Is your dog eating too fast? Some dogs approach mealtime like they’re the world’s most powerful vacuum cleaner.
Dog parents with rescue pups, multiple-pet homes, or highly food-motivated dogs often say their dog is eating too fast.
Thankfully, there are easy ways to slow a dog eating too fast and avoid choking, vomiting, gas, and other health issues. All the solutions are simple and affordable. There are even DIY ideas that will cost you nothing.
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Budget tip: Slowing a dog eating too fast down can help prevent future medical issues and vet bills. A healthier eating routine can often be achieved with a simple DIY trick or a slow feeder bowl. Both are great options for your pup and your wallet.
Note: Some canines naturally eat faster dog food than others. But if your dog regularly chokes, vomits, gulps air, or seems frantic around food, it’s smart to slow things down before it becomes a bigger issue. If you are concerned about it, then consult your vet.
What We Love For A Fast Eating Dog?
- Lick mat – my dog Henry’s favorite
- Snuffle mat – great mental stimulation and encourages slower eating
- Food puzzle game – slows down eating while boosting brain health
- Slow feeder bowl – great for an immediate improvement
Why Is My Dog Eating Too Fast?
There can be a few reasons a dog eats too fast.
- Competition with other household pets. A dog may learn that if he doesn’t eat quickly, then he doesn’t eat when he lives with other dogs.
- Learned behavior from shelters or litters. Some dogs learn rapid eating in a shelter from other pups or even their own litter. A dog may learn they need to be a fast eater to get enough food.
- Anxiety or stress. If a dog has anxiety, he may eat quickly and then go back to his hiding spot.
- Simply loving food. Some dogs just love food and inhale any they find.
- Irregular feeding schedule. If your dog doesn’t have a regular feeding schedule, then he may eat quickly, not knowing when the next meal is coming.
- Not getting enough mental enrichment. Some bored dogs who aren’t getting enough mental stimulation will eat quickly as part of their entertainment.
- Certain breeds are naturally food-obsessed. Some dog breeds, like Retrievers (Golden and Labrador), Pugs, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, and Cocker Spaniels, are naturally very food-motivated.
When I adopted my dog, Henry, he didn’t like any pet food. When I finally got him to eat, he was inhaling his food at mealtime as quickly as I’d set it out. But he would reach his limit and stop eating. Then, I learned that feeding him smaller portions was helpful. But if he’s exerted a lot of energy with a big hike, he still has a tendency to eat quickly. So, I break his portions up a bit more.
Is Eating Too Fast Dangerous for Dogs?
When a dog eats too fast, it can increase the risk of various conditions. These include:
- Choking
- Vomiting
- Gagging
- Burping
- Gas or dog bloat caused by swallowing food and air quickly
- Other digestive issues
- Possible increased risk of bloat in deep-chested breeds, such as a Great Dane, German Shepherd, Standard Poodle, and Greyhound.
How to Slow Down a Dog Eating Too Fast
There are several simple ways to slow down a dog eating too fast.
Discover more ways to boost your dog’s health easily and affordably in this guide.
Use a Slow Feeder Bowl
A simple slow feeder bowl like this one can force your dog to eat more slowly. It also engages their mind as they have to search a bit for the food.
If you have a super food-obsessed dog, you may want to secure the bowl on a raised platform or in a corner so it can’t be flipped.
Try a Snuffle Mat
A snuffle mat is a great option for slowing down a dog eating too fast.
It also increases your dog’s mental stimulation, as your pup has to search the mat for the food.
However, if you feed your dog wet or fresh food, a snuffle mat might not be a great idea. But it will work with dry or freeze-dried food.
Feed Smaller Meals More Often
Spreading meals out throughout the day with smaller portions can work very effectively. So, instead of feeding your dog one cup twice a day, you could divide those meals into four smaller servings throughout the day.
If you feed your dog a dry, freeze-dried, or stable (non-refrigerated) food, then you can also use a timed feeder to make sure your pup gets fed regularly.
Spread Food on a Lick Mat
My dog Henry loves his lick mats. He’s an enthusiastic licker and can move bowls and plates across the floor. I like these lick mats with the super strong suction cups on the back. They are also dishwasher-safe, which is great!
Use Food Puzzles
A simple puzzle feeder forces your dog to eat more slowly. It also engages your dog’s mind, which is always a good thing.
Hand Feeding Part of The Meals
Using part of your dog’s meal as the reward for training is a great option. I’ve done this with Henry a lot.
