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How To Get Your Dog To Chew Food: 6 Most Effective Solutions!

Like many others, your dog might gulp his food without chewing them. Unfortunately, this is a common problem that every dog owner faces at least once.

Training your dog to chew food can be a big deal. However, it can become more manageable if you know what is making your dog refuse to chew. Notice their behavioral pattern and determine how to make your dog practice chewing.

In this article, we’ll cover the probable causes of why dogs don’t chew and strategies for how to get your dog to chew food. Also, by following the tips, you can work on your dog’s behavior.

how to get your dog to chew food
Image by Kirill from Pixabay

Why My Dog Won’t Chew Food and How to Get It Chew?

For dogs, many factors can have an impact on their eating behavior. For example, it is typical for dogs to eat quickly to secure their food from others. As a result, it can cause dogs to choke and gag.

You certainly don’t want these things to happen to your dog. But how to get your dog to chew food?

To get your dog to chew the food, you can use a slow feeder or chew toys to get your dog to chew food. If your dog has a pack mentality, you can choose different bowls. Maintain calm and peaceful surroundings while he eats. If required, you can also alternate your dog food. If none of these work, go to a veterinarian for assistance.

There isn’t only one cause behind your dog’s chewing behavior. You need to identify the exact reason. And there might be a simple approach to improving his eating habits.

Here are some ways to get your dog to chew its food, followed by reasons. 

Reason 1: The Pack Mentality

Dogs tend to swallow their food without chewing to safeguard it. This is because the food they get may be insufficient for them in proportion to others. Therefore, the faster they gulp their meal, the easier it is to survive in the wild.

As a result, they rush into their food without selecting it, consuming it as quickly as possible. This is commonly known as a dog’s pack mentality.

This way, they try to prevent unnecessary dogfights and can survive. But, unfortunately, this nature can grow in your dog even when they’re living with you impacting its eating habit.

It mostly happens if you have other dogs and they all have a similar meal time.

Solution: Choosing Different Bowls and Feeding Practices

You can do two things to change your dog’s pack mentality and improve its food habit. One is choosing different dog food bowls. And the second one is practicing food behaviors.

If you have multiple dogs in your house, use different bowls for each dog. Then, make sure to introduce them to their separate dog food bowls.  

You can call by their name to let them know their separate bowls when you call for meals. Also, you can fix a feeding spot for each dog. So they have adequate space to eat their food in peace.

This way, they’ll easily recognize their feeding place. In addition, they will learn that they have their quantity of food and will no longer hurry.

You must practice this habit with your dogs to change the pack mentality. Then, you can keep practicing them until they feel secure. That might take about 7-10 days of practice. For newly adopted dogs, this training may take up to a month.

But if you are patient enough, you can develop healthy food habits in your dog.

Reason 2: Genetics

Do you know that a dog’s genetics can also be a reason behind its eating habits? Unfortunately, I was also unaware of this for quite some time.

Later on, I discovered that it differs from breed to breed. Some dogs have pointed teeth to make chewing easier. Some dogs can have their throats expanded when swallowing a massive piece of food.

Most importantly, dogs are not prone to savoring their food. Instead, they just want to grab their food to fill their empty tummy. So, it can be why your dog gulps its food without chewing first.

Remember that your dog may not constantly chew his food at each meal. Dogs chew or swallow every ten meals, keeping a 7:3 ratio. So, don’t be alarmed if they don’t chew their food on occasion.’k

Solution: Using Chew Toys

When you first notice your dog is not chewing food regularly, give him a chew toy to practice with.

You can provide your dog with bones to practice chewing as well. You should also search for various toy options because dogs quickly become bored with their stuff.

Also, look for toys that will keep your dog chewing for an extended time.

get your dog to chew food
Image by Krystian Graba from Pixabay

Reason 3: Instinct

The instincts of dogs vary depending on where you adopted your dog. In terms of behavior and habit, adopting a stray dog differs from adopting a shelter dog.

This might be why your dog gulps 80% of its food rather than chewing it.

Wild dogs devour their food since it’s their only source of sustenance and survival. Their instincts tell them to save their food from other dogs.

So, crosscheck from where you have adopted your dog if your adopted dog was a rescue. 

Solution: Using A Slow Feeder

You can use a slow feeder bowl or puzzle bowl for your dog. Just put a small amount of food inside the bowl. Then, put 2-3 kibbles in the bowl at a time.

