Is eating slowly better for dogs?
Before we explore how to get your dog to eat slower, let’s examine why it’s a good idea. Ingesting meals too quickly can be harmful for your pet, causing vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, and other digestive issues. If your pup isn’t chewing their food properly, it also poses a choking risk.
Another reason speed-eating is dangerous for pooches is that they often gulp down a lot of air with their grub. This might cause bloat, which is not only uncomfortable but may result in serious conditions like gastric dilatation and volvulus. That’s where the stomach fills with air and twists in on itself. This could block the entrance and exit to the stomach, cut off blood flow, and impede breathing. If untreated, the condition can be fatal.
Some signs that you might need to investigate tactics for how to get dogs to eat slower include pups:
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Gasping or snorting while eating
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Sending their food flying at mealtimes
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Not chewing their kibble and instead swallowing it whole
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Finishing an entire meal in under two minutes (depending on the size of your pet and the amount of food)
If you’re unsure, raise the issue with your vet and seek their opinion on your mutt’s eating habits.
Why do dogs eat too fast?
To find out how to get your dog to eat slower, it’s useful to first understand the reason that they’re gobbling their food down. Determining why they’re doing it can help you figure out how to effectively address the issue. Here are some of the most common reasons our pups eat too quickly:
Competition
Some pets feel they have to consume their food as swiftly as possible because otherwise another animal will steal it. This is most frequently seen in homes with multiple pups, and in pooches who used to be strays. However, even mutts who are the only pet in a household can exhibit this instinct. This could be because they had to compete for food as a puppy. Or, the reason you’re wondering how to get your dog to eat slower might even be because they see you as competition for their dinner!
It’s probably an evolved behaviour that originates from their wolf ancestors, who lived in packs in the wild. In such circumstances, food scarcity would have been the norm – along with competition for that nourishment. Some mutts eat quickly to stop others taking their meal, while others do it so they can steal someone else’s. Either way, this habit is a common reason people want to know how to make a dog eat slower.
Anxiety
Along similar lines, anxiety is often to blame for speed-eating in pooches. It also explains why some dogs bury their food. For example, your pet might have previously lived on the streets or had an owner who fed them erratically. This may leave them feeling unsure about if and when they’re going to receive another meal. In some of these cases, you won’t need to look into how to get your dog to eat slower. That’s because, over time, your pup will learn that they can rely on you for regular meals. However, if the problem persists, the advice in this article should hopefully help.
Alternatively, your pet’s nervousness may have nothing to do with food. It could be that they’re struggling with separation anxiety or another fear, and it’s manifesting as excessively fast eating. If you think that’s what’s happening, you’ll need to address the underlying issue rather than focus solely on slowing their dining speed.
Boredom
Our pups get bored, just like we do, especially if they’re left alone for long periods of time. They require plenty of human interaction, physical exercise, and mental stimulation from toys and games to be happy and healthy. And boredom can manifest in lots of unwanted behaviours – one of which is dogs eating too fast. Other signs include excessive barking, pacing, chewing and other destructive actions, digging, restlessness, and excessive grooming. Does that sound like your pup? If so, boredom may be the reason you need to know how to get a dog to eat slower.
Lack of nutrition
It might not be a behavioural issue that has you searching for how to get your dog to eat slower. There’s a possibility that their food could be at fault. If your mutt is consuming low-quality fare that’s lacking in nutrients, it may leave them hungry and unsatisfied. This can then lead to speed-eating as an attempt to overcome their nutritional deficiencies.
An underlying health condition
The final potential cause of your dog eating too quickly that we’re going to cover is illness. Certain diseases and other health problems can make pups feel abnormally hungry and gulp down their food. This could be a chronic condition like diabetes, or some form of worm or parasite. If you suspect your pet may be unwell or notice any other symptoms, take them to the vet immediately. They’ll be able to recommend appropriate treatment. Addressing the underlying health condition should also remove any need to know how to get your dog to eat slower.
How to slow down your dog’s eating speed
That covers the main reasons your furry friend might be wolfing down their food. Now let’s move on to the most effective tips for how to get your dog to eat slower.