The only problem with this solution is that if you don’t have time to train or you don’t feel well enough to train, your dog will sit and beg for you to feed as normal. Henry has whined several times when I couldn’t train with his dinner.
Separate Dogs During Meals
My childhood dog, Tag, would eat his food and then rush to eat his buddy Homer’s food as well. Homer wouldn’t get any food. So, we finally fed them in separate locations, which definitely helped. Sometimes the best option with multiple dogs or pets is to separate them at mealtime.
Add Obstacles to the Bowl
Some dog parents place a large dog-safe object in the bowl to slow the eating pace. However, always supervise your dog and avoid anything small enough to become a choking hazard.
A large ball can work, but avoid it if your dog is a chewer or toy-obsessed.
Increase Daily Mental Enrichment
All dogs need an adequate amount of mental stimulation daily. This free tool tells you how much enrichment activities your pup needs each day.
You can increase your dog’s mental enrichment with:
What NOT To Do When Your Dog Is Eating Too Fast
It can be stressful when your dog is eating too quickly, especially if they choke. Henry used to choke before I discovered how to slow his eating habits.
But there are a few things you should never do with your buddy. They include:
- Don’t punish your dog for fast eating
- Don’t use unsafe objects in food bowls
- Don’t suddenly restrict food drastically
- Don’t ignore repeated vomiting or other symptoms after meals
When To Call the Vet
While fast eating may seem like a simple behavioral issue, there can be times when you need to call your vet. These include:
- Choking after or while eating
- Repeated vomiting after eating
- Diarrhea or undigested food in feces
- Bloated abdomen
- Lethargy
- Refusal to eat
- Pain signs with slow-moving or cautious eating
If you’ve ruled out medical issues with your vet, then you may want to consult a pet behaviorist. They are trained to discover the root cause of an issue and provide solutions.
How Does Solving My Dog Eating Too Fast Save Me Money
Finding the reason and the right solution for your furry friend can definitely save you money. Consider the possible issues and cost savings.
| Possible Issue | Estimated Cost |
| Bloat | $3,000 – 8,000 |
| Dental issues from vomiting or poor chewing habits | $100 – 3,000 |
| Behavioral issues (such as food guarding) | $30 – 100+ |
| Emergency choking incident with potentially life-threatening and emotionally devastating | HEARTBREAKING!!! |
| Healthy and Happy Eating Dog | PRICELESS!!!! |
Discover more ways to reduce your dog’s expenses by avoiding the hidden costs most dog parents overlook.
Related articles:
- Pawsitively Perfect: Dog Lick Mat Benefits
- Your Dog’s Brain Exercise Needs Revealed
- Behaviorists for Dogs: Miracle Workers for Mischievous Mutts
- Is There a Cheap Easy Way to Train Your Dog?
- Picky Eating Dog? Unlock the Secret Solutions
- Hidden Dog Expenses: Why Good Dog Parents Spend More Than They Expect
FAQ About Dogs Eating Too Fast
Can dogs get sick from eating too fast?
Yes. When a dog eats too fast, they may develop stomach upset, gas, or bloating from swallowing food and air too quickly. Also, fast eating increases your dog’s risk of choking, which can be scary for your pup and you.
Why does my dog act starving all the time?
Your dog may have learned the behavior from a pup friend, shelter buddy, or littermate. Or if you have other dogs in your home, your dog may have learned that he needs to eat fast in order to have anything to eat.
Are slow feeder bowls safe?
As long as you purchase a dog-safe feeder, it should be safe for a dog eating too fast. Personally, I look for a heavy bowl and dishwasher safe.
Do puzzle feeders help with fast eating?
Yes, they should. The theory is that you give your dog his meal through the puzzle. It may take a few times of filling up the feeder, but it can slow down eating and increase mental stimulation. Also, lick mats and snuffle mats can do the same thing. You can even freeze a lick mat for added stimulation and slower eating.
Can eating too fast cause bloat in dogs?
Yes, it can, and that’s a great incentive to slow down your dog’s eating to a more normal pace. Bloat is scary for your pup and a costly vet bill for you. Avoiding it if at all possible is a good idea.
Final Thoughts on Dogs Eating Too Fast
A dog eating too fast is something you’ll want to address quickly, especially if it comes with other issues such as choking, vomiting, diarrhea, or aggressive food guarding.
Simple changes like smaller portions throughout the day, a slow feeder, a lick mat, a snuffle mat, a regular food schedule, and separation from other household pets may be all you need to slow down your dog’s eating behavior. I’m grateful my dog, Henry, does well with his lick mat and smaller portions.
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