Expand To Show Full Article
Food Obsessed Pets: Here's Why Pets Gobble Food & What to Do

Please note that some posts contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links Find out More

Food Obsessed Pets and Why Pets Gobble Food

by | Jul 9, 2021 | Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care | 2 comments

Do your pets gobble food? Are they pushy around the food bowl? Food aggression in cats (rare) and dogs (more common) can be a problem. But food obsessed pets happen for a variety of reasons. And it can result in gassy pets (learn about pet flatulence in this post).

pets gobble food

Pet Eating Behaviors Vary

When Karma-Kat showed up on our back patio, the eight-month-old kitten had been on his own for some time. Starved for attention, and for food, he quickly made himself at home. He ate anything and everything. Karma chewed through the dog food bag to munch canine kibble and practiced snatch-and-grab attacks to gobble food from our dinner plates. You can use treats (within reason!) to make shy cats like you, though!

Our last dog, Magic the German Shepherd, had a healthy appetite, but declined to gobble. Bravo-Dawg often scarfed-and-barfed in quick succession. Shadow-Pup takes turns snubbing the bowl and gobbling his food.

Pets are individuals of course, but I wondered why some pets practice gluttony while others eat with more discriminating palates. For answers, I reached out to Dr. Dottie LaFlamme, DVM, PhD, DACVN, +/- Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist with the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

fat pets

Crash diets with fat cats can lead to deadly fatty liver disease.

Why Dogs & Cats Gobble Their Food

“Gobbling of food seems to be a trait carried over from wolves,” says Dr. Laflamme. “Wolves or other canids in packs are in competition for access to a kill, so grab what they can when they can.” Learn more about how dogs eat in this post.

In domestic dogs, she says speed of eating seems to be a breed-specific characteristic. Certain breeds of dogs swallow their food in a gulp or two, while others prefer to nibble or graze. “Beagles and Labrador Retrievers are among those breeds known to be gobblers,” she says. Learn about preventing obesity in this post.

Besides breed, considerable individual variation in eating habits develops in dogs. “This may be related to early experiences, and feeding management, and competition (real or perceived) for food bowl access. Also environmental factors including those that may leave a dog more or less relaxed while eating. And availability of food.”

A specific breed of a cat doesn’t appear to play a role in feline gobblers. Refer to this post on how cats eat.  Dr. Laflamme says there are no scientific studies to identify the reasons behind “Garfield” type cats. But she speculates there may be several reasons, alone or in combination, for this behavior in both cats and dogs.

Those starved as strays may be more food focused, she says. Also, young pets that are meal-fed (rather than ad libitum feeding) during early development may be more likely to be rapid eaters. “This is based on a limited number of animals and personal observations,” she cautions, “but it also fits your Karma-Kat situation.”

Cats evolved as solitary hunters and eaters. It’s hard to share a single mouse, after all. That means when cats must share food bowls, eat side by side with other felines, or compete with a bully-cat (or dog), they may resort to gulping down food quickly or risk getting nothing at all.

Great Dane and bloat

Managing meals can reduce the risk of canine bloat in Great Danes and other dogs.

Are There Risks Associated With Food Gobbling?

For cats, gorging can lead to obesity, or nutritional upset if they habitually vomit. Some veterinarians describe stressed cat eating as “scarf-and-barf.” In other words, eating too quickly from stress-related causes can result in the cat’s food coming back up just as quickly. That’s not good for your carpet, your blood pressure, or your cats.

But for otherwise healthy dogs, gulping food isn’t necessarily a bad thing, says Dr. Laflamme. Eating quickly can save time for owners of multiple dogs, when you can control the amount each dog eats, she says. “Dogs can easily consume all their food in just a few minutes, so can be quickly fed once or twice daily. Since this is a natural pattern for dogs, it may not be of any concern.”

However, part of the natural pattern in wolves and pack animals is to engorge with rapid feeding, then regurgitate and re-consume the food while they are away from the frenzy. “Most pet owners are less keen on this habit, despite it being natural,” says Dr. Laflamme.

We have linked one health concern with rapid eating, says Dr. Laflamme. Gastric dilatation volvulus, or bloat, particularly affects large breed dogs, especially deep-chested dogs.

no bowl feeding system

Foraging toys like the No Bowl feeding system, work well for cats.

How Can Owners Slow Pet Food Gobbling?

There are a variety of ways to help dogs and cats eat more slowly. It comes down to managing mealtime. Dr. Laflamme offered these suggestions.

