Many dog owners struggle with getting their dogs to slow down while eating. Dogs tend to inhale their food, which can lead to digestive issues like bloat or vomiting. Slowing down your dog’s eating speed can help prevent these problems. There are several tricks you can try adding to your dog’s bowl to encourage them to eat more slowly. The key is finding items that are safe and that your individual dog responds well to. With some experimentation, you can find the right solution to slow your dog’s fast eating.
Why Do Dogs Eat So Fast?
There are several reasons why dogs tend to bolt down their meals:
- In the wild, dogs needed to eat as much as possible as quickly as possible before another animal came along and stole their food. This instinct remains strong in domestic dogs.
- Some dogs are simply very food motivated. The smell and taste of food excites them, so they gulp it down.
- Eating fast can be a learned behavior. If your dog has learned that gulping food results in getting more food or treats, they will continue this habit.
- Anxiety or stress can cause fast eating. The dog wants to relieve stress by quickly finishing the meal.
- Competition with other pets may cause them to eat rapidly so they can get as much food as possible.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that many dogs could benefit from encouragement to slow down their eating pace. Rushing through meals can lead to problems.
Health Risks of Fast Eating
It’s not just unpleasant to watch your dog vacuum up their food; it can also be dangerous for their health. Potential risks include:
- Bloat – When a dog swallows large amounts of air along with their food, it can cause the stomach to expand and twist. This is a life-threatening emergency.
- Vomiting – Inhaling food can lead to the dog’s stomach becoming irritated and ejecting the food back up.
- Choking – Trying to eat too much too fast could cause a piece of kibble to become lodged in the throat.
- Obesity – When dogs gulp their food, it passes through the stomach quickly without the brain recognizing fullness. This can lead to overeating.
- Gas – Gulping air while eating can cause flatulence, burping, and stomach pains.
For these reasons, it’s wise to take steps to slow down your dog when they are eating. The good news is there are many techniques and products that can help.
Tips to Slow Down Your Dog’s Eating
Here are some simple tricks you can try adding to your dog’s bowl to encourage them to eat more slowly:
Add Water
Adding water to your dog’s kibble or canned food is a easy way to slow down gulpers. The water softens the food, making your dog chew more before swallowing. Start by adding just a bit of water and increase the amount until your dog eats at an acceptable pace. Too much water can make mealtime messy if your dog tends to dribble and spill.
Use a Specially Designed Bowl
There are bowls on the market designed specifically to slow down fast eaters. Often called puzzle feeders or slow feed bowls, these have mazes, ridges, or obstructions built into the bowl design that force the dog to navigate around them to get the food. This adds time and makes them work for their food. Look for a bowl suited to your dog’s size and snout shape.
Scatter Kibble
Scatter your dog’s kibble across a cookie sheet or flat plate rather than dumping it in a bowl. This spreads it out so they can’t scarf it down quickly. You can also hide small piles around the room or yard to turn meals into a fun hunting game. Just be sure to pick up any uneaten food before bugs find it.
Place Large Rocks in the Bowl
Add a few clean rocks or marbles to your dog’s bowl to take up space. Your dog will have to eat around them, which creates a barrier and forces them to slow down. Only use rocks big enough that your dog cannot possibly swallow them. Smooth river rocks are a good option.
Give Food Dispensing Toys
There are food dispensing toys on the market designed to make dogs work to get kibble out little by little. As they roll and bat the toys around, bits of food come out. This keeps them engaged and entertained while slowing down their eating. Dispensing toys are great for pets who tend to gobble down food when bored.
Try a Specialty Feeder
As mentioned above, there are many specially designed slow feed dog bowls. But there are also other specialty feeders like treat balls and wobbling dishes that control the speed kibble comes out. These all provide mental stimulation along with slowing down eating. Find one that looks fun and durable for your heavy chewing pup.
Break Treats into Tiny Pieces
Giving your dog a whole treat tends to lead to immediate gulping down of the morsel. Breaking treats into tiny pea-sized bits allows you to reward good behavior while preventing inhaling food. You can hand feed the bits to help reinforce training. This gives your dog time to taste and chew each bit.
Add Puzzle Feeders
Another option is a puzzle feeder, which requires your dog to solve a puzzle or challenge to release kibble bit by bit. As they roll, slide, or otherwise manipulate the toy, small amounts of food come out. This keeps your dog engaged and slows down their eating.
Use a Kong
Stuffing your dog’s daily ration of food into a Kong toy can make mealtimes last longer. As they work to extract the food, they are kept busy and entertained. Make it more challenging by wedging a piece of kibble to block the small opening. Freeze the Kong for extra longevity.
Mix with Canned Food
If your dog is used to just gulping down dry kibble, try adding some canned dog food. The texture and aroma entices dogs to slow down and savor the meal. Gradually decrease the amount of wet food as your dog learns to slow down.
