Dog Eats Too Fast

My Dog Eats Too Fast - Can't Keep it Down!

This question for our Pet Doc comes from the concerned owner of a three year old Shih Tsu named Toby Jo.

We got Toby Jo 6 months ago. He was running the streets (downtown area) for who knows how long. He was hit by a car. Toby was rescued off the streets by a friend and took him to the Vet. They x-rayed him, etc. He was filthy, and had a lot of fleas. The vet gave Toby a bath and two kinds of flea meds. He didn't have a collar or computer chip.

The vet said to find him a good home because someone had just let him go. So that is how
we ended up with him. I named him. His is lovely but the vet said he is a glutin, ie. he eats very fast. That was his lifestyle on the streets. The vet said to spread his dog food out on a large cookie sheet so he has to hunt for it and that would slow him down.

Well, we used this technique for a long time and it seemed he was doing good, not eating quite as fast, until this past week, when he started throwing up again. Today he threw up twice. I gave him cottage cheese the other day instead of food for one meal. That seamed to work. Then back on his dog food. I buy Fromm Gold Nutritionals dog good for him, along with all natural dog treats.

Toby Jo gets very excited when we come home and jumps up like a Jack Russell. He is pure Shih Tzu though. He loves to take his walks everyday, and loves to sun out on the deck. I don't really know what to do. We feed him one fourth a cup, three times a day.

Do I need to cut that in half more often during day? He is updated on everything and I got him fixed. He just got his booster shot also. Please help Toby eat slower and keep his food down Pet Doc!

When Did Toby Start Eating So Fast?

When we first got him six months ago.

How has his eating habit changed?

Not a whole lot. I asked his vet about it and he said he is just a gluten, and that we should put food on cookie sheet to slow down his eating. But it still happens once in a while where he eats too fast and can't keep his food down. I just gave him cottage cheese - a tablespoon, about 30 minutes ago tonight - so far he kept it down.

When Your Dog Eats Too Fast...Our Pet Doc Responds

Thanks for the question. I have also recommended spreading dog food out like this to help keep dogs engaged and slow down a voracious eater. It has worked at times, and at others it won't, in my experience. If this is Toby's only issue, then I would recommend trying smaller and even more frequent feedings. That can be difficult as life does not allow for that at times.

I am not a big fan of soft dog foods but this may help as well. Try mixing dry dog food with canned food. Lightly moistening the kibble could be of help as well. If all else fails, then ask your veterinarian for suggestions on antacids or other medications that may be valuable to you and Toby. He or she will be able to make the best suggestion, being familiar with your dog. I hope this helps and please keep us informed.

Jacob Mireles, DVM, aka The Pet Doc