %s will cost you %ld %s.", objnambuf, oprice,
                   currency(oprice));
-            /* delobj->obfree will handle actual shop billing update */
+            /* m_consume_obj->delobj->obfree will handle actual shop billing update */
         }
-        delobj(obj);
     }
 
-#if 0 /* pet is eating, so slime recovery is not feasible... */
-    /* turning into slime might be cureable */
-    if (slimer && munslime(mtmp, FALSE)) {
-        /* but the cure (fire directed at self) might be fatal */
-        if (DEADMONSTER(mtmp))
-            return 2;
-        slimer = FALSE; /* sliming is avoided, skip polymorph */
-    }
-#endif
-
-    if (poly || slimer) {
-        struct permonst *ptr = slimer ? &mons[PM_GREEN_SLIME] : 0;
-
-        (void) newcham(mtmp, ptr,
-                       cansee(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my) ? NC_SHOW_MSG : 0);
-    }
-
-    /* limit "instant" growth to prevent potential abuse */
-    if (grow && (int) mtmp->m_lev < (int) mtmp->data->mlevel + 15) {
-        if (!grow_up(mtmp, (struct monst *) 0))
-            return 2;
-    }
-    if (heal)
-        mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
-    if ((eyes || heal) && !mtmp->mcansee)
-        mcureblindness(mtmp, canseemon(mtmp));
-    if (deadmimic)
-        quickmimic(mtmp);
-    if (corpsenm != NON_PM)
-        mon_givit(mtmp, &mons[corpsenm]);
-    return 1;
+    return (DEADMONSTER(mtmp)) ? 2 : 1;
 }
 
 static void
@@ -1427,7 +1377,7 @@ finish_meating(struct monst *mtmp)
     }
 }
 
-static void
+void
 quickmimic(struct monst *mtmp)
 {
     int idx = 0, trycnt = 5, spotted, seeloc;
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index fa6f2db5f..8736edbe3 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -1125,6 +1125,73 @@ meatbox(struct monst *mon, struct obj *otmp)
     (ofood(obj) && (touch_petrifies(&mons[(obj)->corpsenm]) \
                     || (obj)->corpsenm == PM_MEDUSA))
 
+/* monster consumes an object.
+
+   monster may die, polymorph, grow up, heal, etc; meating is not changed.
+   object is extracted from any linked list and freed. */
+void
+m_consume_obj(struct monst *mtmp, struct obj *otmp)
+{
+    boolean ispet = mtmp->mtame;
+
+    /* non-pet: Heal up to the object's weight in hp */
+    if (!ispet && mtmp->mhp < mtmp->mhpmax) {
+        mtmp->mhp += objects[otmp->otyp].oc_weight;
+        if (mtmp->mhp > mtmp->mhpmax)
+            mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
+    }
+    if (Has_contents(otmp))
+        meatbox(mtmp, otmp);
+    if (otmp == uball) {
+        unpunish();
+        delobj(otmp);
+    } else if (otmp == uchain) {
+        unpunish(); /* frees uchain */
+    } else {
+        boolean deadmimic, slimer;
+        int poly, grow, heal, eyes, mstone, vis = canseemon(mtmp);
+        int corpsenm = (otmp->otyp == CORPSE ? otmp->corpsenm : NON_PM);
+
+        deadmimic = (otmp->otyp == CORPSE && (otmp->corpsenm == PM_SMALL_MIMIC
+                                             || otmp->corpsenm == PM_LARGE_MIMIC
+                                             || otmp->corpsenm == PM_GIANT_MIMIC));
+        slimer = (otmp->otyp == GLOB_OF_GREEN_SLIME);
+        poly = polyfodder(otmp);
+        grow = mlevelgain(otmp);
+        heal = mhealup(otmp);
+        eyes = (otmp->otyp == CARROT);
+        mstone = mstoning(otmp);
+        delobj(otmp); /* munch */
+        if (poly || slimer) {
+            struct permonst *ptr = slimer ? &mons[PM_GREEN_SLIME] : 0;
+
+            (void) newcham(mtmp, ptr, vis ? NC_SHOW_MSG : NO_NC_FLAGS);
+        }
+        if (grow) {
+            if ((ispet && (int) mtmp->m_lev < (int) mtmp->data->mlevel + 15)
+                || !ispet)
+                (void) grow_up(mtmp, (struct monst *) 0);
+        }
+        if (mstone) {
+            if (poly_when_stoned(mtmp->data)) {
+                mon_to_stone(mtmp);
+            } else if (!resists_ston(mtmp)) {
+                if (vis)
+                    pline("%s turns to stone!", Monnam(mtmp));
+                monstone(mtmp);
+            }
+        }
+        if (heal)
+            mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
+        if ((eyes || heal) && !mtmp->mcansee)
+            mcureblindness(mtmp, canseemon(mtmp));
+        if (ispet && deadmimic)
+            quickmimic(mtmp);
+        if (corpsenm != NON_PM)
+            mon_givit(mtmp, &mons[corpsenm]);
+    }
+}
+
 /*
  * Maybe eat a metallic object (not just gold).
  * Return value: 0 => nothing happened, 1 => monster ate something,
@@ -1136,9 +1203,8 @@ int
 meatmetal(struct monst *mtmp)
 {
     struct obj *otmp;
-    struct permonst *ptr;
     char *otmpname;
-    int poly, grow, heal, mstone, vis = canseemon(mtmp);
+    int vis = canseemon(mtmp);
 
