Many dog owners see the same scenario. Your dog is begging and whining for food as if they’re starving. You get them dinner and it’s gone in about two minutes or even less. While it may seem innocuous, eating this fast may cause a host of problems. Here’s how to stop a dog from eating too fast:

Why is My Dog Eating Too Fast?

There are a few different factors that cause dogs to eat too fast.

1. Natural Instinct

Domesticated dogs descended from wolves. They inherited some innate instincts from their wild counterparts, including fast eating. Dogs used to need to search for food and when they found it, ate it, and ate it quickly in case competition came along.

So even though your dog receives steady meals daily, their instincts still drive them to want to eat fast. This instinct isn’t something that can be turned off but you can work on training them to slow down while eating.

2. Health Issues

There might be an underlying cause that might be behind your dog eating too fast. Some dogs suffering from parasites may never feel full. Certain hormonal conditions like Cushing’s Disease can also increase hunger, which may drive dogs to eat too fast.

3. Genetics and Breed Characteristics

Most dogs love to eat. This is why many dogs can be motivated to train when the reward is a treat. However, some breeds are more food-motivated than others. Labradors are especially known for being food-motivated and always on the lookout for the next snack.

4. Past Experiences

Some dogs may be eating too fast because they had an experience in the past where they didn’t have access to enough food. If your dog came from a large litter or a home with other dogs, they might have had to compete over food. This can cause a dog to develop fast eating habits and may also develop into resource guarding.

Is It Dangerous If My Dog is Eating Too Fast?

Some dogs can scarf down their food and not suffer any consequences. However, it’s still a behavior that should be corrected because it can lead to problems.

Eating Too Fast Is a Choking Hazard

If your dog’s eating too fast, there is a potential choking danger. If they’re not properly chewing their food, it can get stuck in their throat. This can lead to gagging and vomiting, which are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog.

Gulping Down Food and Water Increases the Risk of Bloat

An even more life-threatening condition called bloat can occur. Bloat in dogs can be caused by a dog eating too fast or if they overeat. When bloat occurs, the stomach expands due to a build-up of gasses and the stomach can actually twist in the dog’s abdomen. This prevents the gasses from escaping.

If the gasses cannot escape, blood flow can be cut off to the stomach and other organs, including the heart. If this happens, dogs can die within hours; within 30 minutes in some cases! If you suspect bloat, you need to contact your vet immediately. This is a major reason why eating too fast can be extremely dangerous for your dog.

How to Stop a Dog From Eating Too Fast

If your dog tends to eat too fast, there are a few methods to try to help them slow down.

1. Train Them to Eat Slower With Hand Feeding

While this method can be time-consuming, it allows you to control how much your dog is ingesting and how quickly. It’s also a really good way to build a strong bond with your dog.

Start with a handful of kibble in your hand. Let your dog sniff so they know where the food is. Slowly offer a few pieces of kibble at a time. Make sure your dog has fully chewed and swallowed the kibble before offering a few more bites.

Introduce a basic command like “slow” as you feed your dog a few bites of their food. Repeat this command each time your dog takes some food from your hand. Make sure you praise them when they eat a few bites. Your dog should start to associate this positive command with the positive reinforcement of receiving food each time.

After your dog has mastered slower eating, you can start to re-introduce their food bowl. Only put a few bites of kibble in their bowl at a time and use the command you have chosen so they know to eat slowly. If they can continue to eat slowly, add a little bit more. If they start to eat too fast again, take their food and start with just a small amount.

If your dog can eat an entire serving without eating too fast, you can start giving them their normal amount. This method may take a couple of weeks for them to learn and will require a lot of patience from both your dog and you. However, it is an effective way of training them to eat at a much healthier and slower pace.

2. Give Them Smaller Meals More Frequently

Rather than feeding your dog two large meals a day, it can be helpful to break these up into smaller portions and feed them 3 to 4 times a day. This can be a helpful technique for dogs who deal with food insecurity fears. More consistent feedings can reassure them that food is coming and they will get what they need.

3. Try a Slow Feeder Bowl

Different dogs will need different types of dog food bowls. One of the most useful tools for dogs who tend to eat too fast is a slow feeder bowl. These bowls have indentations or grooves where their kibble rests. Dogs have to work to get the kibble out of these indentations, which forces them to eat slower.

Make sure to pick the right size for your dog. A bowl that is meant for a small dog is often not appropriate for a larger breed and vice versa. A dog with a much smaller tongue will have absolutely no problem eating out of a bowl meant for a much larger dog.

4. Make Food Puzzles

If you want to try a different method before investing in a slow feeder bowl, you can make your own slow feeder at home. There are plenty of methods to try but one of the easiest ones is to use a muffin tin or baking sheet.

Turn the muffin tin upside down so the cups are facing downward. Put your dog’s food among the muffin cups indentations. Your dog will have to spend time finding their kibble which will force them to eat it much slowly.

You can also use a large baking sheet to spread your dog’s food out in an even layer. Having their food spread out makes it a lot harder for your dog to gobble it up in one or two bites.

What if Nothing is Stopping My Dog From Eating Too Fast?

If you’ve tried these methods and training tips, and your dog is still eating too fast, it might be time to talk to your veterinarian or a dog trainer. These professionals can help you find the next steps and offer valuable training methods to try.

This is just an overview of how to stop a dog from eating too fast. Don’t be afraid to work with your dog and offer different feeding methods to help them slow down. If you’re still having trouble, give your veterinarian a call. They can help you work something out so your dog can slow down and enjoy their food without future complications!