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Dogs enjoy the simple things in life: A walk in the park, a nap in the sun, and a yummy meal. Unfortunately, some pooches seem to enjoy their food a little too much. They gobble it down within a matter of minutes. Not only can this be annoying, but it could also be dangerous for your dog. A slow feeder could help your pet take his time over his food, which could be safer for him and make things more pleasant for you as well.
Why Might Dogs Eat Too Quickly?
If your dog finishes her meals too quickly, the first thing you should do is take her to the vet, especially if this is a new development or she is showing other troubling symptoms. It could be that she has a medical condition that is preventing her from metabolizing her food properly. For example, diabetes can cause rapid weight loss in dogs, and their appetites go into overdrive trying to make up for what they've lost.
If you've ruled out a medical condition, the problem may be behavioral. He may have learned bad eating habits at a shelter, or he may feel that he is in competition with other dogs in your household and has to finish his food before the others take it away from him.
A slow feeder is not the only possible solution to behavioral issues such as these, but it is an easy solution that is usually effective.
What Is a Slow Feeder?
A traditional dog bowl is essentially a shallow concavity that offers unobstructed access to the contents. This makes it easy for your dog to gobble her food if she is so inclined. A slow feeder is built with bumps, ridges, and similar obstructions. Some of these obstructions are relatively simple, while others are elaborate. They may look like puzzles, games, or even abstract works for art. Whatever the appearance or complexity of the obstructions, your dog has to navigate around them to get to the food. The increased effort required forces her to eat more slowly.
What Are the Benefits of a Slow Feeder?
When your dog eats too quickly, he may swallow a lot of air at the same time. This can cause flatulence which, though not dangerous for the dog, may make things unpleasant around your home. When your dog eats more slowly, he doesn't swallow as much air, which can reduce flatulence.
Swallowing a lot of air can also cause a serious medical issue. Known colloquially as bloat, the medical term is gastric dilatation and volvulus. Gastric dilatation means that the stomach swells to an abnormal size due to the excess air, and volvulus means that something in your dog's gut has gotten twisted around. Whatever you call it, it is a veterinary emergency and could be fatal for your dog. Using a slow feeder to pace your dog at mealtimes could potentially save her life by preventing bloat.
It takes a while for a dog's body to send a message to the brain that the stomach is full. If your dog eats too quickly, he may still be hungry afterward because his brain has not yet caught up to his stomach. This can lead to overeating. A slow feeder forces your dog to take his time while eating. By the time he is finished, his brain should have gotten the message that he is full.
As with human beings, eating quickly makes dogs more likely to choke. A slow feeder gives her time to chew up her food completely before swallowing, making choking less likely.
If a dog eats too quickly, his stomach may not have time to digest the food properly. This could cause him to vomit. A slow feeder reduces the risk by giving the stomach time for proper digestion.
A slow feeder requires your dog to employ some problem-solving to get at her meal. This provides mental stimulation to help her brain stay sharp and prevent her from getting bored. A bored dog seeking stimulation may resort to destructive behaviors, so a slow feeder may help keep your home and possessions intact by giving your pet a constructive outlet.
Don't worry about having to scrub around the obstructions when cleaning a slow feeder. Most are safe to put in the dishwasher.
What Are Some of the Best Slow Feeders For Dogs?
There are several different varieties of slow feeders, ranging from the simple to the elaborate:
1. The simplest slow feeders divide your dog's food into smaller compartments. This makes it impossible for him to eat the food all at once. They may also come in whimsical shapes.
2. Other slow feeders have raised obstructions that your dog must eat around. These can be simple and utilitarian or elaborate and almost decorative.
3. In addition to compartments or raised obstructions, some slow feeders are interactive in other ways. For example, some spin around to control the rate at which food is dispensed into the bowl. Your dog's efforts to solve the puzzle are rewarded.
4. If your dog eats too fast, she could spill her food, which is inconvenient for you. Some slow feeders have high sides and a weighted bottom that tilts without toppling over to prevent spills in addition to the obstructions in the base.
5. Despite the many benefits of slow feeders, some have expressed concerns about dogs ingesting plastic fragments or damaging their teeth by chewing on hard obstructions. If your dog is a chewer as well as a fast eater, a dog feeding mat made with long tendrils of cloth provides the same benefits with no plastic for your dog to chew on.
A slow feeder may be sufficient to change your dog's eating habits. If you still have any concerns, consult your veterinarian.
