Slow down your dog's food-gobbling

I have written previously about my dog Rosie's food gobbling problem, and some of the methods I've used to slow her eating. Food gobbling can lead to vomiting, belching and flatulence. Vomiting is a signal that something is seriously wrong with the dog's eating and digestive process. Belching and flatulence are signs that your dog's system is trying to balance out pressure inside and outside of his body. Eating too fast can cause bloat, gagging, and choking, and can affect your dog's ability to get the most nutrients from his food.

I was asked to test a new product called the Dog Pause Bowl, designed to force your dog to eat his or her food more slowly. They sent me 2 of their bowls free, in exchange for my opinion of their product. My first impression of the bowls was that they are very solidly made, and I could see instantly how it would take the dogs longer to eat their food. Abby had no problem with the change, and it took her about twice as long to finish her food. Rosie at first wasn't so sure about this new bowl, and sat in front of it for a while, looking at it and then at me. She eventually decided to eat, and it took her about twice as long to finish also. On the second morning, she went right to work eating with no hesitation. I am very pleased with these bowls, as they easily solved Rosie's gulping behavior. Both dogs were very involved with eating in a methodical way, and weren't concerned about finishing first and moving in on the other's bowl. Meal time is much more peaceful with the new bowls.

Other than receiving the 2 free bowls, I haven't been compensated in any way and am not an affiliate for them. I truly believe in this product and have given you my honest opinion in the hope it will help others with the same problem. If you'd like more information on the Dog Pause Bowl, CLICK HERE. They are currently on sale for $17.95. You can watch a 45 second side by side video of a dog eating from his bowl, compared to the Dog Pause Bowl, and it takes the test dog nearly twice as long to finish his food with the new bowl.

Slowing your dog's intake of food can eliminate all kinds of health problems. The Dog Pause Bowl is a simple fix for a potentially dangerous problem that will help extend your dog's life.

Does your dog gobble his food?

I've been reading about how to deal with my Rosie's food gobbling as I was concerned about her choking.

Food gobbling by a dog can cause choking, as well as digestive upsets and obstructions. It's common in short-snouted dogs such as pugs and bulldogs. This behavior is also common in dogs who have stayed in a kennel, or if there is more than one pet in the household and they're fed at the same time, as it causes a sense of competition. It's a natural reaction from their days as wolves when they didn't know when they would get their next meal, and eating fast was necessary for their survival. It's very common for a dog that was forced to wander the streets to feel he never has enough food. Even well fed dogs will steal food or raid garbage cans as they are natural scavengers of food left from other predators, and there's no such thing as too much food to a dog.

Obedience training can be very helpful for this behavior. You can also help by not reinforcing the bad behavior. If your dog begs when you're eating, don't give him any food from the table. Food stealing can be stopped by putting groceries away promptly, clearing the table immediately after eating, securing the dog in another room while eating, along with securing trash can lids tightly.

Many dog owners have had success with spreading the food out on the floor or on a cookie sheet, as it forces the dog to slow down and eat each piece individually. Another idea is to spread the food on the grass outside, as it stimulates them mentally and fulfils their hunting instinct. Yet another suggestion is to place a large rubber ball or Kong toy in the dish before adding the food, as the dog must slow down to eat around the object.

Treats are another area of concern for a gobbling dog. If your dog grabs his treats, try saying "easy", and hold it securely. You can also growl at him like his mother would do until he settles down and takes it nicely. For chewing, rawhide isn't a good idea as the dog can break off large sections and swallow them whole. You can try a chicken or beef flavored nylon bone, as they don't break off as easily, but the dog can possibly still gnaw off and swallow some chucks. Pig ears seem to be the best choice, as the taste is appealing to dogs, they are the right size to avoid the dog swallowing it whole, and they hold up to even the strongest pair of jaws, providing hours of chewing enjoyment.

I'm now using the techniques of spreading out the food, and holding the treats firmly with Rosie, and they're working beautifully.

Pumpkin helps dog's stomach upsets

Here's a tip I learned from Forum.Dog.Com. If your dog has an upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation, try feeding a teaspoon of pumpkin, either alone or add it to their food. It must be canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. I tried this with our new family member Rosie recently. We adopted her from a rescue organization, and she was very nervous about everything, new home, new food, meeting new people, etc. There were a few days when she refused her food, but I could hear her stomach churning and she obviously didn't feel well. I tried giving her a mixture of pumpkin and yogurt, and she ate it right up. I mixed in the yogurt because she will always eat that and I wasn't sure if she would eat the pumpkin alone). Very soon after, she went to her bowl and ate all her food and was ready for her walk.

For diarrhea, the fiber in pumpkin absorbs water and can help in just a few hours. For constipation, pumpkin is rich in fiber, and just takes 1 or 2 teaspoons to get things moving again.

If diarrhea or constipation lasts more than 24 to 48 hours, call your vet.

Improve dog's health with fatty acids and probiotics

If your dog suffers from skin allergies, supplementing the diet with fatty acids (a balanced Omega 3 / EPA/ DHA formula) can relieve the itching while the all natural diet takes hold. I used Nature's Logic North Atlantic Sardine Oil, from Only Natural Pet Store; a link to Only Natural Pet Store is on the right.

In addition, dogs need essential friendly bacteria in their digestive tract to remain healthy. The digestive system balance can be thrown off by any of the following:
*antibiotics
*diarrea
*overgrowth of fungus (yeast) after illness
*dietary imbalance from foods lacking proper nutrients
*required amount of friendly bacteria or flora wasn't produced after birth

The addition of yogurt to the diet can help, but it may not be enough. The addition of probiotic supplements can increase energy and stamina, disease resistance, and overall health, and is especially helpful with allergies. Pet-strength probiotics can be purchased at Only Natural Pet Store or Botanical Dog; links at the left.

Years of eating cooked dry kibble can leave your dog's immune system depleted of probiotics. A raw meat diet is a great source of natural probiotics.