  • Add water to the food to increase the food volume
  • Feed food in larger kibble or chunk sizes so pets must chew rather than gulp
  • Use an automatic feeding device that opens on a scheduled timer to access a portion of the daily ration. That can divide a single meal into multiple small meals.
  • Place one or more non-swallowable balls, large stones, or heavy chain into the feeding bowl so dogs must pick around obstacles to find the kibbles.
  • Use puzzle feeders designed for the purpose. Kibbles placed inside release a few at a time during paw-rolling, nose-nudging play. You can make homemade versions with plastic water bottles or similar.
  • For cats gobbling out of competition or stress, consider feeding them separately.
  • Hiding the puzzle toys for cats to “hunt” slows down gulping.
  • “Licky mats” smeared with wet canned food also slow the consumption.

So what have I missed? Do you live with food obsessed pets? How do you manage meal times? Do tell!

This post first appeared in a different form on the FearFreeHappyHomes.com site.

Have questions about grain free foods for pets? Take a look at this post.

YouTube Button

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Frank Steele

    This blog is custom made for KoKo. Thank you.

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. How to Make Cats FriendyAMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - […] bits are enough. You don’t want cats to gobble and spoil their appetite. Maybe dip your finger in the…
  2. Stinky Dog? How to Deal with Your Pet Dog FlatulenceAMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - […] For more information, refer to posts on doggy diarrhea and managing food obsessed gulpers.  […]
  3. Sick Kitty: What to Do About Anorexia When Pets Won't EatAMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - […] the WRONG food or gobbling too fast can upset pet tummies and cause […]
  4. How Cats Eat: Why Cats Prefer warm Food, Shallow Bowls, & Small Meals - […] Karma-Kat with feeder like the Doc & Phoebe No Bowl solution. It mimics the way cats hunt. Some food-obsessed…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories:

Recent Posts

P’ETiQuette Column Farewell–and Hello to New Readers!

For 30 years, the Herald Democrat editors and readers have been part of my extended family. I only rarely missed a deadline, those times of illness or holidays. So, it surprised me to learn that the column hadn’t published in several weeks despite my having sent one each week for Tuesday publication.

Blame technology, and nothing else. But I owe y’all, my extended family, an explanation of why the column disappeared…

Pet Rescue Breathing & CPR Saves Cat & Dog Lives

May 19 is “Rescue Dog Day” and how better to celebrate than to learn about Pet Rescue Breathing and pet CPR? You can save your dog or cat’s life by knowing how to do pet CPR and how to perform rescue breathing. Pets suffer brain injury and death if oxygen is cut off for only a few minutes. When minutes count, rescue breathing can save your pet’s life.

Cat in Heat Behavior, What to Know About Feline Estrus

What to Know About Feline Estrus

Recently, a friend contacted me about her cat in heat. She wanted to know about a cat in heat behavior, how long are cats in heat, if cats in heat feel pain, and what to do to relieve the cat’s discomfort until spay surgery. Cats in heat signs include several distinctive behaviors common to feline estrus (the technical term). In fact, her newly adopted girl, although she looked too young, had already had kittens (they didn’t survive), and now loudly proclaimed Kitty’s determination to repeat the process.

I planned to refer my friend to one of my blogs—and instead realized I hadn’t specifically addressed cats in heat behavior, feline reproduction, and what to know about cat estrus. Yes, I write about this in my Complete Kitten Care and Cat Facts books in more detail, and now you get the kitty Cliff’s notes here.

CAT & DOG SHEDDING? 6 TIPS FOR WHEN THE FUR FLIES

Pets shed in both the spring and fall. Shadow-Pup leaves mini-drifts of fuzz I sweep up daily, all summer long. Karma-Kat’s URK-factor (hairballs) increases with pet shedding season. Yuck! The fur flies about the same time as allergy season begins. If you suffer from allergic reactions to your cat or dog, check out these pet allergy tips.

Dog Shedding Time!

Cat and dog shedding may be a big hairy deal—but it is normal. Magical-Dawg used to leave drifts of black fur everywhere. Although Shadow-Pup’s medium-coarse fur, and Karma-Kat’s short light fur isn’t nearly as noticeable, they also shed.

Year-round floating fur increases the challenge of keeping dry cleaned apparel in a Fido-free zone. You can’t stop pet shedding. Unless you’re a passionate pet lover who considers pet hair to be a condiment, understanding how to tame the hairy mess will keep your pet’s coat and skin healthy and simplify housecleaning…

How to Prepare for a Disaster: Pet Preparedness & Tips

With the latest awful weather and more on the way, it’s time to revisit your pet disaster plan. You do have one, right? Everyone should understand the importance of disaster preparation.

