Is it OK if my dog doesnt chew his kibble?

We are the proud parents of a 16 week old GSD female. We got her at 8 weeks.

The breeder we got her from would feed them using a bowl and would give them a 30 minute "all you can eat" buffet. We've been cutting her food intake because she was a little chubby and we are trying to slow her growth now to try and prevent hip problems in the future. We read in a few studies that slowing down their food intake & growth in the first year can help reduce the chances of hip dysplasia slightly.

Anyhow, she's always hungry for her kibble. We use kibble for training and hand feed her for her 2 meals a day to make sure we have a good handle on her mouth/bite and our hands. The problem we're having is that she NEVER chews her kibble. She just swallows them whole! Every other day or so she'll cough and a whole piece of kibble will fly out of her mouth. It's the cutest thing but I just worry that if it were a big piece of food she could choke on it. Any suggestions on how we can get her to eat more slowly so she actually chews her food?

I have two dogs and recently rescued the second one. My rescued puppy (5 months old) also inhaled food the first week she was here and the rescue organization said she'd been doing this for the month that they had her. They told me that they were adding wet dog food in her bowl to try to get her to eat slower and help digestion, but this was still not helping. Not only did she inhale, but she'd eat EVERYTHING in the bowl in about 15 seconds and then drink a WHOLE bowl of water. yikes!!!

I followed this advice from another forum and it worked like a charm:

1) I measured out the daily dose of food in a measuring cup, then throughout the day fed her just a little bit. Basically every time we passed the bowl I put a little food in there until the daily measurement was gone, so she would understand the bowl replenishes OFTEN, every time I see it there's food in there -- just make sure you measure so you're not overfeeding. (I also made her sit before I gave her the food)

2) The second was that for 2 days I crushed the food up for her into smaller pieces. a) it's unpleasant to inhale powery food b) she learned it tastes better when you're not just swallowing it whole.

3) On day 3 I reintroduced whole kibble (still doing step 1)

After 3 days time she had started to chew the food and within a week she was totally cured of this habit. Now she takes a little mouthful and chews it beside the bowl so she's not even protecting the food, even with my other dog there.

I hope this helps someone out there with the same problem.

(I work from home, so if you can't be there with the dog with that level of intensity try this on the weekends - might take a little longer)

You can also help him to slow down and chew his food by moistening his food with water or switching to wet food. Another alternative is to get larger kibbles that will stop him from swallowing too many whole pieces. The dog food bowl that you use may also be the problem.

Is it bad if my dog doesn’t chew his food?

The first danger is that your dog could choke or gag on his food. Dog owners know the “Ack ack” sound well. If he swallows food without chewing, the pieces get stuck in his throat (Ack!). … This can cause your dog to vomit or regurgitate and lead to a serious condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus, or bloat.

Why is my dog not chewing his food?

One of the most common reasons for this is because they gorge their food. Gorging can be defined as eating greedily. … Pets that eat fast and then throw-up whole pieces of food usually are not properly chewing their food. If a dog or cat doesn’t chew their food, the chances of seeing the food again increase dramatically!

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Should I force feed my dog if he won’t eat?

When a dog will not eat on its own, you may have to force feed him. Force feeding should be done under the advice and monitoring of your veterinarian, who will advise you regarding the diet to be administered. If force feeding is unsuccessful, tube feeding may be required. However, expert administration is critical.

Why does my dog eat like he’s starving?

In many of the above cases, the underlying mechanism leading to increased hunger is the same: your dog’s body is unable to absorb the nutrients in the food or digest it properly, so their appetite goes into overdrive. They are actually starving no matter how much food they eat, so they compensate by eating everything.

How fast is too fast for a dog to eat?

If your large dog can finish 2 cups of food in under 60 seconds, that’s too fast. If your small dog can finish 1/2 cup of food in under 30-45 seconds, that’s too fast.

Why does my dog eat his food so fast?

Competition: If you have more than one dog, your fast eater may feel they have to eat quickly to keep other dogs from snatching food from them, says PetSafe. Or, they may have had to compete for food as a puppy with their litter mates. This sense of competition could also be instinctual.

How can I get my dog to slow down when eating fast?

To slow your pet down, here are 5 tips:

• Start by talking to your vet. Rule out any parasites and ensure that they are getting the nutrition they need. …
• More frequent meal times. …
• Use a slow feeder bowl or puzzle toy. …
• Use a muffin pan, or Bundt pan. …
• Put a ball or toy in the bowl with their food.

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17.08.2018

What happens if you swallow food without chewing?

When you don’t chew your food enough, the rest of your digestive system becomes confused. Your body may not produce enough of the enzymes needed to fully break down your food. This could lead to digestive problems, including: bloating.

Does dog chew their food?

Dog Manners

Dog owners may be concerned about this behavior, but it poses no problems for the dog. People chew their food and try to teach their children to eat slowly because digestion for humans begins in the mouth.

Should older dogs eat soft food?

When it comes to dietary needs, every dog has individual needs, regardless of age. … As your dog gets older, his teeth may become more sensitive, which can make chewing kibble more difficult and even uncomfortable for him. Switching to a soft food will help to alleviate his oral discomfort when eating.

Can dogs eat bananas?

Are bananas safe for my dog to eat? Yes, bananas are a wonderful snack for your dog with many health benefits. Filled with essential vitamins and nutrients, they are tasty as well and most dogs love them!

When should I worry about my dog not eating?

If your dog is quiet, not themselves, or displaying any other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness or lethargy; or has not eaten at all for 2 days then you should seek veterinary attention.

How many days can dog go without eating?

How Long Can Dogs Go Without Food? Dogs can usually go three to five days without food, however, this is not ideal. If your dog has gone two days without food, it is highly recommended you call a veterinarian if you haven’t already. More important than your dog eating is their water intake.

Why does my dog not chew his kibble?

How do I get my dog to chew his kibble?