Food gobbler/eating fast

[TheresaSawtelle]

I have a 4 month old mix breed.  She was a rescue whose mom died from poisoning when she was about a month old.  We feed her 3 times a day, raw food diet (by recommendation).  She gobbles everything down.  We feed her separately from our older dogs so that there will not be any fighting over the food and by the time we've set the food down for the older dogs, she's done with her meal.  We are feeding the recommended amount and she's gaining weight, but she just eats so fast that I'm not sure what to do.  It's like she isn't getting enough food and we give her quite a bit.  Her stools are good, and no visible worms in them, so I don't believe it is that.  How can we slow her down? 

[JMFS]

I was trying to find a post where I linked a few different bowls.  Ah well, here's an Amazon search you can check out.  Chewy has some, too, but fewer options than Amazon:  https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=dog+slow+feed+bowl&ref=nb_sb_noss

Without knowing how big she is / will be, here's one that's very similar to what I had for Momo.  I liked how some of the food stuck in the "petal" so he had to work to get those last little bits.  He would eat potato skins in 3 chomps as a reference for his speed.  His bowl was a bit smaller (he at 1.5 cups each feeding):  https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B082KB7PC8/ref=twister_B08BFY7MCP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

There's also the Kong Wobbler and since you're already separating the dogs it could be worth a look:  https://www.chewy.com/kong-wobbler-dog-toy/dp/44195

Fair warning - it makes a lot of noise on hard floors.  I've had to show each dog how to use it and they've all caught on quickly.

If you have patience and time, this is another favorite around here:  https://www.chewy.com/ethical-pet-dura-brite-treat/dp/180973

It takes a while to load the kibble, but keeps them busy.  Sometimes I'll put a handful in there and the rest in the Wobbler just to change things up.

This one is the same as the toy above - takes a little effort and time to get the kibble in there, but another well-liked treat toy:  https://www.chewy.com/petstages-orka-tire-tough-dog-chew/dp/46935

And finally, our easiest toy.  Easy to fill, easy for the dogs to empty, but still slows them down and so far has stood up to extra chewing:  https://www.chewy.com/jolly-pets-monster-ball-dog-toy/dp/38809

I like this one as well, but Gertrude chewed the inside up.  I made the mistake of thinking she had the hang of these toys and had grown out of that break it phase, but nope.  She normally ignores the toys after the food is out so who knows what compelled her.  However, I'll give it another try some day because it was a good one.  https://www.chewy.com/planet-dog-orbee-tuff-mazee-puzzle/dp/38750

And then there's the good ol' placing piles of food around that she has to find.  I don't know what type of space you're working with, but I'll put the idea in the hat just in case you can make it work.

Oh, and if she won't destroy a snuffle mat that's another option.  Mine will tear it up if I'm not monitoring.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hi there!

Welcome to the forums!

Thank you for opening your heart and home to a rescue pup! So sad that the mom was poisoned. A great majority of food puzzles and slow bowls were crafted for dogs fed kibble. When feeding raw, a few extra criteria will need to be met such as ease of cleaning and being able to accomodate the food which is often soft and a sort of gruel-like mush mess. Being dishwasher safe is an extra plus.

I know of a vet who feeds her dogs raw and she uses what's called the "Green Interactive Feeder." It mimics blades of grass and the dog must work in order to get the food. It's made for dogs feed raw, canned or kibble. 

 

 

[TheresaSawtelle]

Yes, I looked into the 'maze' bowls, but had not seen the Green Interactive Feeder.  My concern with the maze bowls with raw is, of course, if she doesn't get all of her food, I then have raw food sitting there and we have a major ant problem this year.  I will look into the Green Interactive Feeder.  Thank you.

[JMFS]

Oh shoot, I was tired and missed the raw part.  The Jolly Pets Monster Ball would still work with that if you have a brush that would clean it, depending on how goopy the raw food is.  I know very little about raw diets so forgive my ignorance in attempting to help troubleshoot.  Some of the maze bowls are easier to clean than others.  The petal style I used would be pretty tough to clean and I only ever put kibble in it.  It was easy enough to spray clean with kibble.

I'll keep thinking.  Can't promise I'll come up with anything, but I'll try!

[FrederykBlot]

Hi,

little trick I saw somewhere, you can just add middle sized balls in the bowl just to slow her down

Also better with kibble but should work if the food is in small enough chunks 

[TheresaSawtelle]

Hmmmm, that is a thought.  Might try that.

[TheresaSawtelle]

Just to give a quick update.  I ordered a slow feeder dish, and finally got it right before we left for vacation.  So, we tried feeding her with it Saturday, when we got back.  She ate half the bowl. She is fine, everything went through her system, but yeah, the special dish didn't work for her.  So, will be trying the small ball trick next.

[JMFS]

Goodness!  Do you walk away after giving her meal?  The girls sometimes do that with new toys and I have to stay with them the first few times.  When they start destroying the toy I take it away by redirecting their attention (usually Another toy with food).  After a few episodes of that they may only need a refresher course occasionally.  Sometimes, especially if smeared with delicious food, they can't tell what's edible and what's not.  Dogs . . ..

