As a dog owner, you're probably used to feeding your dog from a bowl. It's a convenient and traditional way of providing your dog with its daily meals. However, there's a new trend in dog feeding that's gaining popularity - ditching the bowl! At absoluteDogs, we've been advocates of ditching the bowl for quite some time, and in this article, we'll explain why.

Dogs are natural scavengers who prefer finding their own food and find it more rewarding when the food is earned. When dogs eat from a bowl, they often gulp down its food quickly, which can lead to digestive issues such as bloating and discomfort while disabled and senior dogs may have difficulty standing to eat. Dogs have a natural instinct to guard food and a bowl of food can trigger resource guarding, which may lead to guarding other objects if not handled properly. Additionally, eating from a bowl doesn't engage your dog's natural instincts and can lead to boredom and behavioural problems such as destructive chewing and barking.

Now, let's talk about why ditching the bowl can be beneficial for your dog. When you ditch the bowl, you encourage your dog to engage in natural behaviours such as foraging, hunting, and problem-solving. By using food for training and providing your dog with interactive feeding toys or hiding its food in different places around your home or yard, you can make mealtimes more fun and challenging for your dog.

Ditching the bowl can also be a great way to provide your dog with mental stimulation. By engaging your dog's brain during mealtimes, you can tire it out mentally, which can be just as important as physical exercise. This can be particularly beneficial for dogs who are prone to anxiety or behavioural issues. If you have a larger dog, the food that is left over from training can be put in Snuffle Mats or other enrichment toys. A Snuffle Mat is a specially designed mat with lots of hiding places for your dog's food. Your dog has to use its nose to find the food, which engages its natural instincts and makes mealtimes more interesting. Another option is to use a puzzle toy, such as a KONG, to provide your dog with a challenge and to promote calmness.

At absoluteDogs, we see your dog’s daily food allowance as an untapped pot of value. Why waste it by feeding your dog from a bowl and training with treats? Why not train with your dog’s food? Even if your dog isn’t very food-driven, there are games for that too! Learn more about ditching the bowl in the video from absoluteDogs TV.

In summary, ditching the bowl can provide your dog with many benefits, including improved digestion, reduced boredom, and increased mental stimulation. At absoluteDogs, we believe that ditching the bowl is a great way to improve your dog's quality of life and encourage it to engage in natural behaviours. So why not give it a try and see how your dog responds?