My dog eats too fast. What to do ?
- Does your dog devour his meal in time to tell?
- Does your dog ask you for more food the second he finishes his bowl?
- Does your dog vomit his whole kibble?
- Has your dog run out of gas?
If you are challenged by this, your dog may well be eating too quickly. It's cute, he's gluttonous, but this behavior, without being alarming, can lead to digestion problems. Good news, there is a way to avoid them!
Why is my dog eating too fast?
-A dog that eats too quickly may have acquired this behavior from an early age. Surrounded by his many brothers and sisters, he had to be fast and competitive to have the best portion of food, if not deprived of meals.
-If you have other dogs in the family or children around him during his meal, he may instinctively be inclined to hurry so that his food is not stolen.
-This behavior is also noticed in dogs that have lacked food in the past. For fear of running out, he throws himself on his bowl.
-Have you reviewed the amount you give him in relation to his weight? The amount of food changes constantly as the dog grows depending on its age, mass and physical activity. A dog that is lacking in nutrients may tend to binge on their meals because they are too hungry. Do not hesitate to contact us so that one of our advisers can guide you through these calculations.
- Your dog is simply gluttonous. Why blame him? It's so good to eat!
What kind of problems can it bring to my dog?
If not overdone, this problem can cause digestive upset like gas, vomiting, or bloating. The dog ingests air that passes through its intestinal tract. This air has to come out somewhere! This is what causes these gases. It's not very pleasant, neither for the dog, nor for us, but there's nothing to make a case of. Your pet is not in danger, but don't let that escalate. Take charge of the problem as soon as you notice any of these signs.
What is to be feared is gastric torsion. Ingested air followed by physical activity can cause the stomach to expand and cause it to flip and then block. When it occurs, treat it as a life-threatening emergency, as it can be fatal. We obviously don't want to go there. That's why we offer you some simple, quick and effective solutions.
Your new best friend: The interactive bowl!
A simple and effective solution is the interactive bowl. Some will look like labyrinths in which the dog will have to bury his nose or his paw to make the kibble more accessible. Others will be in puzzle form. The dog will have to figure out which piece to remove or move so that the kibble falls and he can feast. Then, some balls or rolling toys can help. They are introduced to kibble and then, when the dog moves the toy, they fall. In this way, the dog must work to obtain its food, which constitutes an exceptional mental stimulation, then the speed of ingestion is significantly reduced. I recommend giving daily meals in a mobile interactive bowl (maze style) because it is simple and easy to clean. Then, to entertain little one, we vary sometimes a week with the different interactive games. Pleasure guaranteed!
FIND THE PERFECT INTERACTIVE TOYS FOR YOUR DOG HERE >>
Focus on tranquility
Another tip is to let your pet eat in peace. As you understand, dogs naturally have a competitive instinct when feeding. If you or a member of your family disturbs him, he will either not eat or eat quickly for fear that his meal will be stolen. So place his bowl in a non-traffic place, don't let other animals snoop around and educate your children that this is not the right time to pet their best friend. Everything in its time. Fido will thank you.
Calculate the right portion and choose nutritious food
A dog has nutritional needs that vary throughout its growth. A growing puppy will need a lot more protein to grow. An adult's portion is determined by weight and physical activity. A dog that does a lot of sports needs to eat more to meet its energy needs, while a sedentary dog needs to eat less at the risk of becoming overweight. A senior, on the other hand, needs less fat because his development is slowed down. Then, it is important to choose a food made up of healthy ingredients, such as a variety of meats, vegetables and fruits, in order to meet your pet's nutritional needs. If he feels full, you have every chance on your side for him to be more reasonable during his meals.
In short, you will find some of our bowls and toys that will help you in this process in the “interactive feeding accessories” section of our online pet store. It's time to stop the race against time and start the mealtime fun. Good luck!
