Voracious Eater

[GWFJR]

My recently acquired(two weeks) 4 yr old Female has a eating habit that needs to be addressed for better digestion. She wolfs down her food like she hasn't seen chow in weeks. She was raised with other dogs in the house and I can understand her developing this habit. But now she is the only Pet and she is being feed twice a day, more than enough for her size and activity level. I walk away when I place the bowl down so she doesn't think I might pick it back up but that doesn't help. I've had 3 previous Rotts raised by me that were VERY laid-back in their eating style. Often they would leave some or all in a bowl until they were hungry. And yes they had other animals in the household from time to time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[bessy-senior]

Hello Just wondering why you find your girl's eating habit a problem? I see it as a healthy appetite, an unfussy dog who eats what she's given. As long as you're not over-feeding, and she's not stealing other dog's food.... isn't she a great dog to have?

Versus my girl Bessy. She sniffs at her food and walks away. She's trying her luck at getting extras like sardines or chicken. But I'm as adamant as she is. So it's either she eat her kibbles or starve. So I have to endure days of watching her starve herself in her attempt to guilt me into adding extras.

Aren't you glad you don't have this problem?

[brunie's mom]

I've had 4 Rottweilers and numerous foster dogs and all of them ate like it was their last meal...if they did not I would be worried.

Sounds like your girl has a good appetite and likes her food. Try adding a bit of warm water to the kibble...it may get her to slow down a little bit...or put some of her kibble stuffed into a Kong, so she has to work at it a bit to eat.

Use her love of food to your advantage...training should be a breeze with food rewards.

Gina

[4zenuff]

I wish I had that problem. My girl (16 weeks) takes forever to eat!! She has to nibble, nibble chase her brother come back and nibble. Or...nibble, pounce the food, nibble nibble. Now I give her a time limit and that seems to help.

[AngelBunny]

Sounds like a normal Rottie to me!

Almost all the Rotties I’ve had—both personal dogs and fosters—have been enthusiastic members of the clean plate club, falling on each meal as if it was the first meal they’d had in days.

Before and after meals in our house are quiet times. The dogs eat, then they’re all expected to take a nap. No vigorous exercise after meals is permitted.

There are benefits to dogs who eat with gusto--you’ll sure know when something is wrong. When my dogs weren’t interested in a meal, I couldn’t get that dog to the vet fast enough.

[GWFJR]

I appreciate the reassurance and suggestions. And I realize the Canine digestive tract is better able to handle this than humans. This morning I noticed the first hint of not being so "voracious". This is just so different from my previous experiences. At least she doesn't "guard" the food from me.

[MollyBellesMom]

I have the same issues with my Rottie. Though I agree with many here, a healthy appetite is a great thing to have, I believe eating too fast does contribute to digestive problems at some point. For us, eating so fast contributed to terrible gas (again a sign she's eating too fast). To slow our Molly down I put a cup in her bowl of kibble so she has to work around it therefore slowing her down. She has less gas and now like most I'm happy she has such a healthy appetite.

P.S. they also sell special bowls with the same concept with built in cones to slow down the fast eaters.

Good luck!!!!!

[Maxxx]

When we got Max, he was the runt and so, attacked each and every meal like it was his last. Now that he knows he gets 2 squares a day and treats, he doesn't attack his meals like he used to. He still loves his food, but he's a bit more relaxed with eating it. Maybe given some time, your girl will be the same.

[RottsNScotts]

One thing that used to work with our horses was to put a brick or two in their manger that they had to work around. On a dog-size scale, a large rock - no smaller than 2 fists - or two would give her an "obstacle" course to eat around.

And, as you have started to notice, she may slow down as she becomes more comfortable in her new surroundings.

[GWFJR]

Yes, I might try the Rock equivalent and hope she doesn't try to eat that as well. I've seen the "specially designed" Bowls with the cone in the middle. Maybe put her Kong in the middle to have to work around. She does seem to be less wolfish at this point. I was dealing with some "gas" issues and some rumblings in her tummy. Hence, the original question.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

[brunie's mom]

What food are you feeding? Rottweilers tend to be a gassy breed and don't do well on food that contains corn, wheat or soy.
You may want to change to a better quality food.

Gina

[Urika]

Rogue is going on twelve weeks old. And for each meal she acts as if it's her last. I love the excitment on her face. I feed both dogs at the same time. Occasionally she'll finish her food before Diesel, and she'll lick her bowl clean. Diesel has never been a bowl licker. So, once he's done she'll lick his bowl clean.

[michellemoose]

Good to hear my boy is not the only one! Oskar finishes his 3 cups in seconds and then finds his kong with left over treats in it for dessert! Sometimes he lays down after eating and lets out a huge belch! Even when he was a pup being hand raised he would suck on the bottle so aggressivly!

[cerulean]

Mango is a total chowhound. She will inhale her kibble. To slow her down, we usually put a spoonful of something gooey in with the kibble,,,, like yogurt, creamcheese, sourcream, then stir it up and around the sides.

With humans, the brain doesn't register that the stomach is full until 10 or 20 minutes have passed since eating, and I think the dogs are like this too. Mango will act like she's starving right after she eats a full meal, until 10 minutes go by, then suddenly she'll want to nap.

[webangel2b]

Wow - no Chowhound at my house.

Jesse was a clean plate club member but Dixie is much different. She get's breakfast, one cup of dry and one can of food (nutro). She doesn't even finish that in the morning. Usually she'll follow me upstairs for her "they are away" nap and finishes her meal after we get home in the afternoon. Sometimes she eats it, sometimes I have to throw it away.

She did much better on the homemade diet. Maybe I should bring it back?