How to get your dog to not eat so fast

Category:

As Seen With - Cathy Rosenthal

Encourage Kindness to Animals!

Highly-acclaimed children's books for your child or organization

How to get your dog to not eat so fast

How to get your dog to not eat so fast

Does your dog rush to eat his food? Does he or she practically inhale the food rather then chew and swallow?

If it only takes a few seconds for your dog to woof down his dinner each night, there are ways to slow him down so he is not as at risk of bloat  — a condition where a dog’s stomach dilates and then rotates or twists and can be fatal. Large dogs and barrel-chested dogs are most at risk, but any dog who inhales their food could benefit from eating a slower pace.

Here are a few things to try.

  • Add a little water to your dog’s dry food. It’s hard to chew and slurp at the same time.
  • Add a ball or toy that is small enough for the food bowl, but large enough that it can’t be swallowed by your dog. Your dog will have to eat around the toys, which will slow his pace.
  • Flip a smaller bowl upside down into the larger food bowl, then add the food, which is now confined to the narrow space between the bowls. Your dog will have to take smaller bites.
  • Another way to do these last two things is to purchase a slow-feeding bowl. Bows like the BrakeFast Bowl, the Pet SkidStop Slow Feed Pet Bowl and the Slow Fedder Pet Bowl all compartmentalize and separate food to slow down rapid eaters. It’s amazing how well these bowls work to slow down fast eaters.
  • Put half of your dog’s food in the bowl and half in a Kong so that your dog has to work for some of his dinner. It’s good for your dog’s mental health to solve problems.

Pet Pundit Pet Tip: Fast-eating dogs are often aggressive around their food, so also train him to be patient around his food dish. Check out this post for more information on how to do just that.

Send your pet tips, stories and questions to cathy@petpundit.com.

 

Was this article helpful? Share with others!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Reality of Getting Long Lived Pets for Kids

By Cathy M. Rosenthal Dear Cathy, My daughter got a red-eared slider for her 7th birthday. She’s now eight-years-old. Should […]

Pets as Gifts: To Give or Not to Give – A More Thoughtful Approach

By Cathy M. Rosenthal Tis the season for giving, and for some, the idea of giving a pet as a […]

Thanksgiving and Pets: Gratitude, Boundaries, and a Little Extra Planning

by Cathy M. Rosenthal Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, share a meal, and reflect on all […]
DSC_4602

Cathy Rosenthal (aka The Pet Pundit), CHES, CFE

Animal Welfare Communications Specialist

Cathy brings more than 35 years' experience in the animal welfare field. She is a sought-after speaker, Certified Humane Education Specialist, a syndicated pet advice columnist, an author, a publisher, and of course - a loving pet parent.
Read more about Cathy here or check out her Non-Profit's page to see more ways she can help you and your organization.

Scroll to Top