Dogs are a lot like people. Some cherish every single bite and take their time enjoying their food. Others barely chew their food and seem to eat a whole bowl of kibbles in a single inhale. But the difference between the two is that a dog who eats too fast might have a medical condition you would need to share with your veterinarian. Plus, eating too quickly can cause medical issues.
From an innate spirit of competition to intestinal parasites and diseases, there could be several reasons why dogs eat too fast. Beyond the choking hazard, eating too fast can have serious repercussions. In this blog post, we dive into several reasons why dogs eat too fast, what it can cause, and offer solutions for how to slow down the gravy train.
Evolution
Dogs evolved over thousands of years from wolves, and while they love their current state of domestication, they still have some of their ancestors’ wilder tendencies. Like wolves, dogs are competitive by nature. This behavior is on full display when food sources are limited. Pure instinct may cause your dog to scarf up their food quickly because their instincts are telling them it is probably limited, even though they likely receive the same meal at the same time every day.
If other dogs are in the household, it’s very common for one or all of them to eat fast to prevent their brothers and sisters from stealing their dinner. Some dogs are highly competitive, while others have subdued personalities that cause them to eat slower. Be sure each dog has its own space and time to consume their meal regardless of its eating habits. This often means separating them at mealtime. Separation is the best way to slow down the pace of the meal.
Intestinal Parasite Infections
Here at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, we often find parasites to be the reason for fast eating. Dogs aren’t receiving all the nutrients they should be from their meals, so they eat fast to try to quelch the hunger. Roundworms, ringworms, hookworms, heartworms, and others are relatively common in dogs. Dogs can contract worms from other dogs’ feces, soil, food, contaminated water, or licking their fur. Once ingested, the larvae attach themselves to the intestinal walls, growing into adult worms.
A worm infestation can cause appetite changes in your dog. Some may lose their appetites altogether or eat very little. In contrast, others might experience a sudden increase in appetite by eating too fast to compensate for their inability to get enough nutrition.
In short, you might notice your dog eating fast because he is actually really hungry. The parasites lodged in his intestines are competing with him for the food he eats. Worms won’t go away on their own. Our vets can get you on a treatment routine to eliminate the problem.
Chronic Disease
Diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes), Cushing’s Disease, or other ailments can cause an artificial appetite increase. If eating fast is accompanied by excessive panting, increased thirst, increased urination, reduced activity, or an enlarged abdomen, you should immediately seek veterinarian care.
These diseases could be life-threatening. Cushing’s Disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is a severe health condition that causes the adrenal glands to produce excessive cortisol (cortisone), which can leave a dog at risk for several serious consequences conditions and illnesses ranging from diabetes to kidney damage.
Although diabetes can’t be cured, it can be managed. Diabetes is a metabolism disorder where the pancreas stops functioning and producing insulin. Insulin is the gatekeeper that allows your dog’s body to process glucose (or sugar), which is essential fuel for his body’s cells. A high sugar level in the bloodstream damages many organs. Without insulin to help convert the glucose in the bloodstream into fuel, high glucose levels build up in the blood. Unfortunately, this abnormal blood chemistry acts like a poison and eventually causes multi-organ damage. This often includes damage to the kidneys, eyes, heart, blood vessels, or nerves. The remedy is daily insulin dosages, either orally or via injection.
Dangers of Eating Too Fast
We’ve already mentioned the increased risk of choking on their food. This can also lead to gagging, vomiting, and discomfort as well. Another hazard of eating too fast is the risk of gastric dilation-volvulus or GDV. This potentially life-threatening and painful condition happens when a dog eats too fast and takes in lots of air with his food, which causes the stomach to expand and the intestines to twist. It can send the dog into shock quickly and is fatal if left untreated. Fast eaters have five times the risk of developing GDV than dogs that are slow eaters.
Plus, when Fido eats too fast, he’s probably missing out on getting enough nutrition for strength and development. Chewing their food (rather than just swallowing it) allows for easy digestion and assimilation, enabling the body to absorb as many nutrients as possible.
How Do you Slow Your Dog Down During Feeding Time
Remove Competition
Earlier, we discussed feeding dogs in multi-dog households separately to help remove competition and fear that another will pilfer their dinner.
Slow Feeders
A slow feeder is a pet bowl with nooks, crannies, and obstacles that force your dog to pick up smaller quantities of food with each bite.
Puzzle Feeders
Puzzle feeders feature small compartments where you can place food and allow your dog to explore each compartment for a treat. These can slow down the eating speed and make mealtime more fun. Or, try placing food on a partitioned plate. Small portions of food in each partition can slow the eating process and offer easy but controlled access to the food so your dog won’t become frustrated and stop eating altogether, a common complaint of puzzle feeders.
Automatic Feeders
Automatic feeders dispense the right amount of food at the same time every day. Sometimes, more frequent small meals are the key to better digestion.
Change Food
The problem might be with the food itself. Perhaps it’s just insufficient nutrition that leaves your dog constantly feeling hungry. We have found that foods like Hill’s Science Diet and the Purina Pro Plan are good, veterinarian-recommended sources of complete nutrition for your pet. In fact, we offer delivery services, so the food you need comes straight to your door.
We Can Guide You Toward Safer, Healthier Mealtime Habits
At the Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, we aim to help your dog stay healthy and happy for many wonderful years of love and companionship. We can help guide you in the basics of mealtime etiquette, check for any underlying causes, and recommend a more nutritionally balanced diet. To learn more, visit www.mycommunitypetclinic.com.
