Supporting a Calm Eater: How to Manage Anxiety & Feeding Behavior in Dogs If your dog eats like their life depends on it, there may be more going on than just hunger. Many “scarf and barf” dogs eat quickly because they’re anxious, overstimulated, or not confident around food. The good news? You can help. This post explores long-term ways to create a calm, safe feeding environment for your dog—and support their emotional health at the same time. --- 😟 How Anxiety Affects Mealtime Dogs with anxiety may: Obsess over food Gobble before they can relax Guard their food bowl Get fixated or overstimulated at mealtime These behaviors can stem from past trauma, high-energy environments, or just a naturally nervous temperament. --- 🌿 Creating a Calm Feeding Routine Calmness starts before the food hits the bowl. 🧘♂️ Pre-Meal Calm Take a short walk Do 5–10 minutes of scent work or training Use a quiet, distraction-free feeding area 🐕🦺 Training Tools Ask for a “sit” and “wait” before givi...
Holistic Dog Nutrition and Wellness