The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Walker does not chew anything. He simply inhales and swallows everything: food, treats, carrots, everything.

Is there any way to get him to chew his food? I've tried feeding him out of my hand, and he still just swallows it whole. Surely it makes it harder to digest when it's whole...right?

Any advice would be great.

Good luck. They seem to digest it. I've had a few vacuums in the past

Does he suck, gag and then chew or does it just go down the hatch whole? My only advice is to give other things to chew on that are larger like RMB's or bully sticks or something so maybe he'll figure out that the flavor's are better when you chew. How old is he?

Have you tried making him work for his food like putting it in Kong or one of those toys that, when they roll, kibble falls out a little at a time? You can also buy a bowl that has "bumps" on the bottom and it makes them slow down when they eat - or just put a tennis ball in his food bowl. That never worked for me (they just take it out) but I've heard others sy it has worked for their other dogs. As far as feeding from your hand, if you have, say, a carrot, hold onto it and don't let him take it. Just let him chew it while you are holding it. You can even do this with a small treat - I do it with Waylon all the time. He, too, eats SO fast.

The ball in the food bowl is a good idea. I have one of the tug-a-jugs but he is afraid of it. He'd starve to death if I put his meals in there I think he would be okay with the ball in his bowl, I'll try it tonight.

He doesn't gag or choke on his food, it goes straight down his throat with no problem. He's only 3. Ranger, who's 2 1/2 chews everything just fine. He savors his meals

Walker though, I could probably feed him cat poo and he wouldn't notice until it was down the hatch already!

Have you tried hand feeding him to get him to take smaller pieces and to chew it. Try giving him something sticky like peanut butter in his food that he has to lick to eat and enjoy. Silly boy, he misses all the flavor!

Here's a picture of one of the bowls that make them slow down:

http://www.vitacost.com/jw-pet-skid-sto ... 8940632412

How did the tennis ball(s) work? Did he just move them, or eat around them?

Kaci, I have a plastic Break-Fast bowl that I am not using right now. I would be happy to let you use it before you go out and get one. Just let me know and I can send it your way.

My husband fed Walker before I got home from work last night, so I'm determined to try it tonight. I will let you know how it goes. Deborah, that is so kind of you! I'm hoping the ball in his bowl will work. If not, I'd be thrilled to try your bowl. I'll keep you posted

I'm afraid the ball didn't help.

http://youtu.be/5D3ossDVx4Q

He still didn't chew and though it may have taken him 20 seconds more to eat, he's still just swallowing it.

I would suggest coating his food to see if he will lick it off first, like with a bit of pumpkin or with plain yogurt. Can you hand feed and try putting the piece of kibble on the side of his mouth in his teeth? Did he ever chew at all? How about soft food that he has to chew to eat? Just trying to think of any scenarios that may help!

I have a ton of pumpkin! Usually I just give them a spoonfull....off of the spoon. I shall try the pumkin tonight in his food!

And for the record, I don't think it's hurting him to swallow his food whole. I just think it can't be great for him. Worst case cenario is that he continues to swallow it. But I would like to put a stop to it if I can.....your ideas have been awesome!

I think my girls have him beat They eat so stinking fast, but they do chew. Their jaws are moving at the speed of light. Are you sure he isn't chewing at all?

I don't think he's chewing. I don't hear any crunching. When I give him a carrot, I can hear him crunch once or twice and then it's swallowed.

I taped our try with pumpkin last night. It did seem to help. I don't know that he's chewing a lot, but it sure took him longer. Please watch until the 1:45 mark, Ranger offers the LOUDEST belch for your viewing pleasure!!

http://youtu.be/q8046nzCEXE

Kaci, it looks like he did great with the pumpkin treat. I only use about one tablespoon of pumpkin or yogurt in my dogs' dishes. Heck my dogs eat a lot faster than he does! I do think he is chewing it, my mom found that if she buys little sized kibble her dogs tend to chewe better than the big ones. Go figure. Love his freckles!

I wouldn't worry about it...he's a gulper and that's just what he is . My girls are just piggy eaters too. Definitely cut way back on the pumpkin, if you are going to use it. I noticed Ranger was over at Walker's bowl, so he must be eating as fast or faster? Or maybe that is why Walker feels he has to eat fast?

Either way, I'd let him be. Others may have a different thought.

Usually Walker is done in about 30 seconds and it takes Ranger a few minutes. So it was strange last night that Ranger finished before Walker. I think you're right, about letting him be. I guess it's not hurting him to gulp and not chew. This was a fun experiment though! Thanks for all of your ideas.

The tennis ball idea didn't work for my cocker, but I put a soupcan (unopened!) in his dish and it worked wonders! He really had to search for his bits and pieces and chewed in the meantime. Now he doesn't need the can anymore, but he does swallow things whole sometimes!

Walker says if you want him to take longer too eat then you'll have to double up his servings