Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl For Slowing Down Fast Eating
A lot of dogs chew and swallow food at an alarming rate and are able to finish an entire bowl within a few seconds. The fast-eating often causes undesirable effects causing bloating, choking as well as other health problems. The best slow feeder dog bowl prevents the dog from gulping too much food and prevents any issues related to overeating or fast eating.
These slow feeder bowls also come in handy for dogs with dental issues as they help improve the overall health of your dog’s mouth and teeth. We have gathered some information to help you find your perfect slow feeder bowl for your dog. In the article, you will find some of the best slow-feeder dog bowls as well as a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision.
What Is A Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?
A slow feeder bowl is designed to help dogs reduce their feeding speeds, allowing them to feel more content, energized, and fuller. So, if your canine friend chews food at an alarming rate, the best slow feeder dog bowl will come in handy.
Dogs need to properly chew every bite of food, just like humans. This helps improve their digestive system and also comes in handy to minimize the risks of bloating. Furthermore, eating food slowly will provide adequate mental exercise and help stimulate your dog’s brain, and the results would be a happy and healthy dog.
Is A Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Good For Dogs?
If your dog simply gulps food and doesn’t chew it properly, the chances are that the dog may end up swallowing a huge amount of air, causing gastrointestinal discomfort. This may cause lots of pain and make the dog feel less satiated, which increases the desire for more food.
As a result, slow feeder dog bowls are designed to minimize the risk of fast gulping down of food, hence, alleviating the issues related to fast eating. The barriers and ridges of a slow feeder bowl will reduce the surface area, preventing them from eating too fast.
With that being said, here is a review of the five best slow-feeder dog bowls in the market today.
1) Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl
The Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl delivers a professional and intricate design that works well in slowing down fast-eating dogs. It offers multiple sizes that you can choose to match your dog’s needs. The larger type of this bowl can; hold up to four cups of dry dog food.
This sturdy bowl claims the ability to make your dog eat ten times slower. True to their word, many satisfied users have confirmed that they significantly slow down their eating. However, there are smarter dogs that will easily master the design and pattern, and they will revert back to fast eating.
While there is not much to do, be sure not to overexpose the bowl to the dog. With a ridged bowl, food may sometimes get stuck in the bowl, so ensure to empty and clean it properly before the next use. This bowl can be used in the dishwasher, which makes it very easy to clean.
Pros
- Dishwasher friendly
- Non-slip and stable base
- Multiple bright colors
- Significantly slows down the dogs eating
- Durable construction
- Food grade materials for safety
Cons
- Food ma;y get stuck in the corners
2) UPSKY Slow Feeder Dog Bowl No Choking Slow Feeder
As one of the most affordable slow feeder dog bowls, the UPSKY Slow Feeder Dog Bowl comes in three different colors to match different needs. You can also choose either a single pack or a dual pack, depending on your needs. Users of this bowl vouch for it when it comes to reducing the eating speed of dogs.
It features raised ridges that will evenly distribute dog food for proper chewing and to allow them to take a break after every bite. It is made from a PP resin that ensures the bowl is chemical-free, recyclable, food-safe, and durable. It features a semi-complex design that provides mind-stimulating activities and makes eating fun for your dog.
This bowl features the appropriate gap and height to provide access to the food while still adding the restricting element. The slow feeder dog bowl is also very easy to clean and can hold up to two cups of wet or dry food. It is an ideal option for small and medium-sized babies and is said to increase the feeding time from five minutes to 20 minutes to prevent choking and other related health issues.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Budget-friendly
- Durable
- Anti-base slip
- Recyclable
- Comes in three different colors
- Great for small and medium-sized dogs
Cons
- Not suitable for large dogs
3) NEATER PET BRANDS Slow Feed Bowl Stainless Steel
If your dog uses an elevator feeder, the NEATER PET BRANDS Slow Feed Bowl is designed to work best with these systems to slow down the eating. This bowl comes in two sizes, with this option, one being the larger one with a capacity of up to four cups of dog food. This capacity is enough, especially if you have a larger dog breed.
It features a raised centerpiece that helps slow down your dog while eating. Additionally, this raised centerpiece prevents overeating which in turn reduces the chances of your dog vomiting once they have eaten.
The bowl is made from a robust stainless steel material that is very durable and dishwasher safe. This makes it one of the reliable slow-feeder dog bowls that you can; find in the market today.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe material
- Great value for money
- Encourages slow feeding
- Great capacity
- Durable construction
Cons
- The customer service is not the best
4) Super Design Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl Slow Feeder
Looking for a bowl with a wide range of colors to choose from? The Super Design Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl Slow Feeder provides so many color options that you won’t find anywhere else. It features an intricate puzzle design that helps slow down the fast dog eaters.