Here's an idea: https://smile.amazon.com/Regulation-Size-Pool-Table-Billiard/dp/B0060BCOPW/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=cue+ball&qid=1630952438&sr=8-2

https://smile.amazon.com/KUNWU-SUS304-Stainless-Portion-Feeders/dp/B08RDTHV2G/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=dog%2Bslow%2Bfeeder%2Bball&qid=1630952505&sr=8-2&th=1

https://smile.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Portion-Stainless-Diameter/dp/B0028QHN3G/ref=pd_sbs_1/137-7611886-3650752?pd_rd_w=Qpjgr&pf_rd_p=8b76d7a7-ab83-4ddc-a92d-e3e33bfdbf03&pf_rd_r=KZ7R2MCHN5AEZMDDKZWQ&pd_rd_r=a4a71f7f-22f2-4b74-954a-b8f4e66eaf96&pd_rd_wg=5ehhv&pd_rd_i=B0028QHN3G&th=1

[TheresaSawtelle]

My kids usually feed her, so I imagine that they do.  I'm usually working or asleep. I need to change the feeding times so that I can take care of feeding her and make sure that she doesn't chew everything.  We feed her separately from the older dogs because they have special food for their health issues, but once they are done eating, she is back with them.  She started eating their bowls while we were on vacation.  Our pet sitter didn't notice. /sigh/

 

I will check out those options.  

[JMFS]

Got to love that extra training item added by others trying to help.  We have kind of the same thing with the husband taking Esther out when he wakes up so I can sleep.  He lets her come out of the crate then has her sit to put on the leash.  I have her sit in the crate, I attach the leash, then we go.  She's starting to catch on that we do things differently, but it sure did cause some confusion initially.

I feed ours separately to avoid fights so I get it.  I watched a video of a 3 or 4-yr old dumping food in the middle of 6 or 7 powerful dogs.  They all sat there and waited and I was cringing the entire time.  She did get knocked out of the way when she gave them the release, but otherwise it was quite impressive and she had their eye contact the entire time (also impressive, but scary).  Doesn't matter to me if it's 6 of my Gertrudes with no teeth there, I would Not feel comfortable putting a small child in the middle of it. 

[TheresaSawtelle]

I hear you there.  That would make me nervous as well.

Hoping to order that ball tonight.  Just need hubby's buy in (basically let him know I'm ordering it) so that he isn't completely confused when he opens the box.  lol

[Adrienne Farricelli]

On 9/6/2021 at 7:45 PM, TheresaSawtelle said:

Just to give a quick update.  I ordered a slow feeder dish, and finally got it right before we left for vacation.  So, we tried feeding her with it Saturday, when we got back.  She ate half the bowl. She is fine, everything went through her system, but yeah, the special dish didn't work for her.  So, will be trying the small ball trick next.

 My kids usually feed her, so I imagine that they do.  I'm usually working or asleep. I need to change the feeding times so that I can take care of feeding her and make sure that she doesn't chew everything.  We feed her separately from the older dogs because they have special food for their health issues, but once they are done eating, she is back with them.  She started eating their bowls while we were on vacation.  Our pet sitter didn't notice. /sigh/

Oh wow, glad to hear she is doing fine! That must have been scary. There are slow feeders made out of steel if she's prone to eating plastic stuff.  If she started even eating your other dog's plastic bowls, it may be best to switch them all to stainless steel bowls. 

[TheresaSawtelle]

Yes, I believe I will be doing that.

[TheresaSawtelle]

So, the Dog Hog stainless steel ball arrived yesterday.  Used it last night for her dinner and it helped slow her down a little.  It was kind of funny to see her get frustrated trying to lick the bowl and push that ball around her bowl.  She actually stopped, looked at us with a "How could you" look, then go back and roll that ball around more to get all her food.  Hoping this continues to work. 

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Good to hear it seems to be working! 

I am not familiar with this product honesty, as I have mostly used the steel bowls with a bump in the middle or three bumps around it to make eating more of a challenge. However, the concept seems the same. The only flaws I may see is if she learns to move it out of the way or dump the bowl on the floor and if she may eat parts of the bowl if you're still using a plastic bowl. 

I imagine her face! However, on the plus side she'll be slowing down, and getting a little mental workout too as she works on the challenge. 

 

[JMFS]

Every once in a while Mo would move the ball out of his bowl, but for the most part he was so focused on eating he simply moved it around.

[JMFS]

Also, just in case she does start taking the ball out.  Amazon recommended this to me a moment ago (it's awful - they encourage me to spend dollars!).  https://smile.amazon.com/NEATER-PET-BRANDS-Stainless-Steel/dp/B015G2DU80/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_pd_crcd_4/137-7611886-3650752?pd_rd_w=ORPDn&pf_rd_p=ecb2692f-0365-4eca-a102-58ef51a608ce&pf_rd_r=JX79F13M4JSG02RETW5W&pd_rd_r=a2a0dec4-212c-43a6-8c88-7755bf2b48b0&pd_rd_wg=xqrg3&pd_rd_i=B015G2DU80&psc=1