How To Slow Down Dog Eating? As you know, dogs eat their food as soon as it touches the ground. Overeating, however, can lead to health problems. In many cases, owners wish that their dog took its time eating rather than gobbling it down in a matter of seconds, which is a frequent behavioral issue they experience with their dogs. Some dogs eat like they’re competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is dangerous and there’s no real reason to do it. Everything comes down to whether it were born with a high food drive or learned a particular behavior at a young age.
There may have been a rivalry for food among puppies from huge litters. Hoarding dogs or dogs who are fed or are also at risk of developing food-guarding and speed-eating habits. Some dogs only fast when they’re with another canine companion. Despite this, the vast majority of these piglets dive right in since they find feeding to be so pleasurable. Most people are able to grasp differing views on food because it’s a universal human trait: some individuals eat a lot and eat quickly, while others prefer to eat slowly and enjoy their food.
Problems Associated With A Dog Eating Too Fast
Digestive Issues
Digestive issues, such as choking, gagging, burping, vomiting, and regurgitation, are common in fast eaters. Despite the fact that most of these issues may be resolved on their own, there are those that are more problematic.
Volvulus Of The Gastric Diaphragm (GDV)
Bloat, or GDV, is a life-threatening illness that necessitates rapid emergency treatment and is the most dangerous. The Great Dane, Standard Poodle, and many other huge and giant breeds, who are all susceptible to GDV, should never be let swallow up their food.
Stomach Bloat
It’s not as bad as GDV, but it can happen if a ravenous eater consumes an entire bag of kibble or a tempting treat, like two loaves of bread. All you would-be bakers, take note: The dangers of rising bread dough are especially high. Real gastric dilatation (GDV) and food bloat in dogs will be treated as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
Ways To Slow Down Dog Eating
Bowls For Slow-Feeding
Slow-feed dog bowls are widely available for dogs who eat too quickly and come in a variety of brands. If you have a dog that has this character, you may want to check out the product’s reviews to see if other people have had good results with it. To create a slow-feeder bowl for feeding your dog, use two bowls. A bowl one or two times larger than your dog’s regular dish should be placed on the ground flat, and then your dog’s regular dish should be placed upside down inside of the larger bowl. You’ll be able to fill the space between the two bowls with your dog’s food. Dogs have to eat at a slower pace since they can’t take gulps of food because the spacing is too small.
Food Puzzles
Another great approach to slow down your dog’s eating is to use food puzzle toys, such as this one. As with slow-feeders, they have nooks and crevices in which your dog’s food can fit, preventing your dog from gulping down enormous amounts of food. There are a variety of puzzles to choose from, ranging from ones that sit on the ground to ones that distribute treats while your dog plays with them.
Muffin Pan Or Cookie Sheet
If you offer kibble to your dog, spread it out on a cookie sheet to make it more difficult for him to swallow huge amounts of food. Your dog will eat more slowly since he will have to take small nibbles and pick up a lot of bits with his tongue (which takes a long time). In the same way, using a muffin pan is the same. You can use the full muffin pan if you use just a tiny bit of food in each cup. Even if your dog’s muzzle can reach the cups, the meal will be split to prevent excessive gulping.
How To Slow Down Dog Eating? – Hand Feed
Hand feeding is a favorite pastime for some dogs. Training time can double as dinner time for dogs whose owners don’t have the luxury of sitting down and feeding them by hand. Use your dog’s usual food as a treat during training sessions, whether they are for obedience or anything else. Consider developing a variety of food gimmicks and taking baby steps in the process. Since he won’t be able to inhale enormous amounts of food, this makes mealtime fun and safe for your dog.
Several Snack-Sized Meals
Instead of once or twice a day, consider feeding your dog 4–5 times a day. You reduce the danger of bloat, even if your dog continues to eat at a rapid pace.
How To Slow Down Dog Eating? – Freeze
By making them more resilient, freezing foods like chews can extend their shelf life. This is a great tool for chewing things like chicken feet and steer pizzly! Without compromising the food’s nutritious value, freezing hardens it. Your dog’s chew or meal will gradually defrost while he or she chews on it. Freeze-dried vegetables and ice cubes are wonderful for most dogs, but particularly sensitive stomachs may have an adverse reaction to the temperature shift. For teething puppies, freezing is an excellent technique to calm aching gums!
How Often Should I Feed My Dog?
This is how to slow down dog eating. No matter what the size or breed of your dog is, we recommend twice-daily feedings. In case of bloating risk or history, dogs should eat several times a day. If your dog has eaten, he should rest for an hour or two. Your dog’s hunger may be caused by his digestive system not being able to absorb nutrients and vitamins from the food he eats. Your vet can help you rule out any underlying medical issues. In cases where the problem is not medical, a behaviorist can help if you’re having trouble resolving the problem on your own or with the help of other people.
