19 mo male yellow. I think he gobbles his food, but maybe it's semi normal for a lab. Our previous two were more delicate. Anyway, we have a small bowl turned upside down in his feed bowl which reduces space and makes him dig around the edge. Seems to work. He chews some but I think swallows most whole. Poops are fine. Sometimes runny at end but mostly good and cleanupable. My next thought was to move to a larger kibble. Currently feeding him Wellness Core Ocean because I want to stay away from chicken and grains (for no particular reason). Mostly all the "Large Breed" foods have chicken, even as top ingredient. Will a larger kibble help? Or am I overthinking this? Should I just feed him a food he likes if all else is good? Thanks!
Fwiw I'm wanting to get away from the Wellness Core Ocean because it has menhaden fish in it which is not sustainable, menhaden are becoming very scarce and are an important piece of the ocean lifecycle.
Rolo my yellow boy used to do the same from a very young age..... I wouldnt worry, bigger kibble may actually be worse as Rolo used to get it stuck in his throat.... I changed to a smaller kibble and spread it over a mat for him!
I don't think many Labs spend the time to chew their kibble. Mine will if I give them individual pieces but in a bowl? Nope. More success if I scatter the kibble over the floor or hide it around the room for them to find - which is also a lot more enriching for them, anyway.
I used to scatter Charlie's kibble on the floor too which does help with a speedy eater. I also hide it for scent games which he loves and he has had to earn his food too.
Zaba has a slow bowl - it does the trick and slows him down a lot https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Dogs/wan...488978625&sr=8-2&keywords=slow+dog+bowl+large ...
We spread her food on a dry surface, whether in the house or outside and then DH calls her chook chook
flip your bowl and place two tennis balls in with his kibble. he will need to move the balls around to get to his kibble.
Has anyone ever come across a snuffelmat? I have never tried it but looks like fun... https://www.snuffelmat.nl/en_GB/
You could also feed him raw meat and raw meaty bones. I feed Snowie raw food and he really chews his food and takes time to eat a meal. If he gets into a bowl of kibble (if we visit the dog up the road and they've left the food bowl out) he will suction up the kibble!
I made a snuffle mat for mine. They do really love it. Luna has to be supervised, otherwise she chews the rubber. She's also learnt that the quickest way to get the kibble is by flipping it upside down
That's cool. I'd have to put Tonka outside while I filled this, if not I'd have a river of drool to clean up.