Create a safe and calm feeding space
The place in which your pup eats can influence how quickly they chow down. If anxiety is why you need to know how to make your dog eat slower, this could be particularly important. Choosing a quiet area to feed your pooch in might help them feel reassured while dining. Likewise, if you think competition is to blame for their speed-eating, consider feeding your mutt alone in a closed room. With no other animals around, they should be confident enough to tuck in more slowly. Another option is to try giving nervous pets ashwagandha powder. Research shows this can lessen symptoms of stress and anxiety, which has the potential to normalise their eating habits.(1)
Use a slow feeder bowl
A more physical tactic for how to slow down dog eating speed is to serve their meals in a slow feeder bowl. These have obstacles built into them that force your pet to consume their chow at a more leisurely pace. Essentially, they prevent your pup from shoving their face right into the bowl and inhaling all the food at once! You may well find they speed up again as they get used to the new bowl. However, they should still eat more slowly than they do with a normal one.(2) For wet food, you can also use a lick mat to promote unhurried dining.
Create your own slow feeder bowl
Instead of buying a slow feeder bowl, you could make your own by using a muffin or cupcake tin. Simply pop a bit of your pup’s food into each indentation. They’ll have to snack from these one by one, preventing them from guzzling their meal down too quickly. Another tactic is to place a little bowl upside-down in a larger bowl and put your pooch’s food around it. This forces them to take smaller mouthfuls and stops them from gulping too much air with the food. That makes it a useful answer to the question of how to get your dog to eat slower.
Use puzzle feeder toys
A puzzle feeder toy dispenses food bit by bit, stopping your pooch from gobbling it all up in one go. They’re also a great way to make mealtimes more fun, as they’re interactive. Your pet might have to fish out kibble with their paw or touch a certain part of the toy to release it. Along similar lines, a snuffle mat has pockets and other hiding places for your pup to forage for kibble. There are lots of different options out there, so you’re sure to find one that your mutt enjoys.
You could also create a DIY version by scattering kibble on a clean towel and rolling it up. Your pooch then has to figure out how to unroll it to access the food. This is an easy and cheap technique for how to get your dog to eat slower. You can adjust the way you roll it and how tightly to make it easier or more challenging for them.
Feed your pet smaller, more frequent meals
It’s possible that giving your pup smaller meals more often instead of larger ones less frequently could help. For instance, it may keep your pet feeling fuller throughout the day, reducing speed-eating because of excessive hunger. Combined with a regular feeding schedule, it might also mean they’re less concerned about when their next meal is coming. As well as being a method of how to slow dogs’ eating speed, smaller portions make their mealtimes safer. Consuming lower quantities of food per sitting reduces the risk of conditions like bloat. Even if they’re still finishing it quickly!
Feed your dog by hand
If you’ve got the time and patience, feeding by hand is a great option for how to get your dog to eat slower. It puts you in complete control of how much food your pup gets and when, plus helps you bond. Just be careful you don’t get bitten if they become a bit too enthusiastic! Of course, not all pups enjoy eating this way, so try it out and see how yours responds.
Choose nutritious food
If a lack of nutrients is making your pooch wolf down their chow, it’s probably time to change their food. A high-quality, balanced option is best. You can also add extra ingredients to their bowl to give their meals greater nutritional value. For example, Jerusalem artichoke powder is bursting with vitamins and minerals. And as it’s rich in fibre, it could support digestive health and leave your pet feeling fuller. This might further help with the question of how to get your dog to eat slower.
Final thoughts on how to make your dog eat more slowly
There are several effective techniques you can employ to tackle the problem of your pooch speed-eating. These include slow feeder bowls, puzzle feeder toys, and serving more frequent, smaller, nutrient-rich meals in a quiet place. As well as answering the question of how to get your dog to eat slower, these tactics may also make mealtimes more interesting for your pup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you train a dog to eat slower?
Yes, you can encourage your dog to eat more slowly by using slow feeder bowls and puzzle feeder toys. Dishing up smaller meals more often can be another effective method of how to get your dog to eat slower. Serving their food in a peaceful place, without other animals around, may also help.
Do dogs get frustrated with slow feeders?
Some dogs may get frustrated with slow feeders at first, especially if they normally eat quickly. You can help by starting off with one that isn’t too challenging and not using them for every meal. Keep an eye on your pet while they get used to the slow feeder and use positive reinforcement to reward them for using it.
Why do dogs always act like they’re starving?
Dogs are natural scavengers who evolved in a situation of food scarcity. As such, their instinct tells them to gobble up food whenever it’s available. This behaviour may be worse if they’ve developed food-related anxiety from not being fed properly in the past. What’s more, your pup’s keen sense of smell means they’re acutely aware whenever food is around. It’s also possible that an underlying health condition is responsible, so take your pet to the vet if you’re concerned.
How fast should a dog eat their food?
The time it should take your dog to eat depends on factors like their size and the quantity of food. However, as a rough guide, 5-30 minutes is a good estimate. If they’re finishing eating in under two minutes, try some tactics for how to get your dog to eat slower.
