How To Get Your Dog To Chew Their Food

Is it bad if my dog doesn’t chew his food? The eating habits of dogs are slightly different than those of their human friends, but healthy digestion is just as important. Here’s how to get your dog to slow down and chew properly.

Why Doesn’t My Dog Chew His Food?

Believe it or not, dogs don’t actually need to chew food as much as humans. Their teeth are designed much more for cutting and tearing food than for chewing and grinding it. That’s why dogs have more sharp teeth for shearing and only a few molars, while humans have more flat teeth for grinding food.

That being said, some dog owners may still find their furry friend wolfing down their dog food too quickly at mealtimes.

Is It Bad If My Dog Doesn’t Chew His Food?

Eating fast is normal for dogs, but eating too fast may cause health problems for your pup. While dogs don’t need to chew their food as much as humans, it’s still important that they chew enough to maintain a healthy digestive system. So, your dog needs to slow down at least a little.

GDV and the Risks Of Dogs Eating Too Fast

Eating too fast and not chewing their food properly may cause health issues for dogs, the most dangerous of which is bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This is a severe form of bloating, which is when your dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and begins to twist itself.

The twisting traps the material in your dog’s stomach and blocks its entrance and exit. This can cut off blood supply to the stomach or spleen and make normal functions like breathing difficult.

Other Risks

Choking — Eating too quickly can mean your dog’s food isn’t being chewed. This can pose a risk of choking if the swallowed food bits aren’t small enough.

Bloat — When your dog eats too quickly their intestines can expand and become extremely uncomfortable for your dog.

Upset Stomach & Vomiting — Gobbling their food down too quickly can cause your dog to vomit because their stomach is expanding too fast. When the stomach can’t produce enough acid to break down food, it wants to get rid of it as fast as possible.

Bad Breath & Dental Issues — Eating too fast and not chewing food fully may cause bits of dog food to stick in your dog’s mouth and between their teeth. Not only could the old food cause bad breath after not too long, but it may also cause dental issues like cavities or infections.

Why Is My Dog Eating So Fast?

It’s normal for dogs to eat faster than humans, but there are a few reasons why dogs eat faster than they should.

Instinct & Evolution

Leftover from your dog’s ancient ancestors, some dogs eat fast simply because they’re wired to. This is called instinctual gulping — an innate drive your dog has to gulp their food whole.

Before humans domesticated dogs and those dogs could count on a tasty meal served in a dish by their owner every night, food was a precious (and sometimes scarce) resource! Canines of the past didn’t have the luxury of eating slowly. Especially when there might have been competition for food and no way to know when the next meal would be.

Stress & Anxiety

Some dogs may swallow their food whole or eat without chewing properly due to stress or anxiety. They might worry that their food will vanish or that another pet will eat their food.

You can help reduce food anxiety for your dog by establishing a predictable feeding routine. You can also feed them less food more frequently, and feed them separately from people or other pets.

Oral Pain & Dental Problems

Another reason dogs may not be chewing food properly is pain in their mouth. Infections or injuries to your dog’s teeth can be extremely painful. They pain may cause them to chew less and swallow more food whole, potentially putting them at risk. Pet parents should take their dog to the vet for a checkup if they suspect dental issues.

How To Make Your Dog Eat Slower

Encouraging slower eating and thorough chewing may help prevent digestive issues and teach your dog to savor their meals.

Give Your Dog Food Worth Savoring

Commercial kibble and dry food can be like junk food for dogs. A boring meal might as well be over quickly, but serving your furry friend the best fresh dog food made with high-quality ingredients may be the key to them enjoying mealtime. Meals composed of USDA-grade whole ingredients and are proven to be more digestible.

Try Wet Food Or Wetting Dry Food

Dry dog food may be more difficult to chew and digest, especially for older dogs or dogs with soft mouths. You can try switching to wet or fresh dog food or add a little water to soften dry food. Larger kibble and larger pieces of food can be easier for dogs to eat when soaked in warm water. Add a delicious and healthy food topper and your dog has a delicious, nutritious, and easily digestible meal!

Ditch the Traditional Dog Bowl

Try an alternative to your standard dog food bowl by spreading your dog’s food out across a lick mat. Or use a muffin tin to spread their food into different sections. The work of moving around (even slightly) will slow their eating.

Try a Slow Feeder Bowl

Slow feeder bowls are a great way to slow your dog’s eating down. They purposefully challenge your dog and make them eat more deliberately. Some slow feeder bowls are puzzle toys and provide your dog with mental stimulation as well.

Reduce The Amount of Food You Give Your Dog

Giving your dog a smaller amount of food at a time may also help them slow down eating. When there’s less food in front of them it can be harder to gobble down bites that are too big. Smaller amounts spread throughout the day may encourage them to savor their food more slowly.

This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.