Skip to main content

Follow Me

Slow It Down: Easy & Cheap Hacks to Stop Your Dog From Scarfing Their Food

Slow It Down: Easy & Cheap Hacks to Stop Your Dog From Scarfing Their Food

Fast eating isn’t just gross—it can be dangerous. Fortunately, slowing your dog down at mealtime doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a little creativity and a few household items, you can help your dog eat safely and calmly.


---

🛠️ DIY Slow Feeder Ideas

These at-home hacks can help your dog work with their food instead of against it:

🥫 1. Soup Can Slow Feeder

Place a clean, label-free soup can or upside-down mason jar in the center of your dog’s bowl. This forces your dog to eat around the object, making big gulps impossible.

🧁 2. Muffin Tin Method

Divide their meal between the cups of a muffin tin. For extra challenge, add clean rocks or toys to slow things down more. (Ensure nothing is small enough to swallow.)

🍽️ 3. Feed on a Plate or Tray

Spread food across a cookie sheet or large plate. Your dog will have to lick and pick up bits, rather than gulping a mouthful.

🧻 4. Rolled Towel Feeding

Sprinkle food across a towel, then roll it loosely. Your dog must unroll and sniff through to find the food—great for mental stimulation too!

🧊 5. Freeze the Food

Soak kibble in water, bone broth, or goat milk, then freeze in a bowl or mold. The frozen texture slows them down and keeps them hydrated.


---

🛒 Affordable Store-Bought Options

You don’t have to spend big. Many dollar stores and second-hand shops carry:

Slow-feeder bowls

Puzzle feeders

Treat-dispensing toys


Check Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores for gently used options!


---

🍽️ Other Feeding Adjustments

Feed smaller meals more often – two or three smaller meals may reduce scarfing

Use treat-dispensing toys – stretch mealtime into an activity

Hand-feed as training – turn mealtime into bonding and impulse control



---

Coming Next: Let’s talk about emotional triggers. In the next post, we’ll cover long-term strategies for calming anxious eaters and improving your dog’s relationship with food.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Winter Effects on Your Dog’s Weight

Winter Effects on Your Dog’s Weight: Why It Happens and How to Help Winter can be a challenging season for dogs — from icy walks to long, lazy days indoors. But did you know that cold weather can also affect your dog’s weight? When the snow starts to fall and temperatures drop, many of us notice changes in our dogs — from lower energy to dry skin. One change that can sneak up on pet parents is weight fluctuation . Dogs may gain or lose weight in the winter depending on their activity level, metabolism, and environment. Understanding these seasonal shifts can help you keep your pup at a healthy weight year-round. A brisk winter walk can help your dog maintain a healthy weight. 🐾 Why Dogs May Gain Weight in Winter Less activity: Cold weather and shorter days often mean fewer walks, shorter playtimes, and less overall movement. Extra calories: Many owners add “comfort foods” or extra treats during the holidays, leading to calorie overload. Indoor l...
6 comments
Read more

Treats That Should Be Marketed for Both Dogs and Cats

Treats That Should Be Marketed for Both Dogs and Cats Because good ingredients don’t need a species label. We live in a world where dogs steal cat treats and cats nibble on dog jerky—and the truth is, many treats don’t need to be separated by species at all. Especially in multi-pet homes, the overlap in healthy, species-appropriate ingredients is huge. So why are treats marketed so differently? Why the Divide Exists Short answer: marketing and money. The pet industry thrives on duplication—more labels, more packaging, more sales. But if you read the back of a high-quality single-ingredient cat treat and compare it to a dog treat… they’re often identical. Dogs are scavenging carnivores, cats are obligate carnivores, and both benefit from meat-first, low-carb, additive-free snacks. Treats That Are Perfect for Both Dogs and Cats 🐟 Freeze-Dried Fish (Salmon, Minnow, Whitefish) Why it works: High in Omega-3s, supports joint and coat health, and irresistible to both speci...
7 comments
Read more

Why the 80/10/10 Raw Food Ratio Isn’t Always Enough for Dogs — and How We Can Do Better

Why the 80/10/10 Raw Food Ratio Isn’t Always Enough for Dogs — and How We Can Do Better If you’ve been in the raw feeding world for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard of the 80/10/10 model — 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ. It’s simple, easy to remember, and feels close to what a “whole prey” meal might look like. But as more feeders (and even nutritionists) dig deeper, we’re learning that the 80/10/10 ratio might be more of a starting point than a perfect formula. A recent article on RawFeederLife made that point beautifully — and it’s worth exploring why it matters for our dogs’ long-term health. The 80/10/10 Rule Was Inspired by Nature… But It’s Not the Whole Story The idea behind 80/10/10 was to mimic a natural prey animal — a rabbit, bird, or rodent — and what a wild canine would eat if it caught one. The problem? Most of us aren’t feeding entire prey animals. Even if you’re sourcing great ingredients, chances are you’re missing a few thi...
11 comments
Read more