Just as it is important for us human beings to eat properly and with balance, it is no different for animals. Therefore, knowing what to do when the dog eats too much or feeds too fast can be a way for you to help keep your pet’s health up to date and help him deal with meals in a less hectic way.
First of all, it is worth mentioning that: we know that it is common for some dogs to get too excited when it comes to “food”. Although this behavior is common, especially in puppies, it is not ideal. After all, when the pet eats too much and/or too quickly, it could compromise its digestive system in the future.
That way, if you notice that your pet acts this way, check out our tips and find out what to do when your dog eats too much or too quickly. There are some techniques that help to circumvent this behavior and make the meal time less hectic and troubled. Follow!
– You may also be interested in: How to feed my pet correctly?
What to do when the dog eats a lot? See 5 tips that can help your pet!
1. Investigate the causes that may be leading to this
A good tip to know what to do when your dog eats a lot is to investigate the possible causes that lead to this behavior. For this, you can resort to a specialized veterinarian, as there are several possibilities that lead the pet to feed too much.
Sometimes the animal suffers from anxiety around meals due to various factors related to the environment in which it lives. And these factors can be better understood with the help of a professional.
Also, the pet may exhibit this behavior because it is malnourished, obese or even has a hormonal problem, such as Cushing’s syndrome, which has as one of its characteristics an insatiable appetite and a very quick action to eat.
As there are several possibilities, to have the correct diagnosis and know what to do when the dog eats a lot, having the right professional follow-up can be important.
2. Set meal times and spread them out throughout the day
If you are looking to know what to do when your dog eats a lot, try to make him have an organized schedule routine. In addition to stipulating time to wake up, sleep, walk and train, it’s also cool to know when the pet’s meal times will be.
Also, if he usually eats twice a day, check the possibility of offering food three or four times. Always, of course, respecting the ideal daily amount for his weight and age, in addition to following the veterinarian’s guidelines.
Creating this routine with habits can help reduce the dogs’ anxiety and, with that, make the rhythm of meals more suitable for them.
3. Use interactive toys that stimulate the puppy’s skills and “force” him to eat slowly
There are several feeders and interactive toys that, in addition to stimulating the pet’s cognitive skills, also turn meal times into a fun challenge. These toys “difficult” access to food, forcing the pet to eat more slowly.
In addition to toys to stimulate pet skills, another way to make him spend more energy during the day is to increase the amount of walks. This can help to reduce the dog’s anxiety and, consequently, his food compulsion.
4. Choose quiet places and times for the pet to feed, without “stirring it up”
Don’t make too much of a party at your pet’s meal time and only release the food when he is less agitated and euphoric.
Very noisy and/or busy environments, with the presence of other pets or with the prospect that the tutor will leave soon can cause agitation in the puppies. And it can hurt their meal timing.
So choose a meal time when the pet can eat calmly, without being interrupted. Also, he should not feel threatened or urged to protect the food, as this can make him eat faster.
5. Take care not to encourage gluttony in your pet
The pet’s meal can be served at the same time that the tutor and/or his family go to eat. However, it is important to remember that you must ensure that the puppy only eats the food that is intended for him.
It is common for dogs to be greedy by nature. So, if the tutor and/or someone else offers the pet some food that he is not used to eating, this will probably be very attractive to him. And, of course, it will make him want to eat these different options more and more.
It is up to the tutor not to encourage this habit, as it can lead to a greater compulsion at meals and make the dog always wait for this “pleasure” when feeding.
Now you know what to do when your dog eats a lot – and you also know good tips to prevent this from happening!
Following these guidelines above and knowing what to do when the dog eats a lot, it will probably be easier to deal with this situation that can be uncomfortable for both you and your pet.
Also, it is always worth mentioning that, if you have any doubts on the subject, it is important to seek the follow-up of a veterinarian. Surely, this professional will be able to help you deal with your pet’s ′′ gluttonous ′′ behaviors in the best possible way.