Why Does My Dog Eat So Fast

When we sit down for a meal, we usually take time to enjoy our food. Our dog, though, takes a completely different approach. Some dogs are slow eaters, taking their time to chew every little piece and enjoy each bite. Others seem to swallow their food whole without even bothering to consider what it is they’re eating. They eat so fast you can barely blink an eye before the entire meal is gone. Unfortunately, eating so quickly can be quite dangerous for our dogs.

Dogs who eat too quickly can suffer from digestive problems, some of which may be serious. 

Eating too fast can lead to:
Choking
Vomiting
Gastrointestinal discomfort
Food bloat

All of these are issues that can be stressful for both the dog and the owner.

Why do dogs eat quickly?

Competition: Dogs who come from large litters may have had competition early in life for nourishment. Also if you have more than one dog, your fast eater may feel they have to eat quickly to keep other dogs from snatching food from them. This sense of competition could also be instinctual. So, even if your pup is an only dog, they may view other members of the household, including cats and people, as competition. 

Some dogs exhibit fast eating only when they are around another dog.

Poorly or Irregulary meals: Dogs in hoarding situations or dogs fed poorly or irregularly may also develop speed eating and  food-gurding behavior. Some foods aren't well-balanced. If their food is full of refined carbs and not much fibre, they may be super hungry. This can make your dog eat too fast.  

Underlying illness: it's possible that an underlying health condition is causing your dog to feel excessively hungry.

But before you start to panic, Remember: The majority of the dogs, just dive into their food because food is incredibly gratifying to them. 

There are some tips to slow down a dog who’s eating too fast.

Increase feedings: Serving your dog smaller meals two or three times a day instead of giving them all of their food at once may help. Having smaller meals also decreases their risk for bloat.

Hand feed: Labor-intensive but good for bonding, training and slowing down the speed eater, you can hand feed your dog over a few minutes.

Use a slow feeder bowl: Slow feeder bowls have built-in obstacles specifically designed to cause dogs to eat more slowly.