Dog bowls to slow down eating 7 of the best - Practical Paw

Just like us, dogs get enjoyment from food. However, just like us, they vary in the speed at which they eat. As dogs don’t chew in the same way that we do, the speed at which they finish their food is not usually an issue, but could they be getting a greater benefit from mealtimes if they slow down?

You may be wondering why bother? Your dog eats, their appetite is good, and you never hear any complaints. But there are advantages of getting your dog to eat slower. So what are the best dog bowls to slow down eating and why should you invest in one?

3 reasons to get a slow feed dog bowl

For some dogs, mealtimes seem to be a competition of how quickly they can wolf down their food. There can be several reasons why a dog is eating too fast:

Competitiveness with litter mates that later becomes a pattern
Concern that it isn’t safe to linger over food, sometimes a consequence of a busy house
Underlying medical conditions
Poor quality food that isn’t satisfying

Teaching your dog to use a slow feed dog bowl can help change their eating habits for the better and make them happier.

Eating is a pleasure.

Most domestic dogs have little to do each day. The daily walk and meal times are usually the highlights of their day. Although most of us recognize the benefit that our dogs get from daily exercise, few of us really appreciate the pleasure or mental stimulation that dog food can provide.

Giving your dog their food in a standard bowl not only reduces the amount of time they take to eat it but also ignores the mental workout it can provide too. Offering your dog a chance to actively think about their meal and slow down your dog’s mealtime benefits both your dog’s mind and body.

Obesity

Dog obesity is on the rise. In fact, it’s the most common health issue in our dogs. You may wonder what that has to do with eating fast, but it really does matter.

Slower eaters (both human and canine) experience more satiety when they eat. This means that your dog is less likely to beg if they feel full, keeping you from succumbing to those big puppy dog eyes and overfeeding. Not only are you extending the pleasure they get from their food by using a slow feed dog bowl, but you are also ensuring a healthy eating habit while managing their weight.

Health

Dogs that eat too fast are much more likely to experience both minor and major health issues such as;

Choking
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Wind
Bloat

And just like us, dogs that eat quickly may not feel full until much later and present with an increased desire for food that could be tempting to indulge. Of all the possible health issues bloat, is, without doubt, the most worrying. Although the others can be unpleasant for both you and your dog, bloat is life-threatening.

What is Bloat?

The proper name for Bloat is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), but if it’s OK with you, I’ll stick to calling it bloat!

Our dogs’ stomachs are very similar to our own as they look a little like a balloon. If we eat too quickly, we can suffer from bloating and gas. It’s quite common for this bloating to be accompanied by an uncomfortable feeling in our stomachs. We tend to recover quickly though even after a large meal, and often find relief by passing wind. Our dogs, however, are not so lucky, and what may start as gas can quickly develop into something much more serious.

When a dog eats too quickly or too much, the resulting gas inflates the stomach and stretches it blowing it up like a balloon. As the stomach continues to stretch, it blocks blood circulation to the heart and the stomach, leading to tissue damage.

In many cases, the stomach also twists at both the top and bottom, blocking the stomach from the esophagus and shutting off the pyloric valve, which prevents the gas from escaping the stomach. Bloat can be fatal exceptionally fast, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms of bloat and act quickly by taking your dog to a veterinarian.

Symptoms of bloat

How do you know that your dog is suffering from bloat? Look out for the following symptoms, and if in doubt, go to your vet;

Odd behavior
Enlarged stomach
Hard, taught stomach (like a drum)
Lack of normal stomach sounds
Hunched posture or inability to lay down on their sides
Dry heaving
Anxiety and pacing

Slow feed dog bowls -Things to keep in mind

Slow-feeder dog bowls typically have ridges, bumps, or barriers that break up the bowl’s surface. The food collects around the obstacles and gives your dog a more interesting eating experience whilst slowing the rate at which they eat. However, there are some things to consider if introducing this type of feeder to your dog:

If your dog is a chewer, they may over interested in the nodules and ridges and chew them.
If it’s too difficult for your dog to get to the food, they may get frustrated and give up.
Your dog may decide to flip the bowl over if it’s too difficult.
The bowls are more difficult to clean.

