Why doesn’t my dog chew his food?
One reason we worry if our dog doesn’t chew food is that we know it would be harmful for us to eat like that. Besides presenting a choking risk, it causes digestive problems and prevents us from fully absorbing nutrients from our food. But what about our furry companions? Do dogs chew their food in the same way we do and for the same reasons? Not quite.
Although the basic makeup of human and canine teeth is very similar, their size and shape differ considerably. Dogs’ canine teeth are far more prominent than ours – not surprising, given the name! – and they have fewer molars. This makes their teeth better suited to gripping prey, shredding and tearing food, and scraping meat from bones. Conversely, our teeth are more useful for grinding and pulverising food – in other words, for chewing. So, one reason your dog doesn’t chew food as much as you do is that their teeth aren’t designed for it.
Another potential reason why your dog doesn’t chew food is instinct. Our domestic pups descended from wolves, who lived and ate in packs. Food scarcity would have been common, as would competition for that nourishment. Finishing your portion quickly is one way to avoid other animals stealing it or fighting you for it. And speed-eating leaves little time for chewing. Even though our pooches live in loving homes with plentiful food, they may still feel this innate drive to gobble down their meals. This is especially true if they share their home with other pets.
Is it harmful if my dog doesn’t chew his food?
Our canine friends seem to have evolved to munch their chow quickly. As such, it’s not usually a concern if your dog doesn’t chew food much. For example, we rely on enzymes in our saliva to start breaking down our food. That means we actually begin digesting our meals in our mouths. With pups, however, digestion begins in the stomach. This is another reason chewing isn’t so important for them.
Further, our pooches produce more, and stronger, stomach acid than us. This makes it easier for them to digest larger (and tougher) chunks of food. Your dog not chewing food is therefore less likely to give them tummy troubles compared to us. So, if your pup has always eaten in this manner and shows no symptoms of ill health, it’s probably fine.
However, if suddenly your dog doesn’t chew food after previously doing so, it could be a cause for concern. This is especially true if this behaviour coincides with other symptoms like bad breath, weight loss, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Even if your dog not chewing food isn’t new behaviour, it still might result in health problems. For example, it could cause them to have an upset stomach or vomit. There’s also the risk of bloat. This is a condition in which the stomach fills with food or gas and stretches. It can lead to gastric dilatation and volvulus, which is where the stomach twists and cuts off blood flow. If not treated, it could be fatal.
Understanding the reason your dog doesn’t chew food may help you determine if it’s problematic. Plus, it enables you to figure out the best way to change this behaviour.
What triggers changes in a dog’s eating habits?
There are several things that could cause a change in your pet’s eating behaviour. If you abruptly notice that your dog doesn’t chew food, stops eating, or eats extra speedily, this could be why:
Anxiety
We mentioned that one potential reason a dog doesn’t chew food is an instinct to eat quickly due to competition. But worrying that another animal will steal their dinner isn’t the only thing that might cause anxiety in your pet. And sometimes this anxiety can result in a change to their eating behaviour even if it’s not related to food. For example, your pup may struggle with separation anxiety, a fear of loud noises or travel, or canine cognitive dysfunction.
If you think anxiety is why your dog doesn’t chew food, see if you’re able to pinpoint the underlying cause. Removing or addressing it should help return their eating habits to normal. For instance, you could try adding organic ashwagandha powder to your pet’s meals. Studies show this can reduce signs of fear and anxiety in our canine friends.(1)
Changes in their routine
Our pooches are normally big fans of consistency. It enables them to predict when certain things will happen – like meals and walks – and makes them feel more secure. Any changes to their routine have the potential to cause stress, which may manifest as disruption to their eating habits. If your dog doesn’t chew food all of a sudden, think about whether anything else in their life has altered. It could be a house move, a new person living in the home, or a change to your work hours. Where possible, make such changes gradually so your pup has time to get used to them.
Dental troubles
One of the more obvious reasons a dog doesn’t chew food is that it hurts to do so. This could be because of an injury in their mouth, for instance if they chewed something sharp. Or, more likely, a dental issue. Periodontal disease is common in our mutts, and can cause severe pain in the teeth and gums.(2) Not only that, but it may also raise the risk of other conditions, such as heart and kidney disease. Pets often try to hide their discomfort from us, and your dog not chewing food could be a warning sign.
