How to Slow Your Dog Down at Meal Times

Does your dog wolf down their food? 

At meal times, do you often wonder whether your dog even chewed? Some dogs eat really fast, and while this may seem harmless enough, it can actually lead to trouble. Dogs who eat quickly swallow more air than dogs who take their time, and unfortunately, this can increase a dog’s risk for a very serious (sometimes fatal) condition, called gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). There is also a link between eating quickly and type 2 diabetes and obesity.

In order to get your dog to slow down at meal times, you need to understand why they are eating so fast in the first place! Here are a few reasons why your dog could be eating quickly, as well as some ideas to help your dog eat slower:

Are you feeding your dog often enough? 

Do you feed your dog just once throughout the day? If so, your dog might be bolting down food because they are hungry! Rather than feeding your dog a single meal once a day, try feeding them a few small meals throughout the day.

Is your dog’s food nutrient and calorie dense?

Dogs, just like people, need food that is is full of calories and nutrients to feel full. If your dog’s food contains a lot of filler, try feeding them dog food that is high in fiber. Some dogs will start to slow down when their food is more satisfying.

Are there other dogs around at meal times? 

Dogs tend to eat quickly when there are other dogs around because they don’t want any competition for their food. If you have more than one dog in your home, try putting them in separate rooms at meal times.

Our veterinarian in Levittown has just a few more tips to help you slow your dog down at meal times. Stay tuned for our next blog to learn more.

In our last blog, our veterinary clinic in North Merrick talked about how eating too quickly can be dangerous for your dog. We also talked about a few reasons why your dog might be eating too quickly and what to do about it. If you’ve tried all of our suggestions, and you still can’t pinpoint a specific reason why your dog is eating fast, it might be time to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian. There are some diseases that can cause dogs to become perpetually hungry. Once we’ve ruled out possible diseases, we can assume that your dog just has a behavioral quirk. If this is the case, the following list of tips will help your dog to slow down at meal times:

#1. Try a slow feed bowl.

Slow feed bowls are specialized dog bowls that come with built-in obstacles to slow your dog down as they eat.

#2. Use a cupcake pan.

Rather than feeding your dog in a regular dog bowl, try feeding them in a cupcake pan! The small, individual sections will help to slow your dog down.

#3. Try a food puzzle toy.

Puzzle toys are a great idea for fast eaters because they not only force dogs to slow down while they eat, but they also challenge their brains and help them to develop their cognitive skills.

#4. Put tennis balls in your dog’s food bowl.

Placing tennis balls in your dog’s food bowl will force your dog to move the balls around in order to get to their food.

Do you have any questions or concerns about your dogs eating habits? Contact us today!