Why a dog eats very quickly and what to do about it

When a person sits down to eat, he usually tries to slowly enjoy it. However, the dog takes a completely different approach – he usually sweeps away the food in the blink of an eye. The problems that can arise when a dog eats food too quickly, as well as what you can do to slow this process, are later in the article.

Why does a dog eat fast

Your dog probably really likes her food, but most likely he eats quickly for one of the following reasons:

• Competition. If you have more than one dog, the speed eater probably feels like he has to hurry before other dogs take his food away. Perhaps, when the pet was still a puppy, he had to fight for food with brothers and sisters. This feeling of competition may be instinctive. Even if the dog is the only one in the house, he may consider other family members, including cats and people, as competitors.
• Irregular feeding schedule. If you’ve adopted a dog from a shelter, it’s possible that the previous owners didn’t follow a proper feeding schedule. That’s why she acts like she’s not sure when she’ll get her next meal. This is the reason why the dog eats quickly. The same can be said about animals that used to be homeless and had to find food on their own. Give your dog time to understand that he doesn’t need to rush anymore, because you love him very much, take care of him and feed him again soon.
• Poor quality food. Perhaps the reason lies in the diet of the dog. Some foods may not be well balanced. Consult with a veterinarian who will check that the dog is getting all the necessary nutrients and recommend a quality food.
• Health disorders. Perhaps the pet’s excessive hunger is caused by some kind of disease. Diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome can affect a dog’s metabolism and increase its appetite, writes Puppytip. The reason may also be infection with helminths or other parasites.

Risks associated with eating too fast

If the dog eats food quickly, this can not only signal a disease, but in itself become a cause of the disease. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), if a dog eats too fast, it can develop digestive problems and vomit. Among the more serious consequences is the danger of suffocation as a result of poor chewing of food. Also, when a dog eats too fast, it swallows too much air, which can lead to bloating, reports the AKC. Bloating is a very uncomfortable condition for a pet.

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons explains that a very serious and life-threatening condition associated with eating large amounts of food at one time is acute gastric dilatation (AGD). The PCA requires immediate veterinary attention as it causes torsion in the dog’s stomach and can lead to rupture.

If the reason for the rapid absorption of food by the dog is not clear, it should be taken to the veterinarian, especially when this is a new habit.

How to wean a dog to eat fast

If it turns out that the dog is sick with something, it is hoped that the treatment of this condition will bring his appetite back to normal and slow down the process of eating. If the problem is an unbalanced diet, switching to better quality foods should solve the problem. If there are several furry eaters in the house, feeding them separately will help eliminate the problem, which will make them feel safe. But if none of the suggested solutions helps, there are a few additional tricks:

• Increase the number of feedings. Perhaps instead of giving the dog all the food at once, you should feed it in small portions two or three times a day. Smaller portion sizes also reduce the risk of bloating, says Dogster.
• Get a special bowl for dogs that eat quickly. They are usually equipped with obstacles that prevent the animal from quickly grabbing food. You can buy such a bowl at the store or make your own by putting a smaller bowl upside down in a regular one and pouring food around it.
• Make the process of eating more fun. Give your dog food in a special dispenser that dispenses only a few pieces of food at a time. You can make your own version by simply turning the cupcake pan upside down and pouring food between the cupcake holes so the dog has to fish it out.

The reason why a dog eats quickly may not be serious, but if you do not get rid of such a habit in time, this can lead to various problems. The next time you see a dog sweeping food, think about how this seemingly minor oddity can have a serious impact on his health.