Fast Eating Dogs – Reasons Behind it & How to Slow Them Down
A fast eating dog can be a problem for many people, as it can bring many dangers to your pet.
This article will go over some of the potential reasons as to why they might be eating so fast, as well as give you some ways to help them slow down a bit.
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Why Are They Eating So Fast?
There are many reasons as to why your dog is such a fast eater. They might just really enjoy their food but here are a few more likely reasons:
1. A Past Experience
If you adopted a dog from a rescue or shelter, their history with food can play a big role regarding the speed they eat at. A lot of the time, their history might be unknown but it’s still a factor to consider. For example, a dog that was starving out on the streets would probably eat fast because they think they might never get food again.
2. Competition
If you have more than one dog, your fast-eating dog may feel they have to eat quickly to keep other dogs from snatching food from them. They also could have had to “compete” for food with their litter mates as a puppy. Consider feeding competitive eaters separately from other pets so they don’t feel the need to engulf their food.
3. An Underlying Illness
It’s possible that your dog may have an underlying condition that is causing them to feel excessively hungry. Conditions such as diabetes, parasites and Cushing’s syndrome can impact your dog and increase their appetite. Talk with your vet to see if this might be the issue. Treating the condition will hopefully return their appetite to normal and slow down their eating.
4. Poor Nutrition
Some dog foods aren’t well balanced and can cause your dog to eat fast. If you suspect that this may be the case with your dog, check with your vet to make sure your dog is getting the proper nutrients and consider asking for a recommendation for a high-quality food.
5. Irregular/Poor Feeding Schedule
A dog may exhibit fast eating due to an irregular/inconsistent feeding schedule from a previous owner, or possibly even you. This is because your dog has no way of knowing when they will be fed again. With a consistent schedule your dog knows around when they will be fed and won’t have to worry because they know that meal time isn’t that far away. If you realize that this may be the case for you, don’t worry! With time, care, and lots of love your dog may begin to slow down.
Problems With Eating To Fast
Fast eating can actually cause more harm than good to your pet. A few problems include:
- Your dog might be eating so fast that they barely chew up their food, therefore they will not get nutritional benefits of a good meal
- Speed eaters can suffer from multiple digestive problems. (This includes choking, gagging, burping, or vomiting)
- Your dog may get Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), which is a serious & life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.
- They may experience discomfort due to bloating (when a dog swallows a lot of air because of eating too quickly)
- Your canine friend may become overweight
*NOTE: If the reason for your dog’s fast eating isn’t clear, it’s a good idea to have them checked out by a vet, especially if it is a new behaviour!
Now that you have some background information, it’s time to give you some suggestions to solve it!
Slow Feeder Bowls
Slow feeder bowls are a very common choice among many dog owners who encounter this issue. They have built-in obstacles specifically designed to cause dogs to eat more slowly. They are suitable for dogs of all sizes and are available in a variety of colours and styles
Alternative: Place a smaller bowl upside down inside your dog’s regular dish and pour their food around it.
Hand Feed Them
This does create a bit more work for you, but it’s a good activity for bonding, training and slowing down the speed eater. If your dog is aggressive with food, you may not want to do this/take caution while feeding.
Food Puzzles
These products not only make your dog eat slower but also keeps them mentally-stimulated as they search and sniff out the tasty treats/kibble. There are a variety of styles of puzzles to choose from, try a few out to see which ones are the most fun for your furry little friend.
Snuffle Mat
The snuffle mat makes it a bit more difficult to get all the food at once, meaning your speed-eating dog will eat slower and improve digestion. On top of that, the snuffle mat has additional benefits such as encouraging natural foraging skills, releasing energy, relieving stress, and providing mental/physical stimulation to your pet. It’s machine washable, compactable, and some have a non-slip bottom.
Feed Them in Multiple Small Meals
Although this method doesn’t exactly slow down your pup, it does decrease the risk of bloating. Consider feeding your dog smaller portions 4–5 times a day rather than large meals just once or twice.
Interactive Food Ball
These are a 100% safe and durable toy for dogs that slows down eating by making them play to make the food spill out. Not only that but it promotes healthy feeding, increases IQ, and stops boredom. It is suitable for small and medium dogs but not suitable for aggressive large dogs so choose accordingly.
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