Legitimate problems can emerge from your dog eating too fast. Having your dog excited about mealtime is no problem, but the same can’t be said if your dog remains excited during mealtime.
Once he/she gets that hint that food is about to be served, paws pounding quickly on the floor begins and then the food gulping starts. We’ll discuss how to help him eat slower in this article.
Regurgitating Food
Apologies for the unpleasant image, but food regurgitation can happen when your dog goes through his/her food too quickly.
According to Homes Alive Pets, consuming food too quickly doesn’t give it a chance to arrive in the dog’s digestive system. Because of that, it tends to come back out the same way it came in.
Unless you want to clean plenty of messes in the near future, you will probably want to slow down how quickly your pet is eating.
Gaining Weight
Another side effect of a dog chowing down too hastily is that he/she may end up adding pounds. Dogs may not end up feeling satisfied if their meals don’t get a chance to settle in their stomachs first.
If that habit keeps up, your dog may experience more serious health problems long-term.
Bloat
According to the American Kennel Club, a condition called bloat can occur (stomach twists inside the abdomen). Your dog will need emergency medical attention if that happens to him/her. A dog that eats too fast is at greater risk for developing the condition.
Eating too fast may just be a characteristic of a dog with a healthy appetite, but it’s not something that should be ignored. In next week’s article, we’ll discuss ways to address behavior to prevent bigger problems that might emerge down the line.
TAILored Pet Services can work with you to implement new habits into your dog’s routine. To find out more about how we can help, peruse our website or call us at 425-923-7791.
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