How do I stop my dog from bolting his food?

Question

I feed my dog the required amount every day (we did have to put him on a diet when we first got him as he was a rescue puppy and very overweight) he is know the weight he should be and he is fed a dry diet (science plan)

He is 2 years old and no matter what we do he just bolts his food down (don't think he actually chews) and after he has eaten he sniffs around looking for more. He is wormed regularly at the vets.

What can i do to stop him behaving like this - he acts as though it is his last meal on earth.

thanks for the advice - he is fed twice daily and he goes out for 2 long walks a day, he is a fit dog now (from when we 1st got him) it is just the rushing of his food. the vet recommended the Science plan - what else is on the market, I don't want to give him tinned food (cos it makes the poo yukky and runny and harder to pick up)

Answer 1

Some dogs, especially rescues, tend to wolf down their food. It's bad for them to do so because it can contribute to them bloating. A couple of ways to slow him down:

1. Hand feed him. This is also part of a training technique (called Nothing In Life Is Free or NILF) to remind him that you're the one the food comes from. By hand feeding, you control how quickly he eats. Give him one nugget of food at a time.

2. Put something large into his bowl so he has to eat around it. A lot of people will put the food in a large bowl, then put a small bowl on top so the dog has to eat around the small bowl. Only problem with that one is a lot of dogs learn to pull the small bowl out and then wolf their food.

3. Spread the food out on a cookie sheet. The more it's spread out, the slower he has to eat it. He can't just grab big mouthfuls and gulp them down.

4. Get him a Buster Cube and feed him that way. It's a hollow toy with a hole on one side. You put the food in and he has to roll the cube around to get the food to fall out. Keeps him busy and he'll only get a little food at a time.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

He needs to learn patience. Try this method. When you feed him make him sit, praise him and tell him to stay. Withold his food for a few seconds while making him stay. Gradually work to the point where he stays until you put the dish down and then to where he stays for a few seconds after putting the dish down and finally give him other commands once the dish is down. This teaches him to work for his food and to be patient. You can also get him a larger bowl so the food is flatter and more difficult for him to pick up or they have a special dish with raised portions that the dog has to work around for the food that helps slow him down. You can also try putting tennis balls or baseballs in the dish too for him to work around. Once the patience is instilled and he realizes that he will get another meal the bolting will reduce. A better quality food would be good too. Science diet used to be okay but they did the same thing Iams did and switched to cheap fillers as main ingredients. I personally use Innova but Canidae is also very good and cheaper. With the better quality foods you don't have to feed as much either.

Answer 3

I read about a dog in Your Dog magazine who ate too fast, they suggested stuffing his food into a Kong toy. Or if you feed dry food, spreading it out side on the grass so they have to hunt for it and look for it. In the wild dogs spend hours hunting for food, as pets they just get it dished up twice a day and they don't have to work to find it.... make him work for the food, that way it slows him down.

Don't wet the food like someone else suggested it makes their poo very runny. Make sure he has clean fresh water available all the time ( sure you know and do anyway!)

Answer 4

May want to try feeding twice daily instead of just once. And try hand feeding for awhile (give him a few pieces at a time, so he has to eat at the pace you set). It really only takes a few minutes, but does teach him where the food actually comes from (you, not the bowl). You may also want to institute food bowl waits, if you don't already. This will teach him he has to wait for your ok before he gets to eat. As for teaching him to slow down and chew, not sure there is anything you can do about that.

Answer 5

don't worry about it too much. Most dogs eat like that naturally, though some will do it much more than others. Since you resued him as a puppy and he only just now 2 years old, it might still take a while for him to eat like a normal animal. Just give him time. It is really hard for animals, and people, to forget certain situations and habits. He is not yet used to only having a certain amount of food, so his mind is still expecting more food than he is getting even though it is as much as he needs.

Answer 6

You may want to try this:
http://www.gizmag.com/go/5717/
I've heard good things about them especially on large breeds where bloat is of concern. Somebody mentioned feeding twice daily but I don't see in your question that you were feeding only once. I agree that twice daily is a good idea. A good breakfast and then lunch around 4-5ish PM. And a high quality food like Royal Canin would be best as well.

Answer 7

We feed our Large breed dog IAMS. This foods first ingredient is the Meat. Which is what I've always been told is one of the main points in a good food.
If he was put on a diet when you first got him, he probably was used to eating larger quantities of food, therefore his stomach was stretched (so-to-speak) so he wasn't feeling full when he was done.
This may still be the case.
Are you feeding him just once a day?
This could also be the reason. He sits all day and is very hungry.
I would take what he is supposed to have for the entire day and split it into thirds. Feed him 3 times a day. Morning-Noon-Night. Also I would add some warm water to his food to soften it. If he is swallowing it whole, and it's a dry food, this could do dammage to his throat, and isn't such a good idea to swallow whole.

Hope he will calm down. Next time you visit the Vet, ask him what he thinks. Maybe a slight increase in amt. of food may be the answer.

Good Luck.... Hugs to your dog.

Answer 8

stop dog bolting food

Answer 9

Try foods like Canidae, or Innova Evo. Vets don't really know alot about nutrition, it just isn't covered during vet school.

Space his food out, split up his meal into several smaller bowls and then space those out. He can't inhale it as fast if he has to go around to several different bowls.

Is he a lab mix by chance?

Answer 10

Could be that he isn't getting enough nutrition from the food.. Good quality foods supply their nutrition in less food.. Foods like Science Diet for one, they have to eat more to get the nutrition they need. Try feeding a quality food, he'll get his nutrition and won't be hungry all the time. Science Diet has a lot of fillers, might fill his belly but not his nutritional needs.