There are several dog breeds and dog types that love food more than life itself, we all know of this dog. But for those dog owners who have to go through the daily struggle of getting their dog to eat, there is a solution.
Dog feeding can be made easier by using some simple strategies that most dog owners fail to realize or just don’t want to spend time learning about. We’re going to cover some top tips on how you can feed your dog correctly, from picking up his meals tab to slowing him down when he’s eating too fast.
Feed your dogs separately
Some dogs can be greedy and If you have more than one dog it is important you make sure both have the right amount of food. The dog that gets left out could end up stealing food from the other dog and become overweight.
Separating your dogs at mealtime will prevent this from happening and will also ensure each dog has the right portion size.
Here are a few tips on how to achieve this:
- Feed them in their dog crate or dog kennel.
- Make sure they are eating for at least 20 minutes so you can be sure that all dog has eaten their food, if one dog ends the meal faster than the other, divide the amount of food to feed each dog until it eats his own dinner’s portion.
- Use your hands or a weight-measuring tool to measure/count how much you give them and then feed them with a regular spoon or dog bowl.
Measure your dog's food
When you measure your dog’s food, you control how much he eats and it stops him from eating too much in one sitting. This is a good way to both keep your dog slim and healthy but also prolongs the time between meals for longer-lasting energy.
Not all dogs are equal, some move more than others, some have a more anxious personality, and some like food more than others. There are certain things you should consider when choosing your dog’s food and the amount you give them on a daily basis:
- How much does my dog weigh?
- Am I feeding my dog enough or not, does he look hungry after their portion or is he leaving food in his bowl?
- What is the dog’s lifestyle, how much he/she exercises daily?
- Does your dog eat dog food or homemade food.
Slow down your Dog's eating
When you are feeding your dog, it is very important to make sure that they are slow in eating their dinner, this will help prevent bloating and indigestion. You can slow up your dog’s meal by following these tips:
Don't let your dog eat too quickly, use premium dog bowls
This is very bad for their digestion, if they eat too quick there is more chance that they may vomit up their meal or develop indigestion later on that night. Plus, dog food generally isn’t all that tasty (compared with human food) which means even if they try to gobble it down quick they won’t really enjoy the experience.
So one-way dog owners can slow up their dog is by putting their dog on a premium dog bowl, these dog bowls are made out of stainless steel or rubber and have ridges inside them which makes it harder for the dog to gulp its meal down in seconds.
Be mindful of treats
especially small-sized treats like Milk Bones, these are extremely unhealthy for your dog because not only do they encourage gulping but also most dog owners feed too many of them at once so your dog is getting way over its daily calorie intake.
Use slow feeding bowls or lick mats
Use slow feeder bowls or lick-mats to slow your dog’s feeding behaviour. Slow feeders maintain your dog entertained at the same time as busy for a longer while, which will contribute to your dog being satisfied with the dog meal. Plus, they are very easy to clean, which makes them an ideal dog bowl!
If your dog eats too quickly, his feeding behaviour can cause bloating in your dog. Bloating can be serious if it’s left untreated because when this happens in dogs, there is not enough time for gasses to escape the stomach of the dog, which often leads to dangerous health implications. Using slow feeder bowls or lick-mats is a great way for you to prevent bloating in your dog.
Measure your dog's food
When you measure your dog’s food, you control how much he eats and it stops him from eating too much in one sitting. This is a good way to both keep your dog slim and healthy but also prolongs the time between meals for longer-lasting energy.
Not all dogs are equal, some move more than others, some have a more anxious personality, and some like food more than others. There are certain things you should consider when choosing your dog’s food and the amount you give them on a daily basis:
- How much does my dog weigh?
- Am I feeding my dog enough or not, does he look hungry after their portion or is he leaving food in his bowl?
- What is the dog’s lifestyle, how much he/she exercises daily?
- Does your dog eat dog food or homemade food.
Use Higher Dog Bowl Feeders
You need feeding dog bowls that are sturdy and won’t tip over when your dog bumps into it or grabs at the food. The dog should be able to eat without you having to stand by, watching them to make sure they don’t go too fast.
It will also help relieve the strain on your dog’s neck if they are eating from a raised dog bowl because their head will not be down for as long while eating.
