DOGS THAT WOLF THEIR
FOOD DOWN
QUESTION:
Our young dog eats too fast and swallows his dry
food whole, which causes him to throw it up within
minutes after eating. I have reduced his portions
drastically, so that he can only swallow small amounts.
Now I have to feed him so often, it is ridiculous. He
seems to feel the need to eat quickly so as not to miss
out on anything else going on in the house or with his
family. He usually won't eat unless someone is in the
room with him and will quit eating if we leave the room,
unless he is really hungry.
ANSWER: There are
many reasons for this so I will list the main ones as I
don't know enough about your puppy. All can cause a dog
to wolf it's food down to the point of gagging or
regurgitating the food when consumed to fast.
(1) The usual reason is
simply not being fed enough. The dog is just plain
hungry. "Many times a person is following the
recommended portion of food on the container and for
that particular dog it simply is not enough food".
Especially if the dog is a high energy dog who is
burning the calories off quicker than receiving
them. And/or a young, growing pup. Medium to large
breeds of dogs are all pups well into their first
year of life, up to 20 months old for very large,
heavy breeds. With some smaller breeds reaching
maturity from 1 year to 14 months. NOTE: Under this
heading is also an incorrect diet. Human food or a
poor quality type of dog food which is passing
through the intestinal tract, only partly being
digested, which again means the dog is always hungry
because its system is demanding a better food
source. The required nutrients simply are not
present in the diet.
(2) BOREDOM. Some dogs
lead a very boring life (often are alone for long
stretches of time OR have to beg for
attention/demand attention from the owners). Over
disciplining or under disciplining actually either
makes the dog display "Submissive Behavior"
or become even more of a "Can't Let You Out Of My
Site" begging for some/more time spent with it. They
wolf their food down to the point of gagging and/or
regurgitating the food so that they can get back to
following their humans around. Often these types
appear to not want to even eat unless the person(s)
are right in the room with them. Recommendation is
more outside exercise (especially off leash where
they can run and leap and jump freely but preferably
WITH THEIR HUMAN(s), hands on play time and learning
(being taught things, dogs love to learn and please
their owners).
More toys (but not
all at once)! Give them just two or so of their
toys per day and switch to the dogs other toys
often, putting those ones away. Especially CHEW
Toys such as "Good Quality Rawhide Chews" that take
awhile to devour. Always throw them in the garbage
once down to only a piece of the Chew Bone to
prevent the dog choking on the remaining end of
it.
Lots more time spent
with the dog. And, YES, they will eat if your not
in the room. No healthy dog will starve itself
because you aren't there to pay attention to it as
it eats. Simply put the food down and walk away.
They will figure it out.
(3) The dog is
spoiled. Over loved. It reaches the point where it
just wolfs the food down in order to get back to
being coddled and picked up and played with. NOTE:
These types can be just the opposite though too.
They may barely eat, only a piece here or there and
often are so spoiled, they end up making the owner
think, they simply won't eat if not "Hand Fed". And
"Hand Fed" only special things it likes. Which is
not true. No HEALTHY dog will starve itself. They
will eventually eat what is given to them by
themselves.
(4) STRESS: Dogs are
very sensitive to stress in their home (territory).
A dog who feels that his beloved owners are
stressed, may become stressed themselves because
they sense it. These dogs often wolf their food
down, etc and either always are under foot or may
instead go into semi hiding out of the way under
tables or in corners. They eat quickly to get it
over with because they are tense and/or nervous.
(5) Other pets,
especially other dogs. It is a Hereditary Instinct
left over from their wild relatives from long ago.
They wolf down their food to make sure they get
their share of the food as wild canines only get
to eat when food is available. Especially if the
other dog(s) is/are dominate over them.
(6) Never had enough to
eat in their past home(s). Once a dog has been
incorrectly fed or even starved for food, they can
develop the habit of wolfing food down. This is a
next to impossible habit to break, which is
understandable. Especially if other pets (usually
other dogs in the home) See number 5 above.
(7) We have discussed
Mental Anguish above in number 4. If a dog is in a
low level amount of Physical pain continually,
24/7, it may eat rapidly to either take it's mind
off the pain and/or because of the pain. This is
most often seen with "dental/mouth" pain or
"internal digestive system" pain. While most dogs
with such physical pain eat slowly or not enough,
some actually do eat more rapidly.
(8) The dog or puppy
desperately needs to be dewormed. Internal
Parasites rob a dog of many required nutrients,
making them always hungry.
First a visit to the Vet
to rule out any Physical reason. A thorough
examination should be done. Followed by blood
work and urine/stool Analysis for a complete
diagnosis. Then go from there on the usual reasons
listed above. It is always recommended to feed such
dogs the correct amount but divided into 4 feedings
per day. It is also a good idea to buy such toys as
"KonK" toys where pieces of food are placed inside
the toy and the dog must worry and harass the toy to
get the pieces of food out. This relieves "SOME" of
the dogs Boredom and Stress.
