Speedy Dog Eating: Tips to Slow Down Your Pup's Meal Ti
Why Do Some Dogs Eat So Fast?
Competition: If a dog comes from a kennel or has a large litter of siblings, you can expect it to eat at a rapid pace. This is because puppyhood is a time when the instinct to compete for food is deeply ingrained in their genes. Responsible breeders often ensure that each puppy gets its fair share of milk to prevent any one pup from dominating the food supply.
Left unchecked, the larger, more robust pups in a litter will end up with more food resources, growing bigger and stronger, while the smaller, weaker pups may become even smaller and thinner due to their lack of access to sufficient nourishment.
Moreover, many dogs eat quickly due to experiences from their early lives.
Inconsistent Feeding Times: Dogs can become hungry 8 to 10 hours after eating. If they're not fed on a regular schedule, their eating speed tends to increase over time, as they never know when their next meal will come. They'll scarf down food now, just in case it's their last chance to eat.
Disease: There are various illnesses that can cause dogs to overeat, such as Cushing's disease, which is often mentioned in discussions about dogs. Dogs with a high load of parasites in their intestines, especially puppies, can become extremely frantic during meals.
But what dangers are associated with eating too fast?
As we know, each breed has its own set of genetic disorders. For instance, Dobermans are prone to gastric torsion. If you've ever seen a dog suffering from this condition, you'd likely agree that eating too fast can be harmful to dogs. While some lucky dogs may survive, many suffer from longterm consequences. Unfortunately, the majority of dogs with gastric torsion do not receive timely treatment and may die as a result.
Another condition caused by eating too fast is bloat.
Bloat occurs when a dog's stomach is filled with too much food, stomach acid, and air. Eating too fast is a primary cause of this condition, as dogs swallow a lot of air during meals and, due to their rapid eating, their digestive system doesn't have enough time to process the food, leading to a buildup of food in the stomach.
Since the stomach can't digest the large amount of food, it produces more stomach acid to break it down. This results in a stomach filled with a lot of air, undigested food, and stomach acid.
It's important to note that bloat can lead to gastric torsion.
So, how can we correct a dog's fast eating habit?
Slowing Down Bowls: These are a great tool for correcting eating speed issues caused by behavior. However, it's crucial to choose the right type and shape of bowl for your dog.
More Meals, Less Quantity: If your dog is used to two meals a day, consider dividing the total amount of food into three smaller meals to reduce hunger pangs. This method can be particularly effective for breeds like Labrador Retrievers.
More Quantity, Less Meals: In this day and age, it's hard to believe a dog could be underfed. However, there are many reasons why this might be the case, from a lack of knowledge on the owner's part to poorquality dog food.
Enhancing Meal Time: This doesn't mean lighting candles at the dog's mealtime. Instead, you can hide treats like carrots or broccoli in the dog food to make mealtime more interesting and engaging, encouraging your dog to savor the experience and slow down their eating pace.