The best dog bowls to slow down eating

There are many slow or anti gulp dog bowls on the market, so we have rounded up the best. Here’s a snapshot of the 7 top contenders, but if you want to know a bit more about each, then read on;

We’ve looked at different sizes, shapes, colors, and materials, so here’s the lowdown on each of our choices! If you want a quick pick of the best slow feeder, we like the Snuffle mat but for more detailed reviews, see below;

Green slow feeder
REVOLUTIONARY way to turn a dog's meal into a challenging, time-consuming game
AESTHETICALLY PLEASING feeder is made to emulate a tuft of grass, but maintains the appearance of a contemporary piece of art
SIMPLE DESIGN allows owner to easily sprinkle the desired amount of food across the GREEN

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The green slow feeder by The Company of Animals is designed to mimic grass. Scatter wet, dry, or Barf (raw) food between the blades, and the Green slow feed dog bowl will keep your dog mentally stimulated whilst eating, with more time to enjoy the taste of the food. Its got anti-slip feet and is dishwasher safe, and what’s more, it is available in two sizes, making it suitable for small, medium, and large dogs.

Pros

Simple design
Dishwasher safe
Two sizes available

Cons

The ‘grass’ is very long, so it may prevent dogs with short noses from gaining access.
Very mobile despite having rubber, non-slip feet
Large item if there’s limited space in your kitchen

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JASGOOD slow feed dog bowl
★Warm tip:This is NOT a CAT bowl !★This dog bowl is made of food-safe,high-strength PP materials,and is BPA,Phthalate free.The product is 100% recyclable.
Size--Bowl Diameter 9.7Inch.Bowl High 1.5Inch.This is also a great Diet Bowl.The unique design makes any amount of food go further and so the dog feels full on a smaller amount of food. Suitable for...
Features: Source of the design of nature, imitating the wild dogs foraging process environment, every meal will turn into a dog healthy and happy games.

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This JASGOOD anti gulping dog bowl is a more traditional shape and has the benefit of being able to be used for wet or dry dog food or even water. The center of the slow feeder bowl can be filled with different food offering your dog more interest at mealtimes.

The slow feeder is made from heavy-duty plastic that is BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free. It’s dishwasher safe and holds up to 3 cups of dog food. It’s the best slow feeder for large dogs that we’ve found.

Pros

Suitable for food and water, so great travel bowl
Three size options
Food stays in the dish, preventing mess

Cons

Lightweight so moves around easily
Difficult to use for short nose dogs

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Outwood Hound fun feeder
SLOWS DOWN EATING UP TO 10X: Outward Hound uniquely designed Fun Feeder dog bowls feature meal-lengthening ridges to help slow down your dog’s eating time by 10X!
AIDS IN PROPER DIGESTION: Common issues that arise in fasting eating dogs include bloating, regurgitation and canine obesity. Our Fun Feeder Slo Bowls both challenge and engage your dog during...
MADE WITH NON-SLIP BASE AND FOOD SAFE MATERIALS: Outward Hound's Fun Feeder Slo Bowl, slow feeder dog bowls are made to hold in both fun and food as your dog forages through the fun patterns with its...

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This puzzle feeder from Outward hound features an interesting design that lengthens feeding time and prevents a dog from eating too fast. Dry dog food and wet dog food can be used in this anti gulping dog feeder.

The bowl is made from plastic and is BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free, and comes complete with a non-slid bottom to keep it firmly in place as your dog eats.

The meal-lengthening ridges and mazes keep your dogs interested as they eat, and what’s more, there are 7 dog bowl designs to choose from. Despite its complex structure, it’s easy to clean as it’s top-rack dishwasher safe.

Pros

High-quality, food-safe ABS plastic
Good for short nose dogs
The bowl features anti-slip rubber feet.
Colour and size choice

Cons

Large bowl if limited space
The bowl comes in a complicated design, so food gets stuck
Difficult to clean if you don’t have a dishwasher

Wangstar slow feed bowl
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This slow-feed dog bowl from Wangstar features a unique flower design that encourages slow feeding while keeping things simple.

Made from heavy-duty food-grade plastic with a non-skid bottom, this slow feed bowl is heavy enough to stay stationary when a dog eats. It’s available in 2 sizes and 4 colors and will easily take 2 cups of food.