     /* If a pet, eating is handled separately, in dog.c */
     if (mtmp->mtame)
@@ -1185,56 +1251,9 @@ meatmetal(struct monst *mtmp)
                     }
                 }
                 mtmp->meating = otmp->owt / 2 + 1;
-                /* Heal up to the object's weight in hp */
-                if (mtmp->mhp < mtmp->mhpmax) {
-                    mtmp->mhp += objects[otmp->otyp].oc_weight;
-                    if (mtmp->mhp > mtmp->mhpmax)
-                        mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
-                }
-                /* Currently there shouldn't be any metal object with
-                  contents, but just in case... */
-                if (Has_contents(otmp))
-                    meatbox(mtmp, otmp);
-                if (otmp == uball) {
-                    unpunish();
-                    delobj(otmp);
-                } else if (otmp == uchain) {
-                    unpunish(); /* frees uchain */
-                } else {
-                    /* these can occur via eating metal if it's a tin
-                       [can't be slimed; that could only happen via glob] */
-                    poly = polyfodder(otmp);
-                    grow = mlevelgain(otmp);
-                    heal = mhealup(otmp);
-                    mstone = mstoning(otmp);
-                    delobj(otmp);
-                    ptr = mtmp->data;
-                    if (poly) {
-                        if (newcham(mtmp, (struct permonst *) 0,
-                                    vis ? NC_SHOW_MSG : NO_NC_FLAGS))
-                            ptr = mtmp->data;
-                    } else if (grow) {
-                        ptr = grow_up(mtmp, (struct monst *) 0);
-                    } else if (mstone) {
-                        if (poly_when_stoned(ptr)) {
-                            mon_to_stone(mtmp);
-                            ptr = mtmp->data;
-                        } else if (!resists_ston(mtmp)) {
-                            if (vis)
-                                pline("%s turns to stone!", Monnam(mtmp));
-                            monstone(mtmp);
-                            /* might be life-saved if had a previous shape
-                               which was capable to putting on an amulet */
-                            if (DEADMONSTER(mtmp))
-                                ptr = (struct permonst *) 0;
-                        }
-                    } else if (heal) {
-                        mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
-                        mcureblindness(mtmp, canseemon(mtmp));
-                    }
-                    if (!ptr)
-                        return 2; /* it died */
-                }
+                m_consume_obj(mtmp, otmp);
+                if (DEADMONSTER(mtmp))
+                    return 2;
                 /* Left behind a pile? */
                 if (rnd(25) < 3)
                     (void) mksobj_at(ROCK, mtmp->mx, mtmp->my, TRUE, FALSE);
@@ -1252,7 +1271,7 @@ meatobj(struct monst* mtmp) /* for gelatinous cubes */
 {
     struct obj *otmp, *otmp2;
     struct permonst *ptr, *original_ptr = mtmp->data;
-    int poly, grow, heal, eyes, count = 0, ecount = 0, vis = canseemon(mtmp);
+    int count = 0, ecount = 0;
     char buf[BUFSZ], *otmpname;
 
