Why is it harmful that my dog eats too fast?
There are some minor reasons to do whatever you can to avoid having your dog gulp his food. Things like choking, gagging, and even vomiting after gulping too much food, and/or air.
But what about the more serious side of things? There is a medical term (Gastric Dilatation-volvulus) also known as GDV. What causes GDV is rapid eating and gulping food, which will lead to air, fluid and food filling the dog's stomach. This can make the stomach expand, sometimes causing it to twist around its axis, thus making it impossible for anything to pass through the dogs stomach and intestines. If that happens, you're in real trouble...
While there are different things which can cause GDV, food is our number one focus today.
When I discovered the slow feeder bowl, I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I was, but at the same time, I was a skeptic as well. I figured he would still find a way to gulp his food, but I was definitely willing to try!
Low and behold... IT WORKED! But it didn't just work, it completely changed the way he eats! He is actually chewing his food, and his whole body is much more relaxed, sometimes to the point of him actually laying down while he eats. While I do not think laying down on the job is the way for him to go about eating his dinner, I am extremely happy to see him feeling relaxed and comfortable while he eats.
Alternatively, if you are unable to purchase a slow feeder bowl, but still need help with your dogs fast eating habits, try adding 2 or 3 baseballs (or tennis balls) to your dogs bowl while he eats.
Need help with your dogs fast eating habits? Try adding 2 or 3 baseballs (or tennis balls) to your dogs bowl while he eats.
— Jenna Drady (@HuskyCrazed) September 15, 2015
Before Hailey went on Prozac she ate to quickly and we have 2 slo-bowls for her that we love. Now she is eating slow (for the time being anyway) I have tucked them away.
ReplyDeleteNice!!!
DeleteWe have slow feeder bowls for all of the dogs. I think when you have multiple dogs they're more apt to eat fast too. Our beagle Kobi was the only one who ever ate slow, and out of a normal bowl!
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag n Woof Pets
Yes! The multiple dog thing definitely makes a difference
DeleteThose slow feeder bowls are great for pups who eat too fast! So glad Koda is eating slower now!
ReplyDeleteOz
They really are!!!! Thanks pal!
DeleteOne of my kitty sistahs (Tigger) tends to eat fast and then throw up (I sometimes eat what she has thrown up if mum doesn't get to it quickly -- mum is almost gagging over that last, bol and mol!!). However, mum doesn't think she would be able to use one of those slow feeder bowls cos the two of them eat out of the same bowl!!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, i'm not too sure hun :/
DeleteJack vacuums in his food. We should check out these bowls!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend them!
DeleteShiner can sometimes eat very quickly. Although more recently, she seems to have slowed down. One weird thing I've noticed is that she eats slower with wet food. I would think the wet food would get eaten more quickly, but I guess she does more licking action or something.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, interesting!
DeleteSlow bowls are great! I'm glad it worked out for Koda! He does look relaxed! LOL!
ReplyDeleteIt worked wonders!!!
DeleteI bought a slow-feeder bowl for Bentley and it works great. The first time he ate out of it, he got mad and walked off but quickly decided that he would just learn to eat slower! BOL!
ReplyDeleteThats EXACTLY what Koda did the first time!!!! hahahahahaha
DeleteEarl and Ethel both have slow feeders. Earl has a GREEN and Ethel has a SloBowl. They're amazing!
ReplyDeleteNice! yes they really are!!!
DeleteWhen Scout and Zoey were puppies, they ate as if they were starving. I didn't think that there was an option for raw feeders, because all the dog dishes seemed to be plastic. I found a stainless steel one that worked great. I would have loved the one you're featuring here, because it's functional and adorable.
ReplyDeleteThey grew out of their fast eating, but now Rodrigo is eating super fast so I'm back on the hunt for a new slow feeder that will fit in his raised dish.
Yes, I suppose it would be different for raw feeders!!!
DeleteLightning had a bowl turned upside down in his bowl for a long time. He has gotten much better about his gulping, but that bowl looks like a great choice.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Ciara and Lightning
I love the one we chose! Super cute, and works great!
DeleteI'm a fast eater and there are some kitty bowls that help slow down eating, too. We'll be reviewing one soon. ~Wally
ReplyDeleteOh nice! can't wait to see it!
DeleteNola's always been a terrible gulper. I float her kibble in water so she almost has to "fish" for it.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh interesting!!!!
DeleteI need a mini one for my cat, Joanie. I usually put a golf ball in to slow her down.
ReplyDeleteThat works too! They sell them for kitties as well!
DeleteThankfully my dogs don't eat too fast. This looks like a great product to help curtail food gulping. Great review!
ReplyDeleteLove & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you! It really does work wonders!!!
DeleteThat is an interesting design for a slow feeder bowl. We use one for Thunder, but it is a different design.
ReplyDelete