Odd eating habits some dogs have
Just like kids, dogs can have pretty strange eating habits. When they first come in to your family you start off with trial and error, slowly getting to know their personality and needs. You start recognizing their quirks, their 'pet peeves' and their favourites. But their eating habits may change, which means you have to figure it all out again. Our Mad Paws Team has composed a short list for you with some odd eating habits. This should save you some time, next time your furry friend decides to ditch his table manners.
PS Is your dog fussy or fast? Make sure to tell your Mad Paws pet sitter so they can look after your dog just the way you do!
1. The typical fussy eater
At early stages or towards the matured phase of your dog’s life, you may notice that they might start neglecting or refusing to eat their daily food. You can start introducing a wider array of food such as fruits including apples and nectarines, to keep a balanced and interesting diet. Also, you can try feed new foods from your hand and slowly they will voluntarily start eating their food from their bowl. You will only need patience and time for this to occur.
Find more tips and tricks on the Vet West website.
2. The fast eater
Some dogs chow down their food at a relatively fast pace. This could potentially lead to many problems in regards to physical distortions and behaviour disorders. They might choke or gag on their food, as they are chewing their food less often and swallow big chunks of it. This type of eating can also indicate greedy behaviour, leading to aggressive behaviour in the long term. It often occurs when a person or another animal comes close to their food when eating. To counteract this problem, you might have to portion smaller meals throughout the day or placing a smaller bowl inside a larger bowl and pour the food around the space between the small and large bowl. This way, the dog will have less space to take their food from, allowing them to take their time.
Source: petMD
3. The bloating belly
Did you know water could be harmful in some cases? Water is a great source of nutrients and best way to hydrate a dog when in need, but it must be taken in moderation. Especially after strenuous walks or exercises. Excess of water may lead to stomach bloat or electrolyte imbalances, possibly threatening your pets' internal system. To avoid these issues, after a walk or exercise, ration out how much water your paw friend is drinking to ensure that there is no excess consumption. Here's a usefull website to calculate how much water a dog should drink.