When humans sit down for a meal, they usually take time to enjoy their food. Your dog, though, takes a completely different approach — they usually finish their kibble in seconds. Read on to learn any potential issues that can happen with your dog eating too fast, plus what you can do to slow them down.
While it's possible that your pooch just really likes their food, here are a few more likely reasons why your dog eats fast:
Not only can fast-eating signal an untreated illness — but it can also cause your dog to become sick. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), if your dog eats too fast, they could experience digestive problems and vomiting. More seriously, consuming food without chewing is a choking hazard. Another risk is a condition called bloat, which occurs when a dog swallows a lot of air as a result of eating too quickly, says the AKC. Bloat is very uncomfortable for your dog. GDV requires immediate veterinary attention because your pup's stomach is twisted, which can lead to a rupture.
If the reason for your dog's fast eating isn't clear, it's a good idea to have them checked out by a vet — especially if it's a new behavior.
If it turns out that your dog has an underlying illness, treating the condition will hopefully return their appetite to normal and slow down their eating. If low-quality food is the issue, then switching to one of better quality should solve the problem. Feeding competitive eaters separately from other pets in a place where they feel safe to eat more slowly might take care of that particular problem. But if none of those solutions slow your fast eater, here are a few tricks you can try:
While the reason behind your dog's fast eating may not be serious, if left unchecked, your pup's eating habits could lead to a medical issue. Next time you see your dog inhale their food, remember that what seems like just quirky behavior could have a serious impact on their health.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
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