A slow feeder bowl is challenging to reach for a dog or puppy. When eating from the slow feeder bowl, your dog must put in some effort.

For example, if you have a labrador puppy, you can scatter some large kibbles. But larger kibbles are more challenging to gulp than small ones. So, it will make your dog chew its food.

You can also put kibbles on the floor or here and there in the room. It will also help them to slow down their eating habits and learn to chew food.

Reason 4: Environment

It’s normal for dogs to get afraid when they see crowds or other dogs. However, the environment around your dog’s feeding area also matters. Your dog might also get affected by its surroundings.

First, check whether you are feeding them in such a situation. 

If this is the case, your dog is likely rushing when eating as it takes time to chew in this kind of atmosphere.

 

Solution: Putting Under A Controlled Environment

You should assure them that their meal is entirely theirs, which will help them to relax.

Due to the controlled environment, they would be safe to eat peacefully. A dog cone will make things easier if you don’t have rooms. You can buy them on Amazon. Or you can make a dog cone DIY.

Making a dog cone is easy. Choose any towel that fits your dog’s size. Wrap it around his neck, and let it secure with duct tape.

Reason 5: Pets may Dislike The Meal

If none of the above applies to your dog, the issue is with the dog food. First, try to notice and check whether your dog is enjoying its food.

Dogs may be interested in something other than savoring their food. But they like to and enjoy eating tasty meals. So, if they’re just gulping down, there is a chance they do not like their meals.

 So, your dog fills up their tummies and doesn’t like to chew his food.

Solution: Change The Dog Food

You can add something nutritious and tasty to your dog’s meal to solve the issue. You can try some high-quality brands that offer delicious foods for dogs.

Mixing them into your dog’s meals can also add some additional flavors.

Or, you can change the food occasionally. This way, you can prevent the boredom of your dog eating the same food every day. 

Reason 6: Dental Issue

Dogs not chewing their food can be the reason for dental issues. If your dog suddenly stops chewing food, the problem might be in his teeth. Check if somehow you are ignoring your dog’s dental health.

Dental issues may develop in the rear of the dog’s mouth or between the gums. It can also make chewing difficult for your dog, causing them to gulp its food.

Notice if your dog has excessive saliva, bad breath, or drowsiness. Delaying on necessary care simply serves to aggravate the injury.

Solution: Visit A Vet

Take your dog to a good vet or animal hospital for a diagnosis. The situation might worsen if you delay doing a routine checkup and giving meds to your dog.

During recovery, you can give your dog wet foods to help him chew his food and digest it easily.

These are the most likely causes of your dog’s inability to chew his food. I am optimistic you can determine your dog’s actual problem and the remedy to the ones described above.

how to make your puppy to chew his food
Source: Pixabay

Tips To Ensure Your Dog’s Proper Eating Behavior

Remember, your dogs’ eating habits don’t grow in one day. So you need to keep following and observing their eating habits.

Some simple tips will help you determine whether your dog has good feeding habits.

  • Always prepare a proper feeding plan for your dog. Don’t let them stay hungry for an extended period, or don’t compromise with the right proportion.
  • When feeding your dog, stick to a consistent feeding schedule.
  • Avoid feeding from your dining table.
  • Besides tasty food, choose nutritious foods for dogs.
  • Always train your dog’s eating habits and take them for exercise.

FAQs

Do dogs thoroughly chew their food?

No, they chew almost 80% of their food. It’s scarce for a dog to chew his food thoroughly. For a dog to digest, there are no specific rules to chewing their whole food. So they don’t need to chew their entire meals for easy digestion.

What should I do if my dog eats too fast?

Use a slow feeder or puzzle feeder. To change their eating habit, you can spread them across your room or on the floor. This way, they will get some time before eating another kibble. In the meantime, they will chew and, after that, gulp the food.

Why does my puppy swallow his food whole?

Your puppy swallowing his meal whole might be due to biological reasons if your dog’s throat is meant to stretch when they consume a whole piece of food. It is thus advisable to practice eating slowly by providing him with a chew toy. In addition, this will help your puppy grow the habit of chewing.

Final Words

Taking care of a dog is not simple as it looks. However, over time, you will begin to detect your dog’s symptoms before he develops habits.

Go easy with taking care of your dog. I hope you will discover how to get your dog to chew food.

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