Some dogs are true magicians: you put down the food bowl , and in just a few seconds, they make the contents disappear!
Joking aside, some dogs tend to eat their kibble very quickly . Too quickly, even. Which, as you can imagine, can be harmful to their digestive system.
But if your dog eats too fast, how can you regulate his intake? Taking away his food bowl every two seconds might only make him want to eat even faster, for fear of being deprived …
Fortunately, there are many tips to regulate your dog's overeating while respecting their hunger. Here are 7 tips to teach your dog to eat more slowly!
Why does my dog eat too fast?
In practical terms, the dog is the proud descendant of the wolf . Now, since wolves live in packs, they are known for eating their food very quickly. Why? Simply out of fear of not having enough, or of having their meal stolen by other members of their pack.
It's possible your dog inherited this primitive trait, especially if it was raised in a group ( which is still a very good thing for socialization) . But it could also simply be due to its love of food !
In any case, this rapid eating syndrome ( more commonly known as "gluttony" ) isn't exactly fun. In fact, it can have impacts on your pet's health.
My dog eats too fast: what are the risks to his health?
As you might expect, if your dog eats too quickly, it risks choking . By taking in too much food at once, it may not be able to swallow it all and could aspirate .
Besides choking, dogs prone to overeating can also suffer from gastric torsion ( bloat). This condition begins with a swelling of the stomach, which becomes so large that it eventually twists on itself . Blood circulation is then restricted, which can lead to organ failure and even internal bleeding.
A syndrome to be taken very seriously: if your dog has a swollen belly, seems to be in a lot of pain, is panting and is lying on its side, go to a veterinarian immediately.
Less dramatically, dogs that eat too quickly can also suffer from being overweight . This, as you know, can have consequences for their quality of life, starting with the development of joint pain.
In short: as you've probably gathered, when a dog eats quickly, you need to teach it to regulate its food intake. But how exactly do you do that?
7 tips to help your dog eat more slowly
If your dog eats quickly, it could mean you need to retrain his relationship with food. So, whatever you do, don't start depriving him or reducing his meals : that will only make the problem worse.
BFPetfood gives you 7 tips to teach your dog to eat more slowly, while respecting its nutritional needs.
1 – Use a slow-feeder bowl
The first tip is to invest in a bowl specifically designed to slow down the rate of consumption, such as a LickMat .
Nicely nicknamed anti-gulping bowls , they feature reliefs or spiral patterns , which force your dog to be patient and use its tongue and lips to search for the kibble .
Since he can no longer take large bites , he will learn to find the kibble. And therefore, to enjoy it!
🐶 BFPetfood's tip:
If your dog is not yet familiar with the concept of a slow-feeder bowl , supervise him during the first few meals to make sure he understands how it works.
2 – Divide meals into small portions
As we mentioned, reducing mealtimes to slow your dog's eating pace isn't a healthy option. However, you can certainly divide meals into several smaller portions!
For example, instead of giving him 100 grams of kibble in the morning and 100 grams in the evening, try giving him 50 grams of kibble four times a day. This way, you maintain the same amount of nutrients ; you just distribute them differently.
Feeding your dog smaller, more frequent meals will already help his digestion , making it easier: your dog will absorb nutrients better. In addition, regularly showing him that he has enough food can help him self-regulate !
3 – Moisten your dog's kibble
Another solution to make your dog eat its kibble more slowly: moisten it ! Add a little water to the bowl before serving it to your pooch.
Soaked in water, the kibble will take up more space and lose its crunch , forcing your companion to chew thoroughly before swallowing.
However, don't do this at every meal: a few times a week will be enough to teach him to eat more slowly . The goal isn't to make him dislike the good cold-pressed kibble you buy him!
4 – Leave its food bowl available, even between meals
If your dog eats quickly because he's afraid of going hungry, try to take the pressure off mealtimes. For example, if he associates the absence of his food bowl with the absence of food, his fear is likely to be reinforced.
So don't hesitate to always leave a food bowl available for your pet. Even if it's empty, it will provide reassurance . If stressed, your pet will be able to return to its bowl. Seeing that it's there will help it understand that it will get its meal at the same time every day.
This creates a new automatic response , which limits food-related anxieties.
5 – Raise your dog's food bowl
Another trick (which works particularly well with large dogs ) is to raise the food bowl . Of course, the idea isn't to put it out of your dog's reach. Simply raise it a few centimeters to change its posture while it eats.
If he has to keep his head straight to eat his kibble, he'll have to change position to swallow it. This will naturally force him to pause before resuming chewing !
In addition, raising your dog's food bowl can aid digestion : the position of the bowl can be a source of digestive problems in dogs . Some studies show that keeping the head upright limits stomach muscle contractions and promotes more natural eating .
🐶 BFPetfood's tip:
In any case, these 7 tips are general guidelines that won't work for every dog. So feel free to try them one at a time and observe your dog's reactions ! He'll be the best person to tell you what he likes and what he doesn't.
6 – Vary its diet with wet food
The 6th tip is quite practical: did you know that the texture of food can influence the speed at which your dog eats?
Some dogs eat dry kibble more quickly than soft or wet food. Adjusting the texture of their food can therefore be an effective way to slow down their eating pace ! And don't forget that introducing new foods is always a good idea. Invest in some wet dog food to add some moisture to their daily kibble.
To do this, alternate meals between kibble and wet food , according to your dog's preferences and needs. Observe their reaction and adjust the proportions until you achieve a satisfactory eating pattern !
7 – Have a snack with chewable treats
Finally, the last tip to try if you notice your dog is eating too fast is to offer him a little " appetizer " before his meal. The idea is simple: before serving his kibble or wet food, give him a small treat that will encourage him to chew.
For example, you can invest in strips of dried meat , which you can give him just before his kibble ration . The strips are harder to chew than kibble ( and can't be swallowed whole ). This will put your dog in a good frame of mind: not only because he'll have already had something to eat, but also because he'll have learned the habit of chewing his food.
A great solution to encourage him to eat more slowly!
My dog eats too fast: don't panic!
If you notice, during mealtimes, that your dog is eating too fast, don't worry. This happens to almost all dogs.
And above all, there are very simple solutions to implement, while respecting one's needs and food fears.
But keep in mind that your companion is in the best position to identify what they need, what they like, and what they don't. Be observant and learn to decipher their body language. Sometimes, turning mealtimes into a relaxing moment can make all the difference.
Stay tuned to your dog!
