Does your dog consume each meal as though it hadn’t had any in months? Our canine companions frequently eat whole, without even taking a single bite and without tasting or enjoying the flavors of their food.
It is possible to prevent your dog from eating too quickly, which will be very good for their health. We’ve looked at what can make a dog eat quickly, the problems it can cause, and some advice on how to slow them down.
Why does my dog gulp its food so quickly?
an underlying illness?
It can be simple to assume that our dogs are only greedy and seek to consume the greatest amount of food in the quickest amount of time. Although there may be some truth to this in some circumstances, there is frequently a deeper cause for your dog’s rapid eating. Some medical illnesses, such as Cushing’s disease, can significantly increase hunger due to a hormonal imbalance. If your dog is already receiving treatment for a condition, it’s possible that the medication they are taking is to blame. Increased hunger and an unusual feeding speed can also be caused by internal parasites.
Are they competing with other dogs?
Fast feeding can frequently be attributed to competitiveness with other dogs in the home or from a prior residence. When they are all fed from the same bowl at the same time, your dog may feel the need to wolf down as much of their food as they can before other dogs eat more than their fair portion or that they need to steal it from another dog.
Is it in their genes?
Your dog’s tendency to eat quickly may have its roots in a time when animals had to fend for themselves. The natural instinct has persisted within generations of dogs that think it entirely normal to eat as much as they can in the shortest amount of time since if they didn’t eat rapidly, they stood the risk of not eating at all.
Is eating too fast dangerous for my dog?
Choking hazard
Every meal can be problematic for your dog if they eat too rapidly, and in extreme situations, it can even be dangerous. Your dog won’t likely be chewing every bite, putting them at risk of choking, which might obviously be lethal if you can’t open their airway. Your dog may become ill from eating too quickly, which will make them hungry again soon after, starting a vicious cycle.
Painful digestion
Food might have a difficult time moving down the digestive track if it is not chewed sufficiently, becoming trapped and causing severe discomfort. Eating too rapidly and taking in too much air with the food can also contribute to bloating. If you let it go on, this can be excruciatingly painful and lead to long-term problems. It could result in your dog experiencing excruciating wind, which would be uncomfortable for both of you.
It can harm oral health
Eating without chewing might potentially negatively affect your dog’s dental health. To maintain the teeth healthy and the jaw strong, the simple act of chewing food, such as kibble, frequently helps to avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar. Without it, your dog may develop gum disease and toothaches, which would result in unpleasant dental work and hefty vet fees.
How can I stop my dog from eating too fast?
Supervision is key
If your dog consistently consumes food too quickly, it’s crucial to keep an eye on them. If you keep an eye on them, you may notice hints as to why they are speed eating, such as the movement of another dog toward their bowl in an apparent attempt to steal food. It will also give you the chance to step in if they are having difficulty swallowing in their agitated state, allowing you to take away their bowl and replace it after they have calmed down. Separate any canines that appear to be distracting one another or to be competing for food. In order to let them choose their own pace and have time to chew properly, it is frequently advisable to allow them some room.
Reduce your dogs food
You might try limiting how much food you feed your dog at one sitting. This might enable them to begin appreciating it a little more and teach them not to stress that it needs to be consumed all at once.
Try a slow feeder bowl
Feeding your dog from a slow feeder dish is a great technique to stop them from eating too quickly. By pushing your dog to eat at a slower, more natural rate without gulping excess air, this can gradually establish improved feeding habits in them. Slow feeder bowls, also known as slow release or anti-gulping bowls, are created from food-safe materials and feature a variety of imaginative and interactive shapes that can add fun to mealtimes as the child carefully makes their way around the outside of the bowl to complete it.
