Gluttonous Dogs: Anxiety About Eating

Dogs are food-loving pets, but there are times when food becomes too much of a target for gluttonous dogs, who would always be eating.

If you adopt a dog who can’t wait to get food on his plate, who devours it in seconds when you serve it and who always wants to eat, you probably have a greedy dog ​​at home.

Why are There Gluttonous Dogs?

Before saying that a dog is gluttonous, it is important to know that excessive hunger can have a reason. Many dogs are gluttons because they like to eat, but others can be due to illness, or medication, among other factors that alter their appetite.

Some Reasons Are:

Many dogs can’t wait for food to be on their plate before choking. These dogs think someone else can come and take it from them. In these cases, the dog is defending its territory.

If this is the cause of his voracious appetite, it is important that the dog gradually understands that no one is going to take his food away.

For this, it is recommended to stroke it and talk to it softly when putting down the plate. Over the days, if the adopter repeats the appropriate stimulus, little by little, his anxiety or fear will decrease until he can eat calmly and without rushing.

On the other hand, meal times can be very stressful if the dog lives with one or more other dogs. To defend their food, they have very anxious behavior, so they eat without any control, taking care of their plate.

Given this scenario, it is best to serve the food in well-separated areas, this way, each dog will feel in control of his plate, and he will not have the anxiety that another will steal it from him.

• Illnesses and medications:

Certain illnesses, such as diabetes, can make the dog much more eager to eat. The same thing happens with certain medications, which can increase the dog’s appetite.

Many adopters spoil their pets so much that they feed them at different times of the day without any controls or routines. When the adopter does this, it will only cause anxiety in the dog, who does not know exactly when he will receive his food.

Moreover, in this way, he is taught that he will always have food.

For them, the adopter must establish a food routine, and a schedule, with the right amount that the dog should and must eat. Another important point is to avoid giving them after hours.

When a dog is stressed or bored, one option to “feel better” is to eat excessively and uncontrollably. To avoid this behavior in the dog, the adopter needs to have a daily walking routine, get physical activity, and socialize with other dogs and people.

The adopter must teach his animal to eat better, be happier and calmer. To do this, you can follow the recommendations below. The adopter needs to know how much food their dog can eat daily and divide it into meals per day.

At least two hits.

However, when the dog is hungry for food, it can be divided into three. This way, the dog will be calmer knowing, after establishing the routine, when he will eat and always have a bowl of food. Thus, anxiety about eating should gradually disappear.

An interesting trick that the adopter can put in place if his dog is very greedy is to use several feeders and place them in different places in the house. The dog, to eat, will have to move and, over time, will lose interest in moving and eat more slowly.

• Putting a barrier in your food:

If the dog usually eats food, it is recommended to mix it with apples, for example. This will encourage the dog to pay more attention to the plate and what he eats; therefore, he will eat slowly.

Another interesting option is to place an inedible object as big as a tennis ball, which makes it difficult for the dog to devour the food because there is no access to it as quickly because of the object.

• Special feeders for greedy dogs:

They are feeders with obstacles that will make it difficult for the dog to eat faster. These feeders allow the dog to eat more slowly and chew food better; and, therefore, aid your digestion.

These special feeders have barriers that prevent the dog from accessing the food as he normally would in his common feeder. There are many interactive dog toys on the market that are food dispensers.

Food pellets are placed on these toys and fall out as the dog moves them. This tool can be very useful in slowing down the rate at which the dog eats food. In addition, they are excellent stimulators of the dog’s sense of smell and mind.

The most famous is the kong. There are fewer hygienic methods, but they are undoubtedly simpler. For example, placing food on the ground. Distributing it on the ground, the dog will have to move and search.

Gluttonous Dog: Practical Tips to Prevent

• The dog must get exercise every day, and this will relieve his anxiety and keep him with a balanced behavior.
• Meal times should always be the same. The routine, in this sense, will be essential for the dog to eat serenely. When the dog knows he can eat at any time without control, he will always be alert and eagerly waiting. Having the schedule will calm you down when you get your plate of food.
• It is recommended that the dog not eat if he is very anxious or stressed. In these moments, it is better to avoid feeding it so as not to reinforce this behavior. It should also not be fed 30 minutes before or after exercise.

