A slow feed dog bowl does precisely what the name implies: It gives your dog portions of food at a time so they can’t inhale their entire meal in one breath. There are many reasons why it’s a good idea for dog owners to invest in a slow feeder bowl, including digestion and your doggie’s penchant for stealing another pet’s food after finishing their own.
There are plenty of options on the market, from high-quality stainless steel bowls to brightly-colored lick mats. Some come in varying heights and different shapes. But which one is best for your dog?
We reviewed these slow feed dog bowls ourselves using the following criteria: how fast a dog ate out of the slow feeder bowl, durability, safety, ease of cleaning, assembly, and packaging.
Neater Raised Slow Feeder Bowl is accessible for large and small dogs. It boasts two elevations so that you can adjust to your dog’s height. The small pockets slow your dog’s eating down, but they can hold up to 6 cups of food, making them a good option for large dogs, too.
Dr. Diener says this clever bowl can hold up to 6 cups of food at a time, making it ideal for larger breeds who need bigger meals. She likes that it comes in different colors, giving pet parents options. Neater has made cleaning fuss-free — the bowl is dishwasher safe.
Dogit’s Dog Bowl Feeder is durable, affordable, and even travels well, making it a good choice for road-tripping pet parents. Dogit also scores some style points by offering many colors: Black, white, pink, and blue. It’s even offered in four different sizes so small, medium, and large dogs can use this bowl.
Dr. Diener loves recommending the Dogit Bowl because it’s effective, durable, and boasts a convenient anti-skid base. “This slow feeder bowl is of good quality and truly works to slow down pets that are fast eaters,” she says. She also points out that it’s dishwasher safe, and dogs of all sizes can use it, from small pooches to larger ones. The only drawback is that it’s only for pups — if you wanted to get one for a quick-eating kitty, you’d have to look elsewhere.
Paw 5’s Wooly Snuffle Mat is an engaging, sustainable, fuzzy feeder designed to play on your pup’s hunter instincts. It’s a fun bowl alternative. Hide their favorite bacon or peanut butter-flavored treats in the mat and let your doggie have as much fun finding it as they do eating it.
Dr. Diener loves how simple it is to clean the Paw 5 Wooly Snuffle Mat in the washing machine. People with rabbits and cats can also purchase one for them, so they don’t miss out on the foraging fun. But she doesn’t recommend it for powerful chewers. “They can shred the mat into pieces, which can lead to a gastrointestinal obstruction,” she says.
The Bone-Shaped Dog Licking Mats from HUSUKU work for both dogs and cats and are ideal for a wet meal or treat. The fun colors (green or yellow) are stylish, and the ability to “lick” the food up can help soothe anxiety.
Dr. Diener likes that dogs and cats can treat themselves off these versatile lick mats. But it’s not the best choice for larger dogs. “[The lick mat] holds a maximum of 2 cups, so it would not work well for large or giant breed dogs that need 3 to 4 cups or more per serving,” Dr. Diener says.
On paper, here’s a glance at how the products stack up against each other.
*Price on Amazon or Chewy at the time of our review
There were two popular slow feeders we didn’t get to test because they were out of stock at the time of our review.
Most dogs can eat from a slow feeder. They’re a great way to slow down feeds. Some double as puzzle feeders and boast unique or simple designs. They make feeding time fun by having your dog “hunt” or “chase” food.
Fast eaters may particularly benefit from a slow feed dog bowl. Eating too fast can cause a range of tummy issues, from uncomfortable-but-harmless flatulence to gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) or bloat. GDV can be fatal (Trusted Source) and occurs when a stomach expands, twists onto itself, and restricts blood flow to the heart. Slowing down a feed can help reduce the risks of these issues.
👉 Eating too fast can make a dog burp, have flatulence, or have other more concerning gastrointestinal issues, like bloat.
Slow feed bowls are designed to force your dog to slow down when they eat. Some are literal games; others have bumps and ridges inside them that separate food and make your dog work for their meal.
They help protect your dog’s digestive health — The most important benefit of eating slowly is that it helps reduce the load on your pooch’s digestive system and improve their overall health. Gastrointestinal problems in dogs are incredibly common, and they happen for a lot of different reasons. Using a slow feed bowl is a simple step you can take to help alleviate — or even prevent — those types of health conditions down the road.
They can help fix resource guarding — Slow feed bowls help to curb a carnal instinct called resource guarding, which is when insecure dogs protect their food by barking, biting, or staring. Slow feed bowls can help distract dogs and even fix the problem altogether. All dogs are different, but our team’s seen pretty good results. Consult your vet or behavioral specialist if your dog has this issue.
They help prevent stealing — If your dog loves to inhale their food and then go steal food from other pets, your entire crew will benefit from a slow feed bowl.
Here’s what pet parents should consider when deciding which slow feed bowl is right for their pup.
Think about size — Larger dogs need larger bowls. Raised feeders are super helpful for large and medium-sized breeds because they help reduce neck strain and the risk of bloat. (You can also put a regular bowl on a stand, of course.)
Think about the snout — Dogs with short snouts, like pugs and other brachycephalic breeds, can have a harder time fishing kibble out shallow bowls with lots of knobs.
Think about your dog’s habits — If your dog loves to shred things, invest in a rugged-built bowl. If your dog likes to move their bowl around or tip it over, get a bowl with a non-slip base, like Dogit’s slow feeder.
Gulping dogs swallow air along with their food. This can cause an upset stomach, gas, or vomiting. It even puts them at risk for a serious condition called canine bloat.
This bloating happens when a dog’s stomach is filled with air, causing the abdomen to twist. That can result in hypovolemic shock and even death.
Though bloating can happen to dogs of any breed and size, large or giant-sized breeds have a higher risk of canine bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Canine bloat is most common in purebred dogs, though mixed breeds can also suffer. These higher-risk breeds tend to have narrow, deep chests. Here are the dog breeds at high risk of canine bloat:
If your dog is obese, using a slow feed bowl can help them lose weight, as the portion control will make them feel full even as they eat slowly. Some dogs, particularly puppies, benefit from the workout needed to get their food.
It depends on what you and your pet are looking for in a slow feeder. Some are better for dry food. Others are great for wet food or treats. Our vet and editorial team felt the Neater Raised Slow Feeder and Dogit Dog Bowl Slow Feeder were the best slow feeder dog bowls for dry food. The Paw 5 Wooly Snuffle Mat was a great option for tiny treats, and the Bone-Shaped Licking Mat was a win for wet food, including peanut butter.
Generally, any dog can use a slow feeder. But they’re great for dogs who eat too fast, steal other pets’ food, and have issues with resource guarding.
Slow feeders can be great additions to a dog’s meal or treat time, as long as they contain safe, non-toxic materials a dog can’t bite off and swallow. You’ll want to consider your dog when choosing a slow feeder. Large dogs will need elevated bowls, while pups with short snouts, including pugs, find it challenging to get the kibble out of shallow bowls with several knobs.
Not ready to spring for a slow feed dog bowl? You can try some DIY methods. The American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests (Trusted Source) putting large toys, like tennis balls or dividing food in a muffin tin to help your pup pace themselves.