I posted this in June for National Pet Preparedness Month. September is Disaster Preparation Month. And today is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Hurricane Ian drives home the importance of having a disaster plan not only for yourself when Mother Nature throws a tantrum but also to keep your pets safe. Whether you must deal with tornadoes, floods, landslides, typhoons, wildfires, or other emergencies, there’s a rule that we must always PLAN FOR THE WORST.

And then pray it doesn’t happen. Learn more in the post…

Fearful Fido? Know the Signs of Dog Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS)

May 7-13 is Dog anxiety Awareness Week, and June is Pet Anxiety Awareness Month. Do you have a fearful Fido? Do you need help with the fireworks and loud thunderstorms happening this time of year that makes dogs scared? It seems silly, but some dogs feel stress when their human wears a hat! I wanted to share some resources for recognizing and understanding signs of canine fear, anxiety, and stress.

While it’s normal for dogs to be cautious and not run head on into traffic, too much stress and anxiety isn’t healthy. Fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) also affect the immune system, impacting both physical and emotional health.

Up to 20 percent of dogs will be born prone to introversion and fear. Proper socialization improves puppy confidence, but abuse or poor socialization can result in anxiety-ridden adults. Pain or illness also can cause anxiety so these dogs associate certain kinds of handling with discomfort. Ongoing anxiety, stress or fear may lead to fear aggression.

Extreme fear interferes with learning, making it even more difficult to help dogs overcome the angst. Fearful dogs quickly recognize that escape behaviors or fear aggression makes the scary situation go away, so they learn to repeat these behaviors…

Author Audio Books: How to Self Publish Audio Books

Do you love audio books — and thrillers? Yep, I also self publish audio books, including my nonfiction and my thrillers. And since my latest thriller DARE OR DIE released yesterday on all Ebook platforms, plus paperback and hardcover, I’m now planning the audiobook version.

And, that’s MY voice reading the story. How (and why) am I the one reading the book? And for authors out there, how can you do it? What mic do you need, what software…and if you want to hire someone, where do you find the perfect person to “voice” your book?

Read on! Here are the highlights. And if you want or need more step-by-step details, you can check out my on-demand webinar on the subject.

Adopt A Shelter Pet Day: Tips for Cat Adoptions & Dog Adoptions

Will you adopt a new furry friend soon? There are many things to consider when adopting a pet. With Adopt A Shelter Pet Day on April 30th, I wanted to share some sobering adoption facts. In the ASPCA alone, 6.3 million dogs and cats enter their shelters each year, and only about 52% get adopted. I wrote about my pets’ adoption days here, and they chose me more than I chose them. But you don’t need to wait for happy accidents to get your pet, and can adopt shelter pets anytime all year long.

Dare Or Die RELEASES: Amy Shojai Thriller Book #7

DARE OR DIE RELEASES

It’s a book baby birthday today–DARE OR DIE releases, thriller #7 in my THRILLERS WITH BITE series featuring September and Shadow. Get your copy from any of the Ebook platforms.

Or if you prefer physical copies, I gotcha covered with trade paperback and also hardcover versions, available on Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, or (maybe) if you ask your librarian nicely to order a copy. For all the audiobook lovers out there–yes, in the works, so stay tuned. I hope to have the recording finished and sent to the editor for a late May release on all audiobook platforms.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR DARE OR DIE!

“Wow—what a ride! I cannot express how much I loved DARE OR DIE. I enjoy thrillers, but you gave new meaning to the genre with this one. Now I have to go back and read the entire series!” ~Mary H.

“Such a great page turner. Twisty.” ~Carol S.

“This might be the best one yet! As always, you are the queen of the (chapter ending) cliffhanger…” ~Kristi B.

“Another great addition to the Thrillers with Bite series.” ~Nicola A.

Get your copy now…Ebook, paperback, or hardcover. Ya know ya want to…

Cat Urinary Blockage, Feline Urinary Tract Disorders & The “Stoned” Cat

Do you know the signs of a cat urinary blockage? Do you know about FLUTD? Maybe you’re puzzled why your cat suddenly pees outside the box? Or maybe he strains and strains but can’t elminate. Is it constipation? Or does he have a cat urinary blockage? How can I stop my cat from peeing on the carpet?

If you’re asking these questions, you’ve come to the right place. Feline lower urinary tract disorders (FLUTD) can cause deadly cat urinary blockage. It frustrates cat owners—and also the cats! A cat urinary blockage can be deadly, so it’s vital to recognize the signs of a feline urinary tract disorder. This post is dedicated to my friend Susan Richardson-Cripps and the memory of Heathcliff, her fun-loving orange kitty boy.

Visit Amy's Website

Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author.  You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website. 

On Demand Writer Coaching

AmyShojai.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com http://amazon.com/.

Awards

Memberships