Dog owners are usually absolutely fond of their furry companions and make it a point to watch everything the creatures are doing. You may have seen some dogs tend to eat their foods really fast. This causes worry to some dog owners, and they feel that their dogs are fast eaters. But is fast eating a bad thing? Pet health experts say it is not exactly abnormal for your dog to eat fast.
Why do some dogs eat so quickly?
Sometimes, dogs who eat way too fast may face digestive issues. Before you can take any remedial action, it is important to understand why some dogs gulp down everything so fast! Pet health specialists think quick eating in dogs is largely a behavioral issue. The main reasons are:
- Some dogs were born in a large litter, and they were very competitive in eating their share of foods right from the early days.
- Dogs who find hardships in finding food (especially street dogs) may eat fast.
- Some dogs indulge in faster eating when they see any other dog around.
Health problems dogs cope with owing to fast eating.
Some dogs cope with health hassles caused by fast eating. These are:
Digestive Issues– You will see some dogs suffering from choking, burping and vomiting soon after eating foods. This is caused by fast eating.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus- GDV is a condition that can turn serious. It requires emergency intervention. Typically, the deep-chested dog breeds suffer from it. If you have a breed like Standard Poodle or Great Dane, watch how fast the dog eats.
Food Bloat– A voracious eating dog may develop bloat. It happens when the dog is trying to swallow something bigger than its food tract can manage.
Sometimes, you may find it hard to find if the dog six coping with GDV or food bloat. Look for symptoms like significant belching, efforts to vomit and dry heaving.
Another health issue may crop up if your dog eats way too fast. If the dog does not chew foods well and keeps on gulping down everything on the food plate, he/she may not get the right nutrition.
How to make your dog eats foods slowly.
Take the help of pet grooming services in Mumbai. This can be quite an ordeal for some dog owners! No matter how much you cuddle or pamper the dog, stopping him/her from fast eating can be tedious. However, you can use the below-listed tricks:
Special Food Bowls- You will find specially designed dog food bowls that make the dogs eat slower than usual. You can check out local pet accessories shops or online retail shops.
Muffin Tins- Muffin tins can be used to make your dog eat slowly.
Food Puzzles- These are catching up with dog owners fed up with trying to make their dogs eat slowly.
Hand Feeding- This is possibly the best way to slow down the eating speed of your dog. However, the downside is you will have to spend a long time hand feeding the canine friend.
Dividing the meals- Another handy trick is segregating a meal into three parts or so. The dog will still eat fast, but you can cut down the risk of bloating to an extent.
Accepting the reality
The reality is a fast-eating dog is unlikely to change her/his eating habits –no matter what tricks you try! Some dog owners find even after trying smaller bowls and food puzzles, their dogs remain fast eaters. Be careful about overfeeding the dogs, as the fast-eating ones are experts in sporting an expectant look most of the time! Take help of dog training Mumbai if needed. The only time a fast-eating dog slows down is when he or she is unwell.
