Making a dog eat slower - how???

elsien

I appreciate the suggestions, and this is probably going to make me sound like a terrible owner, but all this scattering food around and hiding it sounds quite time consuming. I'm more the "feed her quick so I can get out to work/cook tea" type. If I have to be at work for 7.30 am, I don't want to be messing around any more than I have to - really not a morning person. (Although obviously clearing up sick adds on a few minutes to the morning routine.) I like the look of the tugajug, but am not convinced it's going to be sturdy enough - mines got a fair pair of jaws on her and even the black kongs don't go the distance.
Thanks for the ideas though.

Raksha

Tug a jugs are made from something close to bullet proof plastic - honestly, they really are tough. Scatter feeding doesn't have to be time consuming - just put the food in a cup and throw it round the garden!

trudij

Lickit used to do a feed ball that was a large size - will have a look for a link. Mine has a space for a lick too - but my late spaniel didnt take long to work out that she could get the lick out and just eat it :rolleyes:


found it !!!

http://www.likit.co.uk/products/canine/k9_snakaball

Errata

If the upchucking has only been happening recently, perhaps a trip to the vets might be needed? And if it's a new thing, it won't be particularly pleasant for her either.
I know you're pushed for time, but have you thought about finger feeding for a bit? Might stop the upchucks and get the dog into the habit of not upchucking. HTH

DaveMacD

I think some dogs are just strange that way.

Some people suggest putting the bowl down for a few minutes, and then taking it away if they don't eat it all. I prefer to let them eat when they are hungry, and don't have much of a problem. I've currently got 3 dogs, one of whom is a bit porky. But they only eat the food put in their own bowls. I think the one who is bigger picked up bad habits from one of our old dogs (no longer with us) and also from a bad experience with her previous owner, so she tends to eat her food all at once. However, the other two don't bother too much, and can have food in the bowl for most of the day. The only time I've seen a dog wolf stuff down and make themselves sick was with both my friend's old dog, and my ancient old mongrel, who both had a problem with wolfing sausages and then bringing them back up.

If you can split the feed up into small blocks for a while, it might help (half a cup in the morn, then another a few hours later). but the scattering food about seems like it might work too.

Good luck.

UKTigerlily

Kongs don't take any time at all & can be given to the Dog while you're getting ready! Takes Chaya about 5 minutes instead of 5 seconds

elsien

Thanks folks. My garden isn't dog proof so it needs to be something I can use indoors. Anything ball shaped is out as she goes into bulldozer mode with no thought to what's in the way - found that out the hard way when the TV took a nose dive.
Doesn't the dry food just roll straight back out of the kong as soon as you put it down? Might give that a go tonight and see what happens before I buy anything new.
Errata- we've got the post-op check next week so I'll see what the vet says then, but I really do think it's just her eating way too fast. Without wanting to put anyone off their lunch, as soon as it reappears she's trying to eat it again so she's obviously feeling ok. Self cleaning dog, what more could I ask for!

Kimberley

Well what about putting the dry food around the room for her to find to let her work for her food? You can do this very easily with dry food. It will keep her occupied as well. The kong toy suggestion is also a good one. Either that or feed her it at a handful a time.

Kimberley

elsien wrote: »

I appreciate the suggestions, and this is probably going to make me sound like a terrible owner, but all this scattering food around and hiding it sounds quite time consuming. I'm more the "feed her quick so I can get out to work/cook tea" type. If I have to be at work for 7.30 am, I don't want to be messing around any more than I have to - really not a morning person. (Although obviously clearing up sick adds on a few minutes to the morning routine.) I like the look of the tugajug, but am not convinced it's going to be sturdy enough - mines got a fair pair of jaws on her and even the black kongs don't go the distance.
Thanks for the ideas though.

If you want a solution then you have to really work hard at getting up say 10 mins earlier then normal to scatter the food around the room or house. You mention it is time consuming but do you want to stop her sicking her dinner up or not?

My pup at first gulped his food down but now I scatter his food around every morning and it keeps him busy until I go to work. I hide it under things, behind things, sitting on top of things etc

Spirit_2

My daughter has a pony on loan that given the chance bolts its food. The solution is to have an extra large feed skip and put a brick in it. Pony has to eat 'around' the brick.

It is a similar principal to the 'brake' bowls pictured earlier. Might this work for you as its still quick and the brick will not contaminate the kibble and unlikely to be chewed by your dog. Just a thought.