Reasons Why Dogs Eat Quickly
The reasons for rapid eating can range from natural instincts to anxiety and lack of proper feeding habits. To prevent these problems, it is recommended to feed dogs smaller, more frequent meals and to use slow-feed bowls or interactive feeders.
Instinctual Competition
As puppies, puppies often have to compete among the other puppies for access to their mom and for food in general. Even in a home with only one or two other dogs, your dog may inhale his food within seconds as a means to make sure that no other animal will take it away from him.
No Schedule
Similar to many people, dogs thrive on a schedule. They come to know precisely when to expect their meals and even look forward to it. If dogs aren’t fed on a schedule, they could be devouring their food specifically for that reason. They may be extra hungry or unsure of when their next meal will come. This problem usually corrects itself once you begin to put them on a schedule of regular meal times.
Hunger
One plain and simple reason that dogs eat fast is that they’re hungry! There are many different reasons why dogs may be so incredibly hungry. Dogs with parasites may act hungrier than dogs without parasites. This is because the parasites are essentially sucking all of their nutrition, which leaves the dog very hungry.
Some underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or Diabetes may also cause dogs to act incredibly hungry. This is because their bodily systems aren’t functioning correctly, and they become hungrier quite quickly. Some diseases even impact their metabolism rate, which will cause them always to act hungry.
Why Is This a Problem?
Eating too fast is actually a problem for most dogs. First off, it’s quite uncomfortable and can lead many dogs having regurgitation problems.
If dogs inhale their food as quickly as possible, they also have the risk of inhaling something that they could choke on. This can be life-threatening if the dog ends up getting something wedged in their throat.
Bloat is a serious and life-threatening condition which can happen when a dog sucks in a lot of air from eating too quickly. The air in the stomach and the amount of food can cause major problems for the dog. The stomach then expands, which is known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in dogs. This increases the risk that the stomach can twist, and this is an immediately life-threatening condition. While bloat is most common in large dogs with deep chests, it has happened in smaller dogs as well.
How to Slow Down a Fast-Eating Dog
Simply put, a dog eating too quickly isn’t only uncomfortable for the dog, but it can also be unsafe. It’s best to slow your dog down when eating as much as possible. There are three main ways to slow down a fast eater.
- Feed smaller amounts more frequently. Having smaller meals decreases the risk of bloat in dogs, and it’s often a more comfortable experience for your dog. This is also easier on the dog’s digestive system. Feeding two meals is standard, but if you want to try this method to slow your dog down, try feeding him 3-5 small meals a few hours apart.
- Use a slow feeder bowl. There are many different types of slow feeder bowls on the market. These bowls are made with different raised designs, so your dog has to work around the design to eat his food. These are readily available, affordable, and easy to clean.
- Use puzzle toys and treat dispensing toys. Feeding your dog his meals in a puzzle toy or a treat dispensing toy is one of the best options for your dog. This provides mental enrichment and really encourages your dog to think and problem solve. Additionally, these kinds of puzzles and toys often are intended to keep your dog busy for some time. If you’re having a family dinner with guests, you can keep your dog occupied with his dinner in another room.
Conclusion
There are many reasons that your dog may eat his food so fast, but it’s never a healthy or safe thing. You should always try to encourage your dog to eat as slowly as possible. Offering your dog smaller, more frequent meals will likely help. In addition, offering your dog his meals in a puzzle toy or treat-dispensing toy will be beneficial to your dog in multiple ways. Not only will it be good to slow down his eating, but it will also provide him with mental stimulation and entertainment.