Furthermore, the convoluted style prevents choking, vomiting, and bloating because it allows them to digest the food properly. You get four different portion sizes to choose from depending on your dog’s size and needs. It is made from food-grade melamine as well as PVC and BPA-free plastic that ensures the bowl is safe for use.
The material is also dishwasher friendly, corrosion-resistant, and built to withstand long-lasting use. It is heavyweight and has a rubberized base that ensures the feeder won’t easily be knocked down, therefore preventing splashes and spills.
Pros
- Durable and heavy construction
- Attractive interiors
- Anti-slip base
- Chemical-free and safe for use
- A great color collection to choose from
- An excellent option for medium and large dogs
Cons
- Not suitable for small dogs
5) JASGOOD Slow Dog Bowl for Large Dogs
JASGOOD Slow Dog Bowl for Large Dogs features a very attractive dog bowl that encourages your dog to reduce the pace during feeding. It comes in a broad range of bright colors which means you can always find a color that matches your decor.
This slow feeder dog bowl is not only effective but is also one of the most affordable options in the market. This makes it an effective and perfect option for people who are in search of an affordable bowl without compromising the quality. It is made from heavy-duty plastic that is BPA and phthalate-free, which means the bowl is safe for use.
It can accommodate up to three cups of dry food, making it a great option for medium and small-sized dogs. Furthermore, this bowl is designed to also house wet food and raw food. The design comes in handy to help the dog eat slower and digest it more properly, avoiding health issues.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe slower feeder dog bowl
- Works with both wet and dry food
- Discourages fast eating
- Great capacity for medium dogs
- A broad range of colors
Cons
- Not suitable for very small dogs
What Do You Consider Before Purchasing the Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?
1) Material
Slow feeder bowls come in a wide range of materials ranging from silicone, ceramic, stainless steel, and plastic. While most of these materials are eco-friendly and non-toxic, when it comes to buying a slow feeder dog bowl with plastic ones, consider BPA-free bowls that are food safe.
Stainless steel is also one of the most popular materials used in slow feeder dog bowls because of its safe composition and durability. This material also comes in handy for those dogs that will eat any kind of surface including silicone and plastic.
However, make sure that your stainless steel bowl is of high quality and non-porous to prevent bacteria growth. When it comes to these bowls, the ceramic material is least recommended because they may easily break when dropped or chip off your dog’s teeth.
2) Capacity
Slow feeder bowls come in multiple sizes, and you want to choose the capacity that works well for your dog. Ideally, larger dogs require bigger bowls, while smaller dogs can take using smaller bowls.
The size of the bowl determines the capacity. Remember, if you give your dogs large bowls of food, they may end up overeating or wasting the food. However, large dogs like Labrador may not feel full in food from a small bowl because of limited portion size.
3) Design
Dog feeder bowls will come with different designs to limit the amount of food being consumed by the dog. Note that the more complex the design of the feeder is, the easier it will be to prevent the puppy from gulping the meal and the slower the puppy will eat.
When choosing the design, it is also crucial to consider the dog’s breed. A dog with a flat and short snout may find it challenging to get the food out of the nooks of the bowl. If the dog finds it hard to eat food from the bowl, chances are, they may skip the meal and stay hungry.
In terms of the design, it is also important to ensure the best slow feeder dog bowl comes with an anti-slip base. Normally, dogs tend to play with their food which can easily knock down the food. As a result, a bowl with an anti-slip base will help reduce the chances of accidents happening and promote better eating habits. It also ensures no spillages and less mess after your dog finishes eating.
4) Cleaning
Most often than not, slow feeder bowls come with intricate patterns and designs that may make cleaning a bit difficult. In addition, food may get stuck in the corners of the bowl, making it prone to algae and mold, which could quickly turn a safe dog feeder bowl into a toxic one.
To make it easier to clean the bowls, you want to ensure you get one that is dishwasher safe. You can also use dish soap then soak it in water after some time to reduce the hassle of scrubbing the bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Slow Feeding Bowls
1) How will I know if my dog eats food too fast?
A dog that eats very fast will simply gulp down the food as soon as you place it in front of them. The dogs will overstuff their mouth and not properly chew the food. They will only eat fast without taking a break with each bite.
2) Are Slow Feeder Bowls bad for dogs?
Although not all, some slow feeder bowls may come with some risks that could potentially affect the dog’s health. For instance, if your dog is enthusiastic while eating, chances are, the bowl may damage their teeth. Some dogs tend to become frustrated and bite the bowl. If the bowl is made from a ceramic material, there is a possibility of teeth damage.
3) Do slow feeder bowls help with food aggression?
Yes, a slow feeder bowl has been proven to help with food aggression in dogs. The purpose of this method is to limit the food intake and ensure they eat slowly, which means they get fuller faster.