Does your dog eat entirely too quickly? It’s a common problem that might seem harmless, however, eating too quickly can be one of the causes of Canine Bloat, a stomach problem that can have extremely serious consequences. Quick eating is easy to fix if you use the right slow feeders to help you along. They’re specifically designed to slow the pace that your dog eats, by making it harder for your dog to access all their food in one mouthful, and we’ve compiled a list of our favorite ones on the market.
In This Article You Will Read About
Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Reviews
We’re going to take a look at the top slow feeders so you can make a choice about what’s the best for you and your dog.
1. Outward Hound Fun Feeder
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This dog feeder is actually designed in a sort of optical illusion design with a swirl all the way through. This ensures your dog can’t eat too quickly because they can’t get a large mouthful of the food. It comes in several different sizes and has a non-slip base to keep it firmly where you want. Not only that but you can use it with dry food, wet food, or even raw food and then clean it right in the dishwasher so it’s ready to go again next time.
Pros
- BPA, PVC, phthalate free to protect your dog’s health
- Slows eating time by approximately 10x
- Non-slip base to keep the bowl in place
Cons
- Some other models are not as efficient at slowing down eating than others
- Not good for dogs with larger snouts or no snout
2. JASGOOD Slow Dog Bowl
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If your dog eats too much, too quickly this bowl can help. It’s designed to make it a little harder for them to get large bites of food, forcing them to take small bites, chew up their food, and then go in for the next. It’s made with durable materials to make sure it lasts and it’s recyclable when your dog is done with it. Not only that but it offers space for food and drink, holds up to 3 cups of food, and can be cleaned in your dishwasher.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe for easier cleaning
- Recyclable when you’re ready for a new bowl
Cons
- Can be difficult to clean by hand
- Non-slip bottom could be better
3. Super Design Pet Bowl
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This bowl comes in several different sizes and colors to make sure you’re getting something that will work for your dog. Choose from dishes that are ½ cup all the way up to 4 cups for the ideal feed amount. It is made with melamine, scratch resistant, and dishwasher safe. It’s also heavy so you don’t have to worry about your dog tipping it over trying to get the food out. Not to mention there’s non-skid feet on the bottom to keep it from sliding while your dog eats.
Pros
- Holds dry or canned foods
- Multiple sizes available for ideal feeding
- Can be used for dogs or cats
Cons
- Difficult to get to the bottom of the dish for some pets
- Doesn’t slow as much as other bowls
4. Dogtit Dog Bowl Slow Feeder
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Choose from different colors and different sizes with this bowl that’s designed to slow down your pet. It can be used for food or for water to decrease vomiting and bloating. Not only that but it’s able to hold plenty of food for your dog and can be put in the dishwasher. You can also use it for either wet or dry foods. They are durable and stick right where you put them with the non-slip bottom to hold them in place.
Pros
- Available in different sizes for ideal feeding
- Durable enough to stand up to more rambunctious dogs
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Cons
- Difficult to clean by hand if needed
- Doesn’t slow your dog down as much as other bowls out there
5. Petduro Slow Feeder
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This heavy-duty plastic feeder features a non-slip bottom to keep it from moving even when your dog gets a little anxious. It has intricate patterns and grooves, and works well in slowing your dog down. One size only that’s designed for big dogs, with a maximum capacity of 14oz. Add in the fact that it’s more durable than standard plastic options, and you’re definitely going to have a quality product to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Pros
- Heavy-duty and durable
- Rubber feet stop it from sliding
Cons
- A bit shallow
- Can shatter when dropped due to rigid plast
Slow Feeders Buying Guide
Keeping your dog from eating too much, too quickly can be difficult and in the worst case scenarios can have serious implications for your dog’s health, but a slow feeder can definitely help if you get the right kind, and look at these important features.
Food Capacity
Pay attention to just how much food your dog eats in a day and then how much food the dish actually holds. You want something that will hold enough for a full meal (or multiple meals) so you don’t have to refill it multiple times.
You also want to make sure that it’s not too small, as this could actually counter the slow feed aspect. If the food is piled over the top of the bowl it could reduce the effectiveness. On the other hand, if the bowl is too large it may be difficult for your dog to get their head into it to get the food out, no matter how long they take.
