It can be cause of great concern if your dog does not chew its food regularly. Most puppies and infants explore their world by placing objects into their mouth.
Sometimes they tend to gulp down their food rather quickly, which could be caused by various factors.
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Dental Issues
Many pet owners notice their canines swallow whole bites of food without chewing at all – an instinctive behavior for canines which helps them eat faster. It could also be an indicator of dental issues.
Canine teeth are designed for tasting food, not crushing large chunks. Unfortunately, dog jaw anatomy can sometimes result in an alarming gulping behavior which could potentially lead to choking. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor your pup’s teeth and gums regularly if he or she exhibits symptoms such as excessive drooling or changes in gum color – keeping an eye out is especially essential if symptoms like excessive drooling occur or their color changes drastically.
If your pup is eating dry food that’s difficult for him or her to chew, try mixing in some wet food such as homemade stews that provide added moisture for chewing. This will give them the extra moisture their teeth require in order to break it down properly and digest their meals more easily.
Anxiety
Fearful or anxious dogs oftentimes refuse to chew their food, which is a common symptom of separation anxiety or other forms of fear. Furthermore, these pets may forego eating kibble altogether in favor of canned or raw food as the texture can be uncomfortable for them.
Wild dogs’ teeth and jaws are tailored for fast eating, not leisurely chewing. This behavior is commonplace within their pack environments where competition for sustenance is at its height.
Your dog may be showing signs of dental pain; therefore it is wise to visit a veterinarian immediately in order to diagnose what is causing their discomfort and recommend any necessary treatments. Dental issues should not alter an animal’s appetite in any significant way, however; but it may take some time before their pet returns to its regular eating habits.
Health Issues
Dogs may suffer from health conditions that interfere with their eating habits, including cancer or diabetes. A sudden loss of appetite could indicate pain or other health problems like these; in these instances, an animal who normally eats but then stops doing so should visit its veterinarian immediately.
Dogs in the wild have genetic instincts that encourage them to consume food quickly in order to not miss out and allow it to be taken by members of their pack or outside danger. Their teeth and throats are designed specifically to enable fast swallowing of whole pieces, so they typically “bolt” it down rather than chew it properly.
Pets that prefer chewing non-food items could be showing symptoms of pica, an eating disorder characterized by an urge to consume non-edible objects like stones, sticks, dirt or metal that they otherwise wouldn’t normally ingest, such as household materials clothing and even other non-food materials. Pica can be serious and life threatening condition.
Stress
Dogs that refuse to chew are likely suffering from painful dental issues, like discolored and foul-smelling teeth and bad breath as indicators of periodontal disease that is painful for dogs to consume. Left untreated, dental disease can also lead to gum recession and bone loss in their jaw.
Your dog could also suffer from painful health conditions like Masticatory Muscle Myositis (an autoimmune disease that causes the muscles involved with chewing to atrophy). This should be addressed immediately with a veterinarian.
Any sudden change in your pet’s eating habits should be taken seriously and warrants immediate veterinary evaluation. It could be as simple as boredom with their hard, dry food or it could indicate something more serious such as dental or digestive problems; don’t wait – book an appointment with Small Door Vets immediately to discover why their appetite changed!
