Tips on Bad Dog Eating Habits

When a dog develops bad eating habits, it's a negative sign for the overall welfare of the dog. Whether he bolts his food without chewing or eats everything in sight, such habits can lead to health and digestive problems over a period of time. At the very least, they can lead to flatulence. Deter your dog from bad eating habits by feeding him a consistent, well-balanced diet.

  1. A Well-Balanced Diet

    • To avoid bad eating habits, give your dog a healthy, well-balanced diet. A dog shouldn't have to look beyond his own bowl to find all the nutrients he needs. The National Academy of Sciences suggests that owners avoid feeding their dog foods with wheat or barley, as they are difficult to digest. Look for food with a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids and vitamins and minerals.

    Feed Consistently

    • Feed your dog consistently at certain times of day. Some dogs do well on a morning and evening schedule, while other dogs do better eating several meals throughout the day. Figure out how much your dog needs to eat (which is usually written on the package) and give the dog the same amount for each meal. Set up a consistent feeding schedule and your dog will be less anxious about food.

    Limit Human Food

    • Never feed your dog food from your table. Most human food has too much sugar and fat for dogs to digest properly. Even if the food is healthy, feeding your dog human food can disrupt his eating schedule and make him neglect his own food because he think he deserves to eat what the alpha dog (you) is eating. Make sure everyone in the family knows this rule.

    Elevate the Bowl

    • If your dog likes to eat so fast that he nearly chokes on his food, combat this bad habit by elevating its bowl. Elevated feeders are easy to find at pet stores and easy to put in your house. A dog with an elevated bowl is forced to eat at a more regular pace, and he will digest his food better.