He eats super fast as though he has never eaten before. Lately he has been throwing up after eating so fast and the puppy chow is still whole. I have seen suggestions of a puppy feeder toy - what is this? The vet says to increase the number of feedings and decrease the amount of food at each feeding. Any suggestions?
2006-08-01 16:02:45 · 11 answers · asked by luvlabs 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My suggestion is exactly as the vet said.. it is quite simple..If you want to spend the money, there are feeders at the pet supply stores to slow him down,,because it feeds just 2 or 3 pieces at a time..
Another way to slow him down is to put his food in a bundt cake pan..But, just feeding him less and more often is the simplest remedy..
2006-08-01 19:46:51 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's instinct. In order to survive in the wild- animals need to eat as much as they can, as fast as they can. You never know what kind of animal is going to pick off the rest, or even when your next meal will be. My suggestion is to limit his meal portions. A puppy feeder toy sounds like a great idea, and it can be found at any pet store- it is basically a toy that is hollow that you fill up with puppy chow. It has holes in the sides where your puppy chews and scratches at the food to get it out. He can only get out a certain amount at a time, so he cant eat to much too fast. Eventually he will learn that he will be fed consistently everyday, and that his meals are not limited- hopefully then he will realize that there is not rush. I wish you and your puppy the best of luck!
2006-08-01 16:16:25 · answer #2 · answered by danica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Domesticated dogs have the same basic instincts as wild dogs do. You can take the dog out of the wild but you cant take the wild out of the dog. Because in the wild their is no garrentee when the pack will eat again they will sometimes ingorge themselves when they do eat. This gives them enough energy to sustain themselves until they can hunt again. This can sometimes be days. This basic instinct remains with our dogs today. Do as the vet says, reduce the ammount of food and increase the number of times feed. Do not let your dog get all excited and run around after eating. This will cause your dog to throw up and develop 'twisted stomach' which is a painful disorder of the intestines and stomach that will need to be corrected by surgery.
Good Luck
2006-08-01 16:12:01 · answer #3 · answered by Pawsitive K9 Consulting 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your vet is right, it is a good idea to eliminate this habit as it can cause a condition known as "bloat"..more info here..http://www.caringforcanines.com/article-caninebloat.shtml
The puppy feeder toy your vet is referring to is most commonly known as a "treat/puzzle ball" or "food cubes" You can view examples of these toys here.. http://www.sitstay.com/store/toys/toysd.shtml
http://www.dogtoys.com/foodcubesballs.html
You can also simply feed him less amounts of food at more intervals during the day...For example, instead of feeding him 2 cups of food twice a day, feed him 1 cup of food 4 times a day, or 1/2 cup of food eight times a day. If he is also drinking excessively after eating fast...do the same thing with his water, give smaller amounts more often.
2006-08-01 16:22:40 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All puppies do that, or even dogs with other dogs around. I think that they are afraid that someone else is going to eat his food. You see puppies doing that and fighting over the food, Well, I think that after someone adopts them they are just in the habit of eating fast so they just continue to do so until they realize it's all theirs.
2006-08-01 16:59:42 · answer #5 · answered by Vicm0322 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 1 year old mini dacshund eats super fast too. And sometimes he will choke and gag halfway. To prevent this, I put a paper weight in the middle of his food. You can try putting objects like rocks or a toy. He will eat around object and that ought to slows him down.
Try it!!
It doesnt really cost anything and it works!!
2006-08-01 16:16:14 · answer #6 · answered by bleurose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a little gobbler. There is this great product you can add to your pets dry food. It looks like balls of shredded wheat but they are actually dental treats for cleaning the dogs teeth. They sell them at my vet so you may check your vet to see if they carry such a product. Before they are round and crunchy, mixing a few into his food will help him slow down.
2006-08-01 16:13:18 · answer #7 · answered by Chick with pets 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try not to stare at your dog during feeding time. Give it a bone and it will take its sweet time licking it.
2006-08-01 16:17:09 · answer #8 · answered by RunSueRun 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think all puppies eat fast. All mine did, and they were fine. I think its one of those weird things.
2006-08-01 16:07:58 · answer #9 · answered by sarahmoonstone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he may feel treatened that somebody may take his food away before he can finish. i dont know what u can do about it though.
2006-08-01 16:09:29 · answer #10 · answered by Rock... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