How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Too Fast

Some dogs love to eat fast and treat mealtime like a race. The second the food hits their bowl, they inhale it as though someone might take it away. While a dog that eats too fast can seem funny at first, gulping down food too fast can cause problems ranging from choking and vomiting to uncomfortable bloating.

The good news is that there are many simple ways to slow down your dog’s rapid eating and make mealtime a little more relaxed.

Why Dogs Eat Fast

Some dogs eat super-fast for several reasons, and sometimes it simply comes down to instinct. Dogs evolved to eat whenever food was available, so some still have a strong drive to consume a meal quickly. For other dogs, the habit may have started when they were puppies as they were competing with littermates for food.

Some dogs also become fast eaters because they’ve learned that meals are something worth getting excited about. Once they develop the habit of gulping down their food, they may continue doing so even when they have plenty of food and don't need to compete for their meal.

If you have more than one dog, competition can also play a role. Even dogs that normally get along may eat faster when another dog is nearby. Some dogs feel the need to finish their food before another dog (or even cat!) gets the chance to eat it.

Is It Dangerous For a Dog to Eat Too Fast?

Eating too fast isn't necessarily dangerous, but it can create several issues. When dogs gulp their food, they often swallow a lot of air along with it. This can make them feel uncomfortable, cause excessive gas, or lead to burping or hiccups shortly after eating.

When a dog eats too quickly may also vomit shortly after finishing a meal. In some cases, the food comes back up almost immediately because a dog’s stomach can't handle the large amount of food arriving so quickly. You may notice that the food that comes back up looks barely digested.

When a dog eats too fast it can also increase the chance that your dog might choke because dogs don't always take the time to chew properly. More importantly, rapid eating is one of the factors associated with bloat, a very serious emergency for dogs. Larger dogs have a higher risk, although any dog can develop bloat.

Do Dogs Get Full?

Yes, dogs do get full, but that doesn't always stop them from eating. Some dogs have a strong appetite and will happily keep eating even after they've had enough, especially when something smells particularly tempting. Dogs also don't always recognize when they've eaten too much, which is one of the reasons why portion control is important. A dog may seem like he’s hungry after finishing a meal even though he’s eaten enough for the day.

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Too Fast

Below are some tips to help stop your dog from eating too fast:

1. Try A Bowl That Is A Slow Feeder

One of the best ways to slow down a fast eater is to change the way you serve your dog hi s or her food.  Rather than putting your dog's entire meal into a regular bowl, consider using a slow feeder bowl. These bowls have raised sections and different grooves that make it harder for a dog to gulp down large mouthfuls at once.

A slow feeder doesn't prevent your dog from eating as it simply makes your dog work throughout the bowl, encouraging smaller bites and slowing the overall pace of the meal. There are many different designs, so you may need to experiment to find one that works well for your dog.

2. Divide Your Dog's Meals Into Smaller Portions

Another easy way to slow down a dog that eats too fast is to divide the daily amount of food into several smaller meals. Instead of giving your dog one or two large meals, you can split the same total amount of food into three or more smaller portions, depending on your dog's individual needs and feeding schedule.

Smaller meals can make it harder for your dog to overfill the stomach at once and may also help dogs that become extremely excited when they see a full bowl.

However, it’s important to remember that you're dividing the same daily amount of food rather than adding extra calories. Your veterinarian can help you determine how much food your dog should receive each day based on your dog’s age, size, activity level, and health.

3. Try a Food Puzzle or Interactive Feeder

Puzzle feeders can turn your dog’s mealtime into an activity rather than a race.  Puzzle feeders encourages a dog to move, nudge, or manipulate the feeder to get the food.

A food puzzle can slow down your dog’s eating while also providing mental stimulation. Some dogs like to work for their food and therefore an interactive feeder can make meals more interesting and satisfying.

Just make sure the puzzle is appropriate for your dog's size and chewing habits. A very determined dog may try to chew the feeder rather than figure it out, so supervise your dog the first few times you introduce one.

4. Feed Your Dogs Separately

If you have more than one dog, try feeding them in separate areas of the house. You may find that your normally relaxed dog suddenly becomes a speed eater when another dog is standing nearby.

When you feed your dogs’ separately, it removes that sense of competition and gives each dog a chance to eat at a comfortable pace. Depending on your dogs, this may mean using different rooms, baby gates, crates, or simply placing their bowls farther apart.

This can be also be helpful if your dogs like to guard their food or become anxious when another dog approaches their bowl.

5. Add Water to Dry Dog Food

Try adding a little water to your dog’s dry food, it can make it more difficult for some dogs to gulp down large amounts of kibble at once. It can also slow down the eating process because the food becomes softer and less easy to scoop up quickly.

Remember that adding water isn't a substitute for a slow feeder or other feeding strategy. Some dogs will simply continue eating just as quickly, regardless of the texture. If your dog consistently gulps food despite other changes, try combining methods rather than relying on water alone.

6. Spread Out Your Dog’s Food

If you have a dog that tends to inhale his or her meal, you can also try spreading their food out instead of serving it in one concentrated pile. For instance, you can put the kibble across a large flat feeding mat or another surface that is designed to feed dogs.

This strategy increases the distance your dog has to move between bites and makes it more difficult to take several mouthfuls at once. It can be especially useful if your dog doesn't seem interested in puzzle feeders or has difficulty using a complicated slow feeder.

7. Keep Your Feeding Calm – Even Your Tone of Voice

Dogs can pick up on our energy, and making a huge production out of mealtime can sometimes increase your dog’s excitement. It can be helpful to have your dog's feeding routine calm and predictable. Even your tone of voice or saying “breakfast” or “mealtime” should be calm and mellow.

Instead of rushing to put the food bowl down while your dog jumps, spins, or becomes frantic, wait for a calmer moment before serving your dog a meal. Over time, a consistent calm routine can help reduce some of the excitement surrounding food.

When Should You Talk to Your Veterinarian?

If you have a dog that always eats really quickly, it may simply be a habit. However, a sudden change in eating behavior deserves more attention. But, if your pup suddenly starts acting extremely hungry, begging for food constantly, losing weight, or has any behavioral changes, make sure to consult your vet.

You should also contact your veterinarian if your dog regularly vomits after eating, has difficulty swallowing, coughs or chokes while eating, or seems uncomfortable after meals.

And, of course, make sure to see your veterinarian right away, if your dog develops signs that might be bloat, including a swollen or a distended abdomen, repeated attempts to vomit without bringing anything up, excessive drooling, restlessness, weakness, or collapse. Bloat can become life-threatening very quickly.

Final Thoughts

Getting your dog to stop eating too fast doesn't have to be complicated. A slow feeder, smaller meals, separate feeding areas, or an interactive food puzzle can all help turn a frantic meal into a slower and more enjoyable experience. Pay attention to why your dog is eating so quickly, make changes gradually, and talk with your veterinarian if the behavior suddenly changes or comes with other symptoms.