More often than not, dog's develop unhealthy eating patterns. As an owner, you'll want to identify your pet's bad eating habits and take the necessary steps to turn him into a healthy eater. Once you establish his daily pattern, you can adjust his portions, monitor his weight, and substitute healthy dog treats in his diet.

 

 

 

In order to determine your dog's eating habits, you'll need to observe him carefully for several days. Some questions you should keep in mind:

 

 

- Does my dog have a consistent daily meal routine?

 

- Does my dog beg whenever food is present?

 

- Do I control his daily portions well?

 

- Does my dog eat table scraps?

 

- Do I feed my dog treats with lots of fat and calories instead of healthy dog treats?

 

- Does my dog scavenge for food even if he's already eaten?

 

- Does my dog continue to eat as if his hunger is never sated?

 

- Is my dog a picky eater?  

 

- Do I have to make his food more palatable for him to eat it (add canned food, gravy, toppings)?

 

- Does my dog have access to food at all times?

 

 

After careful analysis, you will probably find that your dog's eating habits fall into one of the following categories:

 

 

Grazer: Your dog has a tendency to eat constantly. If left to his own devices, he would eat until he explodes. The best way to overcome this eating pattern is to schedule two meals a day. Don't leave his dish out all the time. Measure a cup of food (or the quantity your vet suggests) and divide it across two or three meals each day. Each dog has different caloric needs, so you need to adjust his intake accordingly. Be sure you feed him at the same time and same place each day. After your dog has spent 15 minutes at the bowl, take it away. This reduces his consumption of unnecessary food and calories. You can safely feed him a few healthy dog treats throughout the day, but he will no longer be able to graze constantly.

 

 

Beggar: As soon as he smells food, your dog begs. He's awfully cute, so you probably feed him treats or table scraps whenever he does. The best way to turn his bad habits into good ones is to cut him off completely from people food. It doesn't matter how much he begs - don't share your table scraps. If he becomes a nuisance, consider crating him or putting him in the other room. Be sure everyone in the house supports the begging ban. You can also substitute better alternatives to people food every time your dog begs. If he's mooching for a piece of steak, feed him one or two healthy dog treats instead. Better yet, spend time playing with your pet whenever he begs. Good exercise is a much better option.

 

 

Snacker: Your dog is pampered and loved, but you frequently give him too many treats in addition to affection. Here's how to curb over-zealous snacking in your dog: replace treats with positive praise and spending quality time with him. If you don't want to eliminate treats altogether (and why would you?), cut treats in half. Also, choose healthy dog treats so you can feel good about rewarding him. Find treats that are low in calories and high in nutrients.

 

 

Dumpster Diver: Your dog will go to any lengths to get his paws on some food. Time to outwit your dog. Keep a tight lid on your trash cans (or buy a lid lock) and sprinkle the top with baking powder, a safe repellant. Prepare your meals on counters that are too high for your dog to reach. Once again, spread his meals out over the course of a day. This way, he won't be as desperate to find food.

 

 

Picky Eater: Your dog refuses to eat unless you make it taste better, or maybe he doesn't want to eat at all. You go through several brands of dog food in a month, and he won't even eat healthy dog treats. This situation is a little more difficult to rectify. You may need to consult your vet about your dog's picky eating, as it could be caused by a health problem.

 

 

Dogs in any of these categories may have a tendency to wolf down food. This presents a choking hazard, so you'll want to monitor this closely. If your pet gulps down his food, try spreading his kibble out on a flat surface so he can't eat as quickly. Otherwise, feed the dog where you'll be nearby.

 

 

As always, if you have difficulty adjusting your dog's bad eating habits, consult your veterinarian and/or obedience trainer for help. Make these changes as soon as possible so that your dog will live a long and happy life.