Does your dog gobble food up as if he/she hasn’t eaten in days? While some pet parents think nothing of this, you should know that this is not “normal” behaviour. In fact, there are health concerns and risks associated with rapid ingestion of food that could threaten your dog’s life, should this behaviour continue.
What Happens When A Dog Eats Too Fast
When a dog eats too quickly, it swallows too much air. This can result in an upset stomach, vomiting, regurgitating, or having excess gas soon after eating. More seriously, veterinarians say that dogs who inhale their food have an increased risk of choking, digestive problems, and canine obesity.
Wonder why canine obesity is included in this list? Canine obesity can be a result when a dog who is not portion-fed eats quickly. Rapid ingestion causes overeating and consequent indigestion and discomfort. It can also disrupt a dog’s regular exercise pattern, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle and of course, weight gain.
Dogs with deeper chests that eat their food quickly are also at greater risk of developing bloat, technically known as GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus). This life-threatening condition is caused when gas builds up in a dog’s stomach and can’t get out. As the gas accumulates, the stomach swells and often twists. Although it can occur in any type of dog, it tends to show up more frequently in larger, deep-chested dogs. Older dogs (over 7) are at greater risk compared to younger ones.
Slow-Feeding Dog Bowls Help Your Dog Eat More Slowly
A slow feeding bowl is a tool to help slow down your dog’s eating rate. These bowls are available in plastic, stainless steel, or ceramic. Some bowls have multiple partitions to reduce a dog’s feeding speed, while other bowls look like a donut, with a rounded center knob, making the kibble move around the bowl. Both designs are effective.
One of our customers purchased a slow feeding bowl for her dogs and became a raving fan, as it cured her dogs of their excess gas problem! Treat dispensers are another option for encouraging slow eating, as the dog has to “work” to get out the kibble, but considers it play!
Dog Kibble Shaped To Slow Feeding Speed
Some food manufacturers design their kibble shape with the specific goal of reducing a dog’s food intake rate. For Example, Labrador Retrievers often eat too quickly, so Royal Canin has a specific food for Labradors. It is designed to slow down food ingestion rate.
If your dog is eating too fast, please visit us in store. We would be happy to help you find a solution to protect your dog’s health, and improve their quality of life for many years to come.
