Is Your Dog Eating Too Quickly?
Updated On: Friday, September 22, 2023 10:51:34 AM America/Los_Angeles
Everyone wants to pig out every now and then–even the most fit doggos. But is eating too fast causing your fur baby problems such as vomiting and diarrhea? If so, it might be time to look for solutions that not only address digestive issues, but also the anxieties underlying the behavior.
Photo by Camylla Battani
Is My Dog Eating Too Fast?
You may be wondering how fast is too fast when it comes to eating. It can be hard to judge because this isn’t necessarily determined by how much a dog eats. Instead, look for signs that eating too quickly is causing physical distress for your furry one. You may notice vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, burping, and other similar signs of tummy trouble.
It might be a good idea to have an indoor dog bathroom to deal with gastrointestinal issues that fast eating can cause in the meantime. A real grass pee pad like DoggieLawn is one way to keep a closer eye on whether or not eating is causing any digestive problems that result in irregular bowel movements.
Why Do Dogs Eat So Fast?
Dogs eat quickly for a number of reasons. The most common reason may be that they feel competition with other dogs in the house. This typically happens to pups who have grown up with littermates or other pets. This can also occur with pets who have been in hoarding situations. Dogs may continue to display competitive behavior when eating as a force of habit.
Other times, dogs just love to eat! Just like humans, canines can find immense satisfaction in food. This can be amplified if there is little else that motivates or excites them. If regular play and exercise isn’t part of your pup’s daily regimen, try offering these alternate sources of engagement so that food isn’t the only part of the day they look forward to.
How to Prevent Dogs from Eating Too Fast
Knowing the root cause of your doggo’s habit of eating too quickly can help you figure out how to remedy it. For instance, dogs who have a competitive eating style should have their own bowls, and maybe even be separated from other pets so that they feel less pressure while eating.
A popular option for doggos who are gulping down their food is a slow feeder bowl. These types of bowls usually have raised shapes that slow down the eating process, as dogs have to navigate the grooves by eating around them. Another option, though requiring a bit more effort, is to feed smaller and more frequent meals. It may be that a dog is eating too quickly because they’re hungry. Smaller, more frequent meals can keep appetites at bay as well as limit intake.
Eating too quickly can cause problems, but that doesn’t mean it’s an unsolvable issue. A little trial and error (and patience) is all you need to get your pooch’s eating back on track!
