Comment

Comment by Sandy Stickney on September 6, 2011 at 1:57pm

We made our own slow feed bowls by flipping their bowls over (as suggested by Atlas & Trinity).  They also get fed in their crates so as not to feel pressure from our 2 older dogs.  Food is put in their bowls and they have to wait calmly before being released to eat. 

Comment by Jody Freeland on September 6, 2011 at 9:54am

Hey Norm!!  You should have your parents hand feed your meals.  I bet you would love it!  My Mom hand feeds me and all the other 4 fur dogs in our house.  My Mom always eats a snack first, cause leaders eat first, then she feeds us a handful after we perform a sit or down.  I love to perform for food!!  Spinning is my favorite trick. How about you??  She also feeds in order of the pack, so if you have brothers or sisters it is important to do this.  I'm not very high in status, but I'm very comfortable there.  Sometimes I get excited and I'm a little hard on her hand.  I always lose my meal and that makes me sad.  When I'm gentle, Mom always praises me and that helps remind me to not be hard on her hand. I haven't lost a meal in a long time!   Sincerely yours, Fender Feedback

Comment by Atlas & Trinity on September 5, 2011 at 11:38pm

Dogs only chew like 20% of their food. So this isn't uncommon Its called Scarf and Barf in the training world.

A few ways to slow a dog down from eating to fast.

• Puzzle toys like a kong, tricky treat ball, or any toy that causes kibble to come out in smaller amounts
•  a stainless steel dish that NOT flat on the bottom but looks like this. Its cheaper then buying a bowl that has nubs in it. If your dog flips the dish while trying to eat hot glue a rock to the bowl on the other side
• Buy a really large dish like 6+ cup it should spread the kibble out enough to slow them down

Comment by Beth on September 5, 2011 at 10:31pm

Keep in mind that dogs don't really chew food the way people do.  They have a very different digestive system and area "gulpers" rather than chewers.   Still, eating too fast isn't good.

 

I do add water to my kibble, right before I put the bowl down.  Floating kibble means they tend to lap the water to the level that they can eat, then eat some and lap some more.

 

For my own dogs, I have also found that adding stuff in slows them down.  I add plain yogurt, cottage cheese, green beans, pumpkin, canned salmon, or sardines.   When there is something new in the bowl, they tend to fish around to try to get that out first, which means eating some kibble then fishing for the good stuff then eating some more kibble.

That said, mine get a half cup twice a day and meal time lasts maybe 30 seconds to a minute or so, tops.

Comment by Jane on September 5, 2011 at 10:25pm

We use a slow feed bowl with Luke and wet his food as well. It slows him down...slightly.

Comment by Jane Christensen on September 5, 2011 at 10:14pm

I also thought of wetting down his food...but thought maybe that was strange but I did that when Bella was having tummy problems! I'm always glad when people are happy with their "new" additions and to find people like you Deb that welcome dogs with unknown pasts in their home:)  "Thank-you!"

Comment by Deb , Gretzky, and Norman on September 5, 2011 at 9:44pm

Yes, I did think of that. Who knows what his past eating arrangements were?!?! poor baby.

I think the culprit was the raw hide but we are feeding him in small sessions.  We have heard to feed him out of an angel food cake pan, put a ball in the dish so he has to eat around it., put some water into his food, and I may try all of it. He is such a sweet boy.  We love him so much.  Thanks Jane. I always appreciate your Corgi knowledge and comments.

Comment by Katy on September 5, 2011 at 9:43pm

There's something called a portion feeder or ball...something like that...but I just put a regular ball right into the middle of Sam's bowl so she has to eat around it. It slows her down a little. The ball can't be too big or too small though or it defeats the purpose. If the dish is small enough you can use a tennis ball. I use a large Kong ball that we had lying around. Hope this helps!

Comment by Jane Christensen on September 5, 2011 at 8:37pm

Maybe feed 1/3 at a time??? Otherwise there are special bowls that work...do you think  he never knew when he was going to get fed next before you got him? The rawhide could also be making him sick....feel better soon Norm:)