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!