oowee Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 I am feeding my 7 month old cocker spaniel on raw meat which is basically minced up chicken meat bone and offal. I make the dog sit whilst i put the bowl down step away and send him off to eat and i am well out the way when he does. He literally swallows the lot in just a few gulps and has it away in under 15 seconds at the outside. Is this normal, ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 Do you have other dogs ? its more common if there is more than one . One of my Labs does the same where the other does not , they are both healthy enough so I don't worry about it . You could always buy a anti gulp bowl if it concerns you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted March 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 Only one. Just looked up the bowls they are a good idea thx. If its not a problem I will leave him to it. I have some chicken feet that I give him to chew but he has swallowed a few of these too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 U can buy anti gulp bowls from pets at home but there rubbish, smash/crack really easily, and not enough spikes to really stop the dogs that much Got a few similar things from the Working gundog company, a funny shaped plate with loads of spiky things sticking up, works really well takes my 2 labs about 5 mins to eat there food instead of 30 secs. Really hard wearing too, had them a good couple of years and been dropped a few times still going strong. Highly recommend them (as an aside i really like there dumies too, for young dogs the black/white ones are handy to help for marking) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albifrons Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 I have two cockers who simply demolish any food put in front of them. If raw, or on the odd occasion dried food, it does not make any difference. I wouldn't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 The problem is as a pup he has been conditioned to bolt food or lose out to other pups due to poor feeding practices. On a raw diet it may be difficult, but for mine, i get them fed seperately when with mother on solid food, and when i feed i simply keep the bowl full for of dry food 24/7 and dogs (springers) have always managed their own intake and my dogs have always been lean and very fit. Having pork haugh bone available 24/7 might be the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 My lab used to do this, I ended up holding a raw chicken wing at the tip and not letting go whilst she chewed it breaking up all the bones in it until I was satisfied letting her then have it to swallow, did that a couple of times and never happened again. I also went through a stage of giving her her food in portions doing different little exercises (i.e the 'leave it') but it sounds like you already do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I've heard people say put a large rubber ball in there food bowl which will slow them down, might be worth a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 I should see It as a greater issue if it was slow and picky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 I should see It as a greater issue if it was slow and picky I agree, if he's not sick and its having no detrimental effect what's the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albifrons Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 I agree, if he's not sick and its having no detrimental effect what's the problem? I should see It as a greater issue if it was slow and picky At last some sense. Could someone tell me what the issue is with a dog bolting his food down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 In some dogs they inhale a lot of air with the food when they bolt it down. Some get problems with bloat, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach torsion due to bolting. Not all dogs are affected, but it is a risk especially with deep chested breeds like Setters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millrace Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 My cocker is often referred to as "Hoover"...... Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted March 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 My cocker is often referred to as "Hoover"...... Lol mines more like dyson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 Just make sure you use a feeding stand set at the right height, to avoid excessive air intake which can cause stomach torsion (also called twisted gut). Depends who you listen to regarding the correct height. I set mine so the dog's neck is still curved upwards whilst it is eating, but not so high it struggles to lick round the bottom of the bowl. This keeps the oesophagus in an upwards-curved position allowing air to be burped back up as the dog eats, rather than swallowed, inflating the stomach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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