Food gulping

[BoxerWooWoo]

We have been noticing that Emma (4 mo) has been swallowing her food instead of chewing it. I imagine it is hard on her system to have to break down the whole kibbles. Luckily they are small pieces but I would like to get her to chew her food rather than vacuum it down.

We usually feed her after we have been home for a while and have all had time to unwind. We put food in the bowl and leave it for about an hour, at the same times everyday, so I don't think she is worried that she isn't going to get food again. She isn't rushing because of play time as far as I can tell. There are no kids or other pets in the the house. She usually eats when we are just hanging out.

Any ideas?
Need any other information?

Thanks Amanda

 

[BoxerWooWoo]

oops!

I realized this is probably in the wrong place sorry.

 

[ehayes21]

Most dogs don't really "chew" their kibble, but there are a couple things you can do for gulping. One is to place some big rocks in the bowl so they have to work around it, another option is to spread her food out on a towel or a cookie sheet, that way she has to pick it up piece by piece. Good luck!

 

[kayboxer]

Most dogs don't really "chew" their kibble, but there are a couple things you can do for gulping. One is to place some big rocks in the bowl so they have to work around it, another option is to spread her food out on a towel or a cookie sheet, that way she has to pick it up piece by piece. Good luck!

I agree with ehayes. We did the cookie sheet thing for Buster, it does work.

 

[BoxerWooWoo]

Good idea

I will have to try one of those ideas.

Thank you

 

[BoxerMoments]

Dakota was like that when he was younger. His food would be gone before I even got out of the kitchen. As he's gotten older he's slowed down a bit and actually chews some of it now.

 

[HL Hendrix]

Hedrix used to gulp his food down too. After, he would make some terrible noises and once, which was the last straw, puked his meal back up.

Now, I feed him on a towel, except for when we feed wet. It works great because they actually have to think about what they are doing.

I suggest a towel, but the cookie sheet and rock ideas are great as well.

 

[sandy's mom]

Napoleon always acts as though he is starving to death...

I break his food up into sections and even put some of it on the floor, that way he has to take his time and not just vacuum it up.

I have tried rocks and balls in his food bowl, but that did not slow him down much. A kong slows him down a little, but not much.

Good Luck with your baby!

 

[StarIsMyBaby]

Star is a serious gulper as well, but since we switched her to raw she's calmed down. We try to give her large pieces to work with, and feed them partially frozen, and it really makes her work for it! Sounds kind of crazy, but it really worked for her. She inhaled kibble (and had terrible gas too). If you want to stick with kibble, the other suggestions could work, and I've also seen putting a bowl upside down in the food bowl, and then pouring the food on top. Not sure if it works but could be worth a try.

-Erin