Do you notice that your dog eats their food at a lightning fast speed? To the point where you can’t even tell if they’re chewing or just inhaling their kibble? Don’t worry, you’re not alone - and there are plenty of cheap and efficient ways to help your pup slow down their eating habits.
Why Are They Eating So Fast?
In many cases, it is a learned behavior they picked up from puppy-hood, especially if they came from a large litter or if food was scarce and competition was high (often a common occurrence in strays). Some other causes could be health related, such as parasites, or something causing a lack of nutrition in their diet, like diabetes or hormone related problems. In these cases, a health check should be made with your local vet to rule out any of these suspicions. For other instances, some dogs slow down naturally over time and get over this behavior, whereas other dogs have to have a little help from their owners!
Is Eating Fast Bad For Them?
Yes, Eating fast can cause a number of health problems for your dog! One of the first dangers is that your dog could choke or gag on their food, and eventually lead to some immediate pain and discomfort for them. Consuming food this fast can also lead to an unhealthy amount of air in their stomach which can lead to vomiting, or in some cases, a serious condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus. In these instances, the stomach can twist and cause extreme pain, and even rupture, leading to a life-threatening medical emergency. Although these instances are rare, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
How Can I Make Them Slow Down?
First, make sure to eliminate all stressors around them when eating to make them feel more comfortable when eating. For multi-pet households, try feeding dogs in separate rooms or areas to get rid of any competitiveness they may be feeling. Another tip is to try offering smaller meals at more times of the day, so they don’t feel the need to wolf down a huge helping of food all at once, and so they are less hungry before the next meal.
Can I Train My Dog To Eat Slower?
Just like all tricks, training them can take some time, but has a great payoff in the long run. One way of training your dog to eat slower is to have food present, but only reward them when they are calm. Do not respond to them begging or whining, and wait until they leave the food or the area. The most important thing here is to build a calm relationship between your dog and food. Many dogs will get excited when they anticipate food, which leads to them eating faster. If this is the case, keep your dog out of the kitchen when preparing meals, and teach them to lay down calmly and wait for your OK before they can eat. Another way is to hand feed your dog, and only use their food when training them. Many people don’t have the luxury or patience to sit around and hand feed every meal, but it helps build a great relationship between owners and their dogs. Remember that depending on the dog, these methods could take some time before they can get the hang of it!
What If Training Doesn’t Work?
Don’t Worry! There are plenty of different ways that you can help your dog eat slower in the immediacy! Some of these options may require a little bit of time or money, but there are plenty of different ways to choose from. You can even mix them up or combine them for a fun and enriching meal time for your pup!
Slow Feeder Bowls
Slow feeder dog bowls are perfect for those dogs who have trouble consuming food. The mechanism behind a slow-feeding dog bowl is based on separation and segregation. These bowls are designed with barriers and elevations that break up the bowl's surface area, naturally making the dog eat slowly and at a leisurely pace. Slow-feeding dog bowls are usually made out of plastic, ceramic or stainless steel. When buying a slow-feeding bowl, keep in mind the durability needed and also the size of the bowl! (We’ve used Outward Hounds Slow Feeder Bowls for years, but we recently switched to this Iris Bowl after Oakley decided the bowls were her new chew toys!)
Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys come in a variety of shapes and styles. Some are flat puzzles that you can hide your dog’s food in where they have to flip and turn different knobs and what nots to access kibble compartments. One of the most popular ones are Nina Ottosen’s Puzzles that come in a variety of styles and difficulties. Others are hollow balls with different compartments that you can fill with their food so it slowly dispenses as they roll it around.
Freeze It!
This option takes a little more preparation, but you can do the equivalent of meal prepping for your pup! Use a dog safe container, or an enrichment toy, and fill with a blend of kibble, and different dog safe liquids like water, plain greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, or bone broth, then stick it in the freezer until mealtime! Just make sure that they don’t make a melty mess on the carpet! This option is great, especially to enjoy outside on a hot summer day!
DIY Slow Feeding
For a cheaper alternative, you can easily make your own slow feeder bowl or puzzle! You can simply put some large dog toys in their bowl so they have to maneuver around and eat their kibble that way. Or, you can spread out their kibble in a standard size muffin tin and top them with tennis balls, making them remove the balls and eat their food in portions. Lastly, you can lay out an old towel and spread the food out on it, then roll it up long ways and tie it in a knot so they have to slowly figure out how to get the kibble out.
Every dog is different, and will respond differently to each approach. Remember to be patient with your dog, and try different combinations to see what works best for the both of you! Soon enough, your pup will be calm enough to eat at the dinner table (fingers crossed!)