Pros

Sturdy
Non-slip base
Dishwasher safe
Suitable for dry and wet food

Cons

More suitable for smaller dogs
Not great for short nose dogs

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PaWow slow feeder
【Eco-Friendly Material】:Pawow Slow feeder bowl made of high-quality 100% food-grade silicone material,non-toxic,harmless,durable,recyclable,BPA-free,Environmental protection.Other feeder bowls...
【Innovative Design】:Dog slow feeding bowls bottom suction cup design effectively keeps bowls from moving or tipping on the floor;split-format storage design allows you to add different types of...
【Health Benefits】:The feeder slo-bowls prevent indigestion and obesity caused by eating too fast,Preventing Choking Healthy Design Bowl for Dog cat Pet,adjust pet weight,multiple ridges and...

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We love these eco-friendly honeycomb slow feeder bowls. Novice dogs might find it too tough or frustrating, but it’s perfect for slowing down enthusiastic gulpers. The bowl is made from food-grade silicone rather than plastic, and the bottom of the bowl features a suction cup that holds it firmly in place and stops a dog from tipping it over.

It’s an ideal slow feed dog bowl for short-nosed dogs who would normally struggle with harder materials and is great at helping your dog eat more slowly.

Pros

Wet and dried food are suitable
Perfect for introducing novel foods
Sturdy
The perfect introduction to slow feeding

Cons

It takes up a lot of space
Too challenging for inexperienced dogs
Made from silicone so is tempting to chew for some dogs

Neater Pets stainless steel slow feeder
Fits Inside the Neater Feeder Deluxe Medium & Other Elevated Feeder — Fits feeders with hole opening between 5.75" - 6.25”. Does NOT fit inside of any other size Neater Feeder Deluxe or Express...
Capacity and Dimensions — Holds up to 1 cup of food when filled to the top of the middle of the bowl (without covering the paw print). Bowl measures 6.5" Diameter across the top and 2" High. Perfect...
Slows Down Rapid Eaters — Eating too quickly can lead to indigestion, vomiting, bloat, and overeating. Using a slow feed bowl helps prevent your dog from the dreaded “scarf and barf.”

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This stainless steel slow feeder dog bowl looks simple, but it’s nevertheless effective. With a single raised nodule, it allows you to feed dry or wet dog food. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe and comes in two sizes allowing for either one of four cups of dog food. Its a perfect food bowl for small dogs or dogs that like to chew as it’s heavy-duty stainless steel/

Pros

Simple, perfect if your dog is trying a slow feeder for the first time
Easy to clean
Stainless steel – unlikely to be chewed

Cons

Too simple for some dogs, so they still eat fast
It gets scratched and stained over time

Snuffle Mat
ENGAGE YOUR DOG’S SENSE OF SMELL - Our dog snuffle blanket puts your dog’s nose and brain to work by mimicking the hunt for food in nature, encourages natural foraging skills.
EASY TO USE DESIGN SLOW FEEDING MAT - Easy to fill, you can mix kibble and hide a few treats to spark dog's interest. Challenge through dog training mats, avoid your dog's bored and engage in...
EASY TO CLEAN AND CARRY - Machine washable pet snuffle mat made of polar fleece and upcycled materials, eco-friendly and durable construction. Roll up for storage and carrying.

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OK, not strictly a slow feed dog bowl, but we had to include it. The Snuffle mat has many fleecy folds for food to hide in and for your dog to seek it out. It’s perfect for puppies, short-nosed dogs, or convalescing dogs as there are no sharp edges.

While it’s not suitable for wet food, it’s fantastic for dry food and for getting a dog to eat slower. Each of the elements of this interactive puzzle feeder challenges your dog differently, not only slowing your dog’s eating but also providing mental stimulation too.

It’s the best slow feeder for puppies as it’s so soft. It’s machine washable, making it hygienic, and the back is anti-slip, keeping it in place as your dog eats.

Pros

Portable
Suitable for all dogs, including puppies
Washable

Cons

Only suitable for dry food
Frequent washing required
Can be messy- Dogs may chew or throw the mat around