Many pet owners are faced with dogs that get overly excited at mealtime, inhaling their dinner as if it were the last meal they would ever be given. Unfortunately, dogs that engulf their food are at risk for many dangerous health conditions.
Behaviorally, there are two main types of behaviors associated with dogs who have an overzealous zest for mealtime. Gulping is the term used for those dogs who devour their food in seconds, taking large bites and giving off the appearance that they are literally inhaling their food. Gorging on the other hand is the act of just plain eating too much.
These behaviors can occur alone or together and can put your pooch at risk for many very serious health issues such as choke, gastrointestinal torsion (GDV), and even death. So how do we curb these behaviors in our food crazy chow hound?
First, make sure mealtime is "safe" for your dog. Your dog needs to feel secure that the food will always be there and no one will try to take it away. Take away any competition (i.e. other dogs) so your pet doesn't feel as strong a desire to inhale their dinner. Feed several small meals throughout the course of the day. For the gulper, the idea that food is around frequently, can help subdue some of the stress involved at mealtime. You can also feed meals out of slow feeder bowls - these are dog dishes with shapes built into the bottom that dogs must eat around, effectively slowing down the eating process. You can also feed meals out of interactive toys such as the Tug-A-Jug, which are designed to force dogs to eat slowly and think through the entire process of getting their meal. Remember, when using interactive toys or slow feeder bowls, feed frequently throughout the day and make sure the dog feels safe while eating.
Following these tips will help slow your food crazy chow hound down, and will help prevent very serious health issues associated with gulping and gorging. For more information, contact the trainers at The Collared Scholar at 619-916-8710.
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