Stop Dog Gobbling Food

[Ufatz]

You CAN teach an old dog guy new tricks.  If you have a dog that just gulps down and pigs out when he eats,  way too fast, try this simple little trick. Place a large (softball) sized rock right on top of his food,  sitting in the middle.  He CAN'T get at it all to eat too fast. It is an old trick but it works. Try it. Pretty soon the dog will eat what it can.....slowly...and then come to you asking you to move the rock so he can finish.

Let us know how it works for you.

[nofishfisherman]

A couple other tricks:

Serve the food in a cup cake pan.  Spread the food out putting a little food in each of the cup cake holes.  This forces the dog to only get one small bite at a time before moving to the next hole.

Serve the food spread out on a large baking sheet or even on the floor.  With the food spread out the dog can't inhale it as quickly, they need to work harder to pick up the food over a larger area.

The last time works for a dog that inhales the food or a dog that needs more mental stimulation.  Take the cup cake pan and put the food in some of the holes and then cover all of the holes with tennis balls.  The dog has to figure out that it needs to move the tennis balls to get to the food.  If you leave some holes empty the dog will eventually learn which holes you leave empty and remember which you hide food in and move only the balls that have food under them.  

 

[BringAnExtension]

My lab is now 6 but used to gobble up food.  We bought her a dish that has a raised center part.  The food rests around the edges in the lowest part of the bowl.  This made her take her time to get at the food and slowed her way down. 

All of these options use the same basic concept, they make it difficult for the dog to eat fast.  So you could choose to buy the solution like I did (or rather my wife) or find some object to interfere with getting at the food.  Either way it should slow your dog down.

 

Edited July 21, 2015 by BringAnExtension

[icefisker]

Just curious, what is the reason for having your dog eat more slowly?  My lab gobbles every meal like it is her last and i have wondered if this is not good for her. 

[Ufatz]

Well, for one thing, eating too fast will lead to bloating-too much air going into the dogs stomach. Dogs can also mess up their digestive system by slamming a bunch of food down all at once.  And it is worse with older dogs...they REALLY need to eat more slowly.

Eating at a reasonable pace is just good for the dogs well being.....keeps them cool,  not all hyper about food time. I think it also makes them better dogs but that's just silly old me.

[icefisker]

Thanks.  I will try your trick.  My 47 lb. lab inhales her food and then belches like Barney from the Simpsons!!!

[Powerstroke]

Both my dogs(labs) eat quicky. One eats quite a bit faster. SHe would literally inhale 3 cups of food in 5-10 seconds then go puke it up. IT quickly became a problem that needed addressing. We just pour the dry food out on the kitchen floor and that has slowed her way down. 

The other lab eats quickly enough that she will pause to choke her food down. WhIle not desireable, she slows herself down if she takes too much at once. 

 

I don't mind spreading the food on the floor since this dog cleans everything up. 

[ZachD]

I used to put the big triangle toy we have in my labs bowl it slowed him down but he still would chow down really fast. I picked up this slow feeding bowl at petco for 20 bucks and it slowed him down about 10 times he normally consumes food. I think it gives home good metal stimulation too trying to get all the food.

[going4it]

I bought a similar one for my dog.  I was interested to see how he would react to it so watched him react to it.  He picked the thing up and dumped it out and took it out of his shed and put it in the lawn then came back and ate the food off the floor.  That evening I came home and the new dog bowl turned into a chew toy.  I think I got out smarted by my dog and then told off by him chewing up the new bowl.  I learned my lesson.  Now he sits a few times during his meals to slow down a little bit.  Dont even have to tell him to anymore.  Its fun to see   

[ZachD]

Ya the first time Tango ate from it he picked it up halfway and slammed it on the ground and food went everywhere. After that I think he figured out its better to just eat from the damn thing then trying to find the food all over the floor.

[eyeguy 54]

tennis ball or a couple golf balls works also.