Ingredients to Avoid
While some additions can help slow down your dog, other items may harm your pet. Avoid putting the following ingredients in your dog’s bowl:
- Chocolate or grapes – These foods can be toxic to dogs.
- Rawhide or bones – Choking hazards.
- Medications – Never give your dog medicine without consulting your vet on proper dosing.
- Sugar-free foods – Xylitol sweetener can be deadly to dogs.
- Onions or garlic – These contain compounds that can damage dog’s red blood cells.
- Macadamia nuts – Can cause tremors and hyerthermia in dogs.
- Yeast dough – The rising dough can swell in your dog’s stomach and require surgery.
- Corn cobs – These can splinter and block intestines.
Stick to dog-safe, non-toxic foods for any meal additions. When in doubt, check with your veterinarian.
Tips for Transitioning Your Dog
If your dog is used to gobbling food, it may take some time and consistency to retrain them to slow down. Here are some tips for transitioning a fast eater:
- Gradually introduce slowing methods – Start with just a small amount of water added or a few rocks in the bowl. Over days or weeks, increase to the desired amount.
- Feed smaller meals – Give your dog’s daily ration divided into at least 2 or 3 meals rather than one large portion.
- Use mealtime games and toys – Engage their brains while they eat to shift focus.
- Exercise before meals – A brisk walk before eating can help take the edge off their hunger.
- Restrict access to 1 bowl – Feed multiple dogs in separate rooms to reduce competition.
- Reward calm behavior – Give treats when they eat slowly and refrain from gulping.
- Consider an elevated bowl – Elevating the bowl can help reduce air intake.
- Add variety – Switch up additions like toys and puzzles to prevent boredom.
With time and consistency, you should notice an improvement in your dog’s eating speed. But don’t hesitate to contact your vet if gulping persists despite efforts. In some cases, specialty bowls or feeders may be needed, or there could be an underlying health issue contributing to their behavior.
Signs Your Dog is Eating Too Fast
How can you tell if your dog would benefit from slowing down while eating? Watch for these warning signs:
- They finish meals in under a minute.
- They often regurgitate food right after eating.
- They make choking or gagging sounds when gulping food.
- They “inhale” food without chewing, even when very hungry.
- They have frequent gas, burping, or soft stools.
- Their belly looks swollen after eating.
- They won’t stop eating until the whole bowl is gone.
- They display food aggression like guarding bowls.
Any of these signs indicate your dog could use some help slowing down their eating. The good news is there are many options to try.
Benefits of Slow Feeding
Convinced it’s worthwhile to convert your dog from a fast eater to a slow eater? Here are some of the benefits:
- Prevents life-threatening cases of bloat.
- Reduces risk of regurgitation and vomiting.
- Avoids choking incidences.
- Improves digestion.
- Leads to better absorption of nutrients.
- Prevents gobbling of air which causes gas.
- Portions food intake over a longer time which prevents overeating.
- Reduces food aggression and resource guarding.
- Provides mental stimulation.
- Calms dogs who may eat fast due to stress.
The advantages definitely justify putting in the effort to transition fast eaters to a slower pace. Not only will you have a healthier, happier dog, mealtimes will become more pleasant for the whole family.
Choosing a Slow Feeder Product
If you want to purchase a product to help slow your dog’s eating, there are many options to choose from. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a commercial slow feeder:
- Durability – Pick a product made of sturdy materials that can withstand your dog’s jaws, chewing, and claws. Hard plastic or thick rubber works best for aggressive chewers.
- Capacity – Be sure the size suits the quantity your dog eats per meal. Know your dog’s recommended daily calorie intake.
- Adjustability – Some feeders allow you to increase or decrease the flow of food to customize the pace.
- Safety features – Blunted openings help prevent tongue entrapments. No small pieces that could come loose.
- Easy to clean – You want a product you can easily wash and keep germ-free.
- Engagement – Does the product keep your dog occupied and mentally stimulated, not just slowing eating?
- Cost – Fortunately, most slow feeder products are very affordable, under $20.
Taking these factors into account will help you select the perfect model to suit your dog. Be sure to introduce any new product gradually to allow your dog time to adjust.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many dogs tend to eat too quickly, which can lead to numerous health problems. Thankfully, dog owners have many options to help slow down their pet’s eating speed. Adding water, rocks or puzzle toys to their bowl, feeding smaller portions, and purchasing specialty bowls or feeders can encourage more moderate eating. Just be sure to avoid any unsafe ingredients. With patience and consistency using these techniques, you can train your dog to enjoy their food instead of inhaling it. The benefits of slower eating make it worth the effort to break the gulping habit. Your dog’s digestive system and overall health will thank you!