If dental issues are the reason why your dog doesn’t chew food, there should be other symptoms. These include bad breath, swollen gums, loose teeth, swelling in the face, and drooling. You might also see blood in their water bowl or notice them pawing at their mouth. If you spot any of these concerns, take your pup to the vet immediately. To avoid the problem in the first place, experts recommend we brush our dog’s teeth daily.
Other health conditions
Dental problems aren’t the only possible medical reason behind a dog not chewing their food. There are other underlying health issues that might manifest in this way. Again, these are normally accompanied by other symptoms. However, just in case these aren’t visible, it’s worth speaking to your vet if your dog doesn’t chew food.
As an example, some parasites can set up shop in your pooch’s intestinal tract and steal nutrients from their meals. This leaves your dog feeling hungrier than usual, because they’re not getting that nourishment. And excess hunger may lead to faster eating – and your dog not chewing food. Oral cancer could also make it difficult for animals to chew.
Finally, if your mutt takes any medication, it’s possible that changes in their dining habits are side effects of it. Speak to your vet if you think this might be the reason your dog doesn’t chew food. They’ll be able to advise you on the likelihood of this being the case, and ways to address it.
Feeding your pup table scraps
It’s hard to say no to those puppy-dog eyes when your pooch asks for titbits from your plate! However, giving in is probably a bad idea. Some human foods are unhealthy or even toxic for animals, and consuming them can increase the risk of harmful conditions. For instance, fatty foods may raise the chances of your mutt developing obesity, diabetes, and pancreatitis.
Allowing your pet to snack from your plate could also lead to unwanted changes in behaviour. These include begging, stealing food, picky eating, and even a refusal to eat their own dinner. That might be because they believe that if they hold out, you’ll crack and give them something tastier. Another risk is that the unpredictable aspect of receiving table scraps causes them to chow down more quickly. And, as we’ve mentioned, speed-eating can be a reason why your dog doesn’t chew food.
A problem with their food
There’s also the possibility that the reason a dog doesn’t chew food is down to the food itself. If the fare in question is low quality and lacking in nutrients, it could leave your pup feeling hungry. Similar to the case of the parasites, this can cause them to eat more quickly and gulp down kibble whole. If this is the issue, fixing it should be as simple as switching to a high-end product. It may take some time to change your pooch’s behaviour, and you might have to introduce the new food slowly. For example, start by giving them a mix of 90% old food and 10% new food. Gradually increase the proportion of new food until it makes up the entirety of their meals.
Another option is to add extra ingredients to their meals to boost their nutritional value. For instance, chia seed oil is rich in antioxidants, phytosterols, and omega-3 fatty acids. This means it can help support the health of your pet’s heart, fur, skin, and joints.
On a different note, switching to a larger size of kibble may also be a useful tactic. This is because it means pups have to chew the food in order to swallow it comfortably. However, it could pose a choking risk if your pooch continues to eat without chewing. As such, you should always supervise their mealtimes if you try this.
How can I encourage my dog to chew his food?
The best way to change your pup’s eating behaviour will depend on the reason your dog doesn’t chew food. If it’s a health issue, they may require veterinary treatment for that condition. However, if it’s more of a habit that needs undoing, the following advice should hopefully help.
One of the most effective methods for getting dogs to chew their food is encouraging them to eat more slowly. There are several ways you can do this. For example, you could feed them smaller meals more frequently rather than bigger meals more often. If you have the patience, feeding pups by hand gives you control over exactly how much they consume and when.
Another option is to use a slow feeder bowl. These have indents and ridges that make it a little more difficult for animals to get at the food inside. As such, it forces them to slow down at mealtimes. Puzzle feeders are similar, but require a bit more effort on your pet’s part. Your pooch may have to twist or press something to release a small amount of kibble. Again, this slows the rate at which they can chow down. If you don’t want to buy a new bowl without knowing if it will help, try making your own slow feeder. Place a smaller bowl upside-down in a larger one, then dish out the dog food around it. Easy!
Finally, if you think stress might be why your dog doesn’t chew food, try feeding them in a calm environment. For those with multiple pets, serving their meals in separate spaces can also help.
Feeling pawsitive
Hopefully, this post has helped reassure those of you who’ve been wondering ‘why does my dog not chew his food?’ In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about – though it’s best to book a vet appointment if you’re unsure. This should allow you to rule out the possibility that your dog doesn’t chew food because of a health problem. Then, you can try some of the advice above for slowing your pet’s eating speed and encouraging them to chew. It’s unlikely our pooches will ever savour meals in the way we do! However, this could help them enjoy their grub a bit more safely.
