Does your dog love playing fetch and tug of war as much as mine? My Dog Wants To Play After Eating! One thing I’ve noticed, though, is that after he eats (and yes, he gets fed twice daily on set times), he always wants to play right afterwards.
What’s up with this behavior? Is there anything I can do about it? Keep reading if you want to learn more about why dogs want to play right after eating and what you can do about it!
Why Dogs Want To Play After Eating
Playing after eating can be a fun way for your dog to release pent up energy. This is because their stomach is full, but their brain still wants to play. As a result, they experience an adrenaline rush which not only makes them feel good, it also allows them to use up some of the excess calories they just consumed.
Playing with your dog after they eat can help prevent boredom and behavioral problems like chewing on furniture or digging holes in the yard. It also provides mental stimulation, giving your pup something new to think about.
If you don’t want them running around right away, then set aside 15-30 minutes after they’ve eaten where they can run off that pent up energy while playing outside! I typically take my pups for a walk around the neighborhood and let them off leash as much as possible during this time.
There’s so much excitement when we’re back home that there’s no way they’ll want to sleep (or chew on anything) right away!
The Risks Of Playing After Eating
Playing with your dog after they have eaten can lead to a stomachache, vomiting and other health complications. If you do decide to play with them after they have eaten, make sure that you monitor them carefully and take a break if they are showing any signs of discomfort. Keep in mind that dogs will not always show their pain so it is important to keep an eye on them.
A great way to provide entertainment for your pup without the risk of damaging their gut is by using chew toys or food puzzles instead! Chew toys encourage chewing which naturally cleans teeth while also providing mental stimulation.
Food puzzles provide entertainment while challenging your pup to think and find food. In both cases, no food goes straight into their mouth which lowers the risk of choking on an inappropriate object.
Both types of puzzle games can be found at most pet stores, but some people may prefer to craft their own toy out of old household items like cardboard boxes and dish towels.
The best part about these DIY projects is that there’s little chance they’ll cost you anything as opposed to buying a new toy at the store.
What You Can Do To Prevent Your Dog From Playing After Eating
The best way to keep your dog from playing after eating is to feed them in a crate or other area that will prevent them from playing and getting dirty. If you don’t have a designated area, try feeding your dog their food before they have the opportunity to run around too much.
You can also put their bowl on an elevated surface so they’ll need to do some work in order to eat it. If your dog is large enough to be able to reach up with his paws and knock over his own food dish, then buy one with high walls.
Other things you can do to discourage this behavior are by teaching your pup how to wait at meal times until he’s given permission for the next round of kibble, or by simply giving him less than he needs each time.
However, if your dog has not had a chance to learn these behaviors because of other circumstances such as being abandoned or coming from an abusive environment, then putting down more food in intervals may help teach your dog better eating habits.
We All Want A Clean House But Is That What’s Best For Our Pets? One thing that dogs love to do is eat and play simultaneously-something humans should avoid doing!
How To Get Your Dog To Stop Playing After Eating
If your dog is eating and then immediately wants to play or exercise, it’s likely that he or she might have eaten too quickly.
This might be because of a food allergy or because the food didn’t sit well with the stomach. In some cases, it’s also possible that your dog is simply trying to get all of the energy out from their last meal before they settle down for a nap.
If you’re noticing this behavior on a regular basis, it might be worth talking to your veterinarian about possible solutions. If nothing else seems to work, there are a few things you can try on your own:
1) Slow down how much food you give them in one sitting.
2) Give them smaller portions more frequently throughout the day instead of in one large meal at night.
3) Consider making their meals healthier by adding in fresh vegetables and low-fat meats.
Conclusion
Dogs are extremely playful animals, and it is natural for them to want to play after eating.
There is no one way to remedy this situation, but there are a few things that can help. If your dog is begging for food every five minutes, try placing a bowl of food out of reach.
This will occupy them while they wait for their next meal and keep the begging at bay.
You could also leave some toys out when you’re home so they have something to do while you’re gone. They’ll be so busy playing with those toys that they won’t even remember how hungry they were!