Note: The moment when the dog feeds must be pleasant.

As an adopter, it is up to you to offer the best to your dog, either by correcting his habits or by helping him not to generate anxiety. It can help avoid serious health problems and prevent your relationship with food from being tortured.

Consequences of Eating Too Fast

When a dog eats a lot without any control, it is undoubtedly something serious for his health. When you eat very quickly, the food is not chewed properly, there is more air intake, and all this can cause certain ailments, such as:

• Torsion of the stomach.
• Regurgitation.
• Vomiting.
• Gases.
• Choking.
• Malabsorption, among other digestive system problems.

Gluttonous Dog ​​Breeds

The dogs that belong to this breed are strongly built and are characterized by their extreme gluttony. For this reason, it is important to dose the amount of food provided correctly.

They are very playful, friendly, and affectionate dogs, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to their charms and feed them whenever they want. 

Beagles are very intelligent and affectionate, but they can easily sneak through the trash can and eat anything they find. They are dogs that love to eat and never feel full.

Goldens are charismatic, docile dogs, but they’ll do anything to chew on a treat. It is important and recommended not to overfeed them and choose healthy treats to reward them.

• Mountain Dogs or Pyrenean Dogs:

The Dogue des Pyrénées is a dog that likes to watch herds in the mountains. When he is not doing any work, he only limits himself to watch, which is why he may have problems with being overweight.

Also known as dachshunds, these dogs make great companions and gamers. Although they are a small breed, that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be exercised. Planning regular walks and more moderate exercise is important to stay fit and lean.

The ancestors of this breed were shepherd dogs that accompanied the herds. Therefore, when they had nothing to do, they just stayed home, leading to being overweight.

Rottweilers need consistent exercise routines and a controlled, balanced diet. This breed loves food. In this sense, it is important to feed them well, with the right quantities; in case of giving them prizes, they must be in good health.

In ancient times, dogs of this breed were the companions of the Vikings. They were responsible for tracking large animals, such as bears and elks. They are dogs of great resistance and have the ability to run on rocky terrain.

Because they do not perform these functions today, it is important to regulate the amount of food they eat and exercise. Pugs are small dogs, but they also need to be physically active. Indeed, dogs of this breed have a stocky build and tend to gain weight.

This breed is one of the friendliest pets there is. They are very friendly and welcoming. Additionally, the Welsh Corgi is a great competitor and responds well to training.

They love to eat, be rewarded for their efforts, and work with treats. This is why we must regulate what we consume and avoid being overweight.

Diseases and Medications that Affect a Dog’s Appetite

Perhaps you have often noticed that your dog is fed and does not seem full. However, the most common mistake is automatically associating this behavior with the fact that the dog has become gluttonous and needs to be fed more often.

This is a serious mistake of many adopters, but very common and frequent in families. Before labeling a dog gluttonous, it is important to examine and rule out certain causes and possibilities that may justify the dog eating faster and having a more voracious appetite.

There are diseases like canine diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome that affect appetite. Also, certain medications contain corticosteroids, hormones or seizures, which can cause polyphagia.

This means that there is an increase in the dog’s appetite. When all the causes have been ruled out, and the dog is still eating a lot, it can become a temporary situation due to a moment of stress.

Another possible cause could be a situation that has been going on for a long time or is due to something in your race.

Conclusion

Once the adopter knows that he lives with a gluttonous dog and that the possible pathologies that could alter his state of health are ruled out, it is just as important to know why the dog has this behavior.

If the dog is eating because he is feeling anxious, it is important to observe him and see if he is eating desperately or just eating and waiting for more food.

Sometimes this behavior is caused by the irresponsibility of the adopters, as they feed it between meals. Therefore, it is extremely important that the dog has meal routines and that they are followed correctly.

Otherwise, the dog may eat everything around it.

It is important to consider that this may not be due to stress, but to a situation, you have become accustomed to. If a health problem has been found, it is important to consult a veterinarian quickly to obtain a correct diagnosis.

This will be essential to know if it is a disease or another situation that the veterinarian needs to determine in gluttonous dogs.