Eating Habits

Many dogs are ravenous due to factors from their puppyhood.  Puppies who were born later in the birth order, and thus had to scrounge against larger puppies, tend to grab food and then quickly gulp it down so they can return for more.  Some puppies have seemingly endless appetites because of poor breeding or a great deal of competition between other pups or animals.  Dogs who gobble their food may have had mama who was under stress during pregnancy or who had poor prenatal nutrition and care.  And other dogs just do not absorb the nutrients they need.  Nutrition can cause dogs to have behavioral issues relating to food.  If a dog is excessively hungry, this may lead to aggression and pica (add link to glossary).

There are many ways to deal with eating issues:

  • Purchase a high quality food that contains natural ingredients without artificial chemicals, preservatives, corn, wheat, soy, etc.
  • Some may still have nutritional issues. For example, a dog who chews on rocks is trying desperately to intake certain nutrients including iron, copper, or calcium
  • Purchase a top quality vitamin supplement such as NuVet Plus – these vitamins and minerals are broken down into molecular form to be easily absorbed into your dog’s body which can help satiate cravings
  • NuVet Plus is the top rated product of its kind and is made with human grade ingredients and pharmaceuticals in an FDA registered lab. You can use order code 40560 at www.NuVet.com
  • Avoid purchasing the maze shaped feeding bowls as dogs can actually harm themselves by slamming their noses and mouths
  • Dogs who use their tongues to slurp out food between these maze walls are actually ingesting huge volumes of air and potentially even aspirating some of the food and liquid
  • Raise your dog’s food and water dishes about half of the height of your dog’s front legs so there is less likelihood of the dog ingesting air or aspirating
  • Purchase a very wide and flat bowl and put a little bit of water or chicken broth into the bottom of the bowl. Then add a flat  and smooth river stone or rock.  Make sure it is too large for your dog to ingest.  Your dog will need to eat slowly as he pushes the stones out of the way