Treatments for Overeating in Dogs

Dogs that overeat have an increased risk of vomiting, obesity and a potentially fatal condition known as bloat, which occurs when a dog's stomach lining turns inside-out after eating too quickly. Overeating occurs several different ways, from too many treats throughout the day to excessive meal portions. Solving your dog's overeating problem requires a balance of food-based strategies and healthy lifestyle changes.

  1. Spreading His Food

    • Overenthusiastic eaters will inhale any amount of food you pour inside a dog bowl or dish. Reducing the speed of the dog's eating requires making his food less accessible by spacing it further apart. One inexpensive way to do this is by serving your dog's food spread out on a cookie pan. Adding a bit of water helps your dog digest dry food. It takes longer for your dog to capture and eat food that's spread out over a pan than when it's densely packed inside a bowl.

    Tennis Balls

    • Placing a tennis ball or multiple balls, inside your dog's food bowl reduces his rate of eating by forcing him to push and maneuver the ball or balls around the bowl to reach the food. This tactic works best with a flat-bottom bowl with sides that can keep the tennis balls from spilling onto the floor. Arrange one, two or three tennis balls inside the feeding dish. The balls rotate between the food and make it impossible for the dog to gorge.

    Guilt-Free Treats

    • Giving a dog treats is an effective and common way to teach a dog new tricks and reinforce positive behaviors, such as relieving himself outside. Dog treats range from the equivalent of a miniature candy bar to a few veggie sticks. If you're treating your dog regularly, make sure he's eating low-calorie treats. A few healthy human-food treats include a single piece of popcorn and a small floret of broccoli. Another alternative is feeding him long-lasting treats such as a frozen tablespoon of plain yogurt or low-fat cream cheese inside a hollowed rubber toy.

    Change His Food

    • Not all dog food is equally nutritious. Feeding your dog high-calorie, high-fat, low-nutrient food drives his craving while leaving him overfed and undernourished. The first three ingredients of any nutritious dog food should include some type of meat -- not corn, wheat or meat byproduct. Increasing the amount of protein and reducing the quantity of filler foods such as grain and byproducts in your dog's diet helps him feel full for a longer period. Although many grain-free and high-quality dog foods are more expensive, they're also more nutrient-dense. The higher nutrient density significantly reduces the serving size; read the packaging and consult your veterinarian to determine the proper amount to feed your dog.