Do Dogs Chew Their Food and What It Says About Their Health

Dogs do chew their food, but it's not always a cause for concern. Some dogs will gobble down their kibble in seconds, while others will take their time, savoring each bite.

In a study of 100 dogs, 70% were found to be normal chewers, while 30% were considered to be slow or non-chewers. This variation in eating habits can be influenced by factors such as breed, age, and individual temperament.

Dogs who eat quickly may be at risk of choking or digestive issues, but many dogs are able to eat quickly without problems. Some owners even report that their dogs prefer to eat quickly, as it allows them to get on with their day.

A dog's chewing behavior can also be influenced by their environment and feeding style. For example, dogs fed in a quiet, distraction-free area may be more likely to chew their food than those fed in a noisy or busy area.

Additional reading: Dogs Chew

Dogs chew their food because their teeth are designed for shearing, not grinding.

Their 36 shearing teeth are perfect for tearing flesh and crushing bones.

In fact, dogs have a total of 42 teeth, with 36 of those teeth used solely for shearing.

This unique dentition is a result of their evolution as predators, where they needed to tear flesh and crush bone to eat.

Their 2 mandibular first molars, the largest molars in the dog's mouth, can even crush and shear, making them a crucial part of their dental anatomy.

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Dogs that eat too fast are more likely to choke on their food or make a lump of kibble in their throat.

Feeding your dog away from other pets can help eliminate the feeling of competition for food that can lead to eating too fast. This simple solution can make a big difference in your dog's eating habits.

Switching to wet food or making your dog's kibble wet can also help slow down their eating. Wet food is less likely to form a ball in their throat when swallowed too quickly, and it's more challenging for them to pick up and bolt down.

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Here are some practical ways to slow down your dog's eating:

Feeding many small meals throughout the day can also help your dog eat more slowly and reduce the risk of choking or vomiting.

Dogs have a unique dentition, with 36 teeth used only for shearing and 4 teeth used for crushing or grinding.

Their teeth are not designed for chewing, with no flat molar surfaces to allow for it.

This is why dogs often gulp down their food whole, which can be beneficial for their digestion.

Dogs were not made to eat modified food sources, but rather raw meat, which they can eat in a single gulp.

Their mouth is designed for catching and tearing food, not for chewing it thoroughly.

A poor-quality diet can lead to a dog that always feels hungry and gulps down their food instead of chewing it. This is because nutrient-deficient diets don't satisfy your dog's needs.

Some types of kibble are larger than others, so buying a larger size biscuit can force your dog to chew more.

Dogs that have suddenly stopped chewing their food, whether soft or hard, and also have bad breath, tartar on their teeth, and other signs of dental disease might have started swallowing their food whole because their mouths are too painful to chew the food.

Dental disease can be a major issue for dogs, causing them to avoid eating altogether.

Bad breath is a common sign of dental disease in dogs, so if your furry friend has been smelling like a dumpster, it's worth checking their teeth.

Dogs with dental disease may also have visible tartar on their teeth, which can be a sign of a bigger problem.

Some dogs may even show signs of pain when eating, such as avoiding certain foods or eating very slowly.

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If your dog looks like they're always hungry and in a hurry to get all their food down, or they've suddenly stopped chewing, take them to the vet for a physical and oral examination.

The vet will be able to treat your dog if they have parasites and recommend dog food with quality ingredients that are beneficial to your dog.

If your dog is naturally a fast eater, don't leave out large amounts of food, as this can lead to overeating and bloat. You can also feed them less food more frequently.

Vigorous exercise right after a meal can also increase the risk of bloat, so try to space out your dog's exercise routine.

You can slow your dog's eating down by placing balls and other objects that are too large to swallow in their bowl, making it difficult to gobble up all their food in just a few licks.

To make mealtime more challenging and fun, you can purchase a slow-feeding bowl, snuffle mat, or puzzle feeder that requires your dog to work for their food.

Here are some ways to slow down your dog's eating:

If your dog is having trouble eating dry kibble, you can try making it wet and soft before you feed it to your pet.

Kibble only causes a problem if your dog eats so fast that it makes itself sick, or sometimes it can be an issue for an older dog with bad teeth.

You can also buy cans of wet dog food which are made for puppies or older dogs to eat when they have trouble with kibble.

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Some dogs will not eat kibble and will only eat soft food, while others will do just fine with either option.

Dogs that eat kibble will either crunch their food or swallow it whole, as kibble is already cut into small enough pieces to swallow immediately.

Like us, dogs have their preferences for texture when eating, and some dogs enjoy the crunchy texture of kibble.

The dogs that do chew kibble more than likely enjoy the crunchy texture, which suggests that texture plays a significant role in their eating preferences.

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If your dog is having trouble eating dry kibble, you can try making it wet and soft before you feed it to your pet.

Kibble only causes a problem if your dog eats so fast that it makes itself sick.

You can also buy cans of wet dog food which are made for puppies or older dogs to eat when they have trouble with kibble.

Some companies also make raw foods that you can buy which have to be refrigerated.

Dogs who do not like to eat kibble often find these raw foods quite palatable.

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