Many dogs are quite rapid eaters. They scarf down their food in an instant–it feels like you turn away for just a second or two and they’re already done. While it may seem impressive, your dog’s eating so quickly can be harmful to him.
Gobbling up their food in the span of a few seconds understandably increases the likelihood that your dog will choke. They may also gag or vomit if the food hits their stomach too quickly. Additionally, when a dog swallows food rapidly, they are also swallowing a significant amount of air. In small amounts, some air in their stomach just makes them burp; however, a lot of air causes their stomach to expand and twist in their abdomen. This life-threatening condition caused by your dog’s eating is called “bloat” that is not easily fixed. If you notice your dog is pacing or retching with a distended belly, call your vet immediately.
Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can help prevent bloat and slow down your pup’s eating for their safety and for your peace of mind. Many of these methods are also mentally-stimulating for dogs, since they require some puzzle solving skills to access the food.
- Just add water: A bowl of dry kibbles is easy for dogs to gulp; when ½ – 1” of water is added, it slows most pups down considerably. They have to lap at the food and work a bit harder to get the kibbles. This is also a great way to help keep your dog well-hydrated.
- Slow feeders work like a charm: There are many different slow feeders on the market, but they all serve the same purpose–they spread food out and make it just a little bit harder for your dog to grab, thereby slowing down their eating. Most resemble a maze that you pour the food into, but you can even make a quick slow feeder yourself at home. Simply get two different sized bowls, and set the smaller one upside-down in the larger. This spreads out the kibble when you pour it into the big bowl and prevents your pup from taking huge bites.
- Puzzle feeders: These turn mealtime into a fun, engaging game. There are many different styles to choose from, depending on what interests your dog. For example, some hide the kibbles under blocks that need to be moved or slid out of the way, while others are like hamster balls and dispense a few kibbles at a time as they are knocked around. Some, usually called “snuffle mats”, have many bits of fabric sewn onto a mat. You hide the kibbles amongst the fabric so that your pup needs to use their nose to sniff out each bite. Don’t have a puzzle toy on hand, but want to try it out? You can easily make one with everyday items like a metal muffin tin or an empty paper towel tube. The muffin tin forces your pup to take breaks and find leftover kibble pieces, while folding the ends of a paper towel tube filled with kibble gives your dog something fun to tear up before getting to their meal (just make sure they aren’t ingesting any of the cardboard).
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training is here to help with obedience training and any of your dog’s behaviors which concern you. If you are a dog owner in the Sarasota, Bradenton or Parrish area, call today!
