How to slow down a dog that eats too fast! - Page 1

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to slow down a dog that eats too fast?  Any special bowls that work well or  homemade remedies?

The only tricks that have ever worked for the dogs I have that gulp their food are these:

1. Feed by hand, a small amount at a time.
2. Put the food in the bowl a small amount at a time.
3. Don't put the food in the bowl at all and scatter it all over a large baking sheet or even the concrete of a run (assuming it is clean).
4. Let the dog have a bite or two and tell it to sit and wait.
5. Some people have suggested putting a very large rock in the middle of the bowl and making the dog "root" around for the food. I never thought this worked very well.


I routinely use number 3 above because I don't want to stand there to slow the dog down and make a battle out of it. And I never feed these dogs where other dogs are present as that only makes it worse in some cases.

there are bowls that you can get with big lumps built into the (plastic) bowl - this would work I'm sure - personally I've done what hodie suggested - just fed the dog a handful at a time until the required amount was eaten  - or spread it out over the floor, dump on to the bedding/blanket so the dog has to root aroudn for it - or put it into a buddy ball or other treat-dispensing kind of object.   Usually though I just feed a handful on my way down the line feeding dogs - another handful on the way back, another handful coming back through removing bowls, and another handful the next time I'm going by - or just sit there and put a few kibbles at a time in the bowl until the amount is all gone.


rocks in the bowl don't really work - the dog can just nose the rock right out.  Maybe a brick would work - if the dog didn't get a raw nose from that.  Used to have a horse that gulped his food - tried rocks but he would just use his nose like a shovel and toss them right out.  Feeding him on the ground in a bigger flat tub worked better, or pouring the grain on top of hay.

molly

www.brake-fast.net/

This type of bowl is used to help slow down some fast eaters. I have seen several great dane owners use this to help minimize the chances of bloat.

 Try putting a large NylaBone, several large toys, or even a chain in the food bowl with the food. The chain works particularly effectively, as it is harder to pick around... And they won't eat it. Dogs are not stupid, and they cannot swallow it.

I have the same problem with young Izzy, She bolts her food as if she has never been fed i do as is said above i put an handful in the bowl and a handful on a bit of clean concrete in her run she eats the food in the bowl and then on the floor and i do it with each handfull It is a pain but i have not seen the type of bowl over here as shown  by Aureal that is a useful idea and could work, but i have not seen them in Belgium
 i did try a a large stone in the bowl which was egg shaped and smooth but she hooked it out so now i do as above  still not great but nothing else i can think off
Steve1

I have the same problem with young Izzy, She bolts her food as if she has never been fed i do as is said above i put an handful in the bowl and a handful on a bit of clean concrete in her run she eats the food in the bowl and then on the floor and i do it with each handfull It is a pain but i have not seen the type of bowl over here as shown  by Aureal that is a useful idea and could work, but i have not seen them in Belgium
 i did try a a large stone in the bowl which was egg shaped and smooth but she hooked it out so now i do as above  still not great but nothing else i can think off
Steve1

I tried putting her food spread out on a large baking sheet tonight and that worked really well.  She is usually the first one done in seconds and tonight she was the last one done.  I was happy with how slow she ate.
Thanks for that tip Hodie!

feed by hand