Consider the depth of the bowl when considering capacity as well. Bowls that are deeper are going to be harder for smaller dogs or those who have short snouts. On the other hand, wider bowls could be too easy for dogs that are bigger or those that have longer snouts. It’s important to pay attention to how your dog eats to choose the right style of bowl.
Slow Feed Styles
There are several different styles of bowls to look at when it comes to slow feeders. Some have a single large piece in the middle so the dog eats around the outside. Others might have different types of patterns throughout the middle to make it harder for the dog to get their food quickly.
The more intricate the pattern the harder it will be for your dog to get the food out. This is going to slow them down even more, especially if they have a larger snout or happen to be a larger dog in general. You want something that is going to give them a harder time eating, but not be too difficult.
If you slow your dog down too much with feeding they may decide not to eat, which could cause additional health problems. If they don’t eat enough they’re going to lose weight and that’s another problem you want to avoid.
Make sure you evaluate whether the bowl you’re using is slowing them down the amount they need or more than they need to be sure you can keep them healthy and happy. And maybe they’ll even have a little bit of fun with these slow feeders as well.
Construction Material
Different types of these feeders are available, so make sure you pay attention to what you’re getting. Some are actually mats that fit inside of your current dog bowl. Others are full bowls that are made with plastics, including melamine, or stainless steel.
Stainless steel is generally the best option if you can get bowls made this way because it is rust resistant and odor resistant. This means you can use it for as long as you want and you’ll be able to keep it clean and safe for your dog. Plus, it’s easier to clean because it can be wiped out or put right in the dishwasher (in most cases).
On the other hand, plastic may absorb odors and while it won’t rust it could stain depending on the food that you use. It may also start to grow different types of bacteria and will require even more frequent cleaning. Make sure that you consider this when purchasing.
On the other hand, plastic can be inexpensive and heavier plastics are generally durable enough as well. If you keep them clean they can still last a long time and provide a good surface. Not to mention these are more common and generally have more options when it comes to the style of the obstacles for your dogs dish.
Slow Feeders FAQ
What about if you have a few questions about slow feeders? You’re not alone. There are plenty of others that have questions too and we can help.
Why Should I Get a Slow Feeder?
If your dog tends to inhale their food you may want to get a slow feeder to reduce this. While it may not seem like a big deal for your dog to eat quickly, it can actually cause health problems for your dog that you definitely want to avoid – particularly dog bloat.
For one thing, your dog could eat too much food if they’re eating too quickly and that could cause them to become overweight. On top of that, they could get indigestion from eating too quickly and that can cause bloat and vomiting.
By getting a slow feeder you can make your dog slow down a little more, chew their food, and otherwise improve their eating habits. And all of that is going to make it easier for you to keep your dog healthy in the long run.
How Do I Slow My Dog Down a Lot While Eating?
The more intricate the pattern of your slow feeder the slower your dog is going to eat. That’s because they have to get in and around all of the little pieces and obstacles in order to get small amounts of food. So, think about just how slow you want them to eat.
If you get a dish that has only a single obstacle in the middle it may slow them down somewhat but it won’t slow them down extensively, especially if they have a longer snout. On the other hand, if you get something that has a lot of small pieces, curves, or angles your dog is going to have a harder time getting into the edges.
Pay attention to how long it takes your dog to eat their food and then you may need a little trial and error with different bowls to see which one slows them down the optimum amount. Keep in mind that if you slow them down too much they may get bored of eating or give up and not eat as much as they need.
Why is My Dog Eating so Fast?
There could be a number of different reasons for this but the main reason is that they can. If they feel like they need to fight to get the food they need they might eat quickly so that the food isn’t taken away. This could be because of an abusive start or simply because they’ve been around other dogs frequently and feel those dogs might eat all the food if they don’t.
Also, your dog could have a health condition that causes them to feel extremely hungry or they might not be getting the nutrients they need from their food. In these cases they might indeed feel like they’re starving and that causes them to attack their food as if they were.
If you notice your dog attacking their food and eating quickly you may want to talk with their vet first to rule out any health causes. Then look into slow food bowls that will help ease them down and get them eating at a much safer and healthier speed.
Find the Slow Feeders That Are Right for You
Finding the right slow feeder doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. All you have to do is take a look at the different options we have here as well as some of the important features to watch out for if you decide to take a look for yourself and get a completely different feeder.
