If your canine companion eats too fast, it might be time to consider purchasing a slow feed bowl for dogs, which encourages your pet to eat at a much slower pace.
When a dog eats too fast, it faces an increased risk of choking, vomiting, or even worse, bloat (technically known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, or GDV), which can lead to stomach flipping – a dangerous and sometimes deadly condition if left untreated.
In addition to reducing common risk factors of eating too fast, slow feed bowls for dogs make mealtime fun and give them valuable mental stimulation.
In this article, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of dog slow feed bowls, look at some great product options, and reveal the top picks for dog bowls for slow eating.
Slow Feed Bowls for Dogs Pros and Cons
Slow feed bowls for dogs have grown in popularity over the last few years for good reason! They offer numerous benefits for your dog and reduce stress for you.
With only a few cons related to slow feed bowls for dogs, they are worth considering for your pet!
And in my opinion, the pros far outweigh the cons.
Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Pros
Generally speaking, dog slow feed bowls slow your dog’s rate of consumption, which drastically reduces serious risks detailed below.
- Slows them down
- Obviously, the big win with dog slow feed bowls is that it slows down their eating, which reduces the following health risks