Anybody have this problem

[coolcowsmoo]

If I add anything to Avery's dry food to make it "special" in case he's being stubborn about eating as well as I think he should... he gobbles it without chewing any. If I just leave it plain, he does chew it to eat it, but he takes his sweet time in deciding to eat it :/

[MandiesMom]

LOL! He's just excited to have a special treat so he gobbles it up fast before it gets away. Mandie doesn't really do this, but my bigger pup does.

[SWHouston]

HA, I call those guys "gobblers" and "nibblers"

Have had both, and sometimes my guys like to "gobble". That's something you really don't have to worry about. Their digestive systems are quite different from ours, and they don't need to chew the bite 25 times to get the proper nutrition out of it.

As long as they have good appetites

[kimp5]

OMG! so does mine..I can hear her gulping..then after she lets out a big burp! I said "hey savor it a bit, you only get fed twice a day" she eats the whole bowl within 30 seconds...

[coolcowsmoo]

If I give him his kibble plain, he will eat it slowly and chew it (which is what I thought was part of the good of kibble help keep healthy teeth by chewing). But if I add anything to it that doesn't require chewing (like cottage cheese, yogurt or a liquid) than he gobbles it all down whole :/ So I feel like that takes some of the benefit of eating the kibble instead of moist food away. I've taken to giving him anything else separately so he doesn't do this.

[MandiesMom]

Chewing really isn't a major part in keeping the teeth healthy (I used to think it was, too..until reading research stated around the forum). Does he have chew toys or anything? Brushing regular for the teeth and some chewing (for strength mainly) will work. If he eats better with soft things mixed in, I would definitely say go for it. Mixing it up will help him not get bored with his food, too

[SWHouston]

Originally Posted by coolcowsmoo

I've taken to giving him anything else separately.

I have three separate food bowls (different brands), then, three individual bowls, one for each Dog, then, a spare "common" bowl when there's something that they all like for stuff that's too gooey to put with the dry, then, there's three water bowls inside, and two outside.

I can fill the Dishwasher, with just their stuff.
(I always drop a couple washable toys in as well)