8 month old Boxer eats too fast!

[apollosdad]

My puppy scarfs his food and barely even chews it at all. I've started feeding him with a toy, but i really don't think it should be necessary to feed him with a toy for the rest of his life. What are my options?

[OHenry]

A toy is a good idea. In addition to slowing your dog down in the short term, it can also help him form the habit of eating more slowly. I like the clamshell toy where they have to work the food out; the "lifesaver;" the everlast treat ball; and a couple of others. There is also a food bowl in a T shape that helps them slow down. Putting a tennis ball or softball in his dog bowl can also help slow him down.

[Nettle]

This is normal dog. Dogs don't chew. Don't worry about it.

[ladybug1802]

When I got my dog he ate his food WAY too fast it was scary! I got him an 'Eat Better' bowl....designed to slow eating down because the dog cant just move the food all the way round the bowl and inhale. It does slow him down for sure. But my friend's lab literally inhales his food - he doesnt chew it at all, just seems to swallow it whole. She doesnt seem bothered by it ....but I find it quite scary! But he has never had any problems eating this way.

[Noobs]

It certainly isn't necessary to feed him from toys his whole life, but it'll be more fun for him, it'll take him longer, and it'll occupy his time better. But after spending months being paranoid about Murphy inhaling food out of his bowl and then watching him regurgitate then re-swallow, then regurgitate then re-swallow ...I learned to relax about it.

[runlikethewind]

Try one of the several bowls there are the market - there's one called GobbleNot. They have raisied bumps in the middle so the dog has to eat around them slower.

[maximoo]

Putting rocks in the bowl helps too--has the same effect as raised bumps & much cheaper!