How To Cure Your Dog's Anxiety About Food

If your dog swallows too quickly, he may suffer from stomach upset, which can be fatal if not treated in time.

Just like a human, a dog can be sad or happy, scared, stressed and anxious about food. You may have noticed that your dog devours his food at lightning speed as soon as you serve it to him. He may also quickly become hungry again and ask for more food .

This behavior is the result of food cravings, a very common phenomenon , but one that can have fatal consequences for your pet. These include being overweight or obese – which in turn is a risk factor for other diseases – choking or twisting of the stomach.

So if your furry best friend suffers from food cravings, it's important to address it. To do this, you must identify the causes and practice some tricks to reduce their voracious cravings.

Why does your dog have food cravings?

There are many possible causes behind food cravings in dogs. One of them is the instinct inherited from wolves, the animal from which they originate. For their survival, these wild animals must eat quickly so that others do not steal their food.

Another common reason is that he feels like other dogs are going to take his food. On the other hand, certain medications, such as corticosteroids or certain diseases such as diabetes or pancreatic insufficiency, also increase their appetite .

Also, your dog may lack exercise and physical stimulation, which can trigger food cravings. If you don't follow a consistent eating routine, then you may be contributing to his cravings.

Tips for relieving food cravings

The first step is to consult your veterinarian to make sure that the medications your dog is taking are not causing his excessive appetite, and to rule out possible illnesses.

Make sure your dog does not arrive at mealtime over-excited, whether after a game or a walk. It is best if he is calm at mealtimes, without too many stimuli or noises.

Try to feed him at the same time each day and divide his food into two or three meals a day instead of just one.