     buf[0] = '\0';
@@ -1337,42 +1356,14 @@ meatobj(struct monst* mtmp) /* for gelatinous cubes */
                 if (otmp->oclass == SCROLL_CLASS
                     && objdescr_is(otmp, "YUM YUM"))
                     pline("Yum%c", otmp->blessed ? '!' : '.');
-                if (otmp->otyp == CORPSE)
-                    mon_givit(mtmp, &mons[otmp->corpsenm]);
             } else {
                 Soundeffect(se_slurping_sound, 30);
                 if (Verbose(2, meatobj2))
                     You_hear("a slurping sound.");
             }
-            /* Heal up to the object's weight in hp */
-            if (mtmp->mhp < mtmp->mhpmax) {
-                mtmp->mhp += objects[otmp->otyp].oc_weight;
-                if (mtmp->mhp > mtmp->mhpmax)
-                    mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
-            }
-            if (Has_contents(otmp))
-                meatbox(mtmp, otmp);
-            /* possibility of being turned to stone or into slime can't
-               reach here (don't touch for cockatrice corpse, engulf rather
-               than eat for tin, cockatrice egg, or glob of green slime) */
-            poly = polyfodder(otmp);
-            grow = mlevelgain(otmp);
-            heal = mhealup(otmp);
-            eyes = (otmp->otyp == CARROT);
-            delobj(otmp); /* munch */
-            ptr = mtmp->data;
-            if (poly) {
-                if (newcham(mtmp, (struct permonst *) 0,
-                            vis ? NC_SHOW_MSG : NO_NC_FLAGS))
-                    ptr = mtmp->data;
-            } else if (grow) {
-                ptr = grow_up(mtmp, (struct monst *) 0);
-            } else if (heal) {
-                mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
-            }
-            if ((eyes || heal) && !mtmp->mcansee)
-                mcureblindness(mtmp, canseemon(mtmp));
+            m_consume_obj(mtmp, otmp);
             /* in case it polymorphed or died */
+            ptr = mtmp->data;
             if (ptr != original_ptr)
                 return !ptr ? 2 : 1;
         }
@@ -1400,7 +1391,6 @@ meatcorpse(
 {
     struct obj *otmp;
     struct permonst *ptr, *original_ptr = mtmp->data, *corpsepm;
-    boolean poly, grow, heal, eyes = FALSE, vis = canseemon(mtmp);
     coordxy x = mtmp->mx, y = mtmp->my;
 
     /* if a pet, eating is handled separately, in dog.c */
@@ -1448,28 +1438,9 @@ meatcorpse(
                 You_hear("a masticating sound.");
         }
 
-        mon_givit(mtmp, &mons[otmp->corpsenm]);
-
-        /* [should include quickmimic but can't handle that unless this
-           gets changed to set mtmp->meating] */
-        poly = polyfodder(otmp);
-        grow = mlevelgain(otmp);
-        heal = mhealup(otmp);
-        eyes = (otmp->otyp == CARROT); /*[always false since not a corpse]*/
-        ptr = original_ptr;
-        delobj(otmp);
-        if (poly) {
-            if (newcham(mtmp, (struct permonst *) 0,
-                        vis ? NC_SHOW_MSG : NO_NC_FLAGS))
-                ptr = mtmp->data;
-        } else if (grow) {
-            ptr = grow_up(mtmp, (struct monst *) 0);
-        } else if (heal) {
-            mtmp->mhp = mtmp->mhpmax;
-        }
-        if ((eyes || heal) && !mtmp->mcansee)
-            mcureblindness(mtmp, canseemon(mtmp));
+        m_consume_obj(mtmp, otmp);
         /* in case it polymorphed or died */
+        ptr = mtmp->data;
         if (ptr != original_ptr)
             return !ptr ? 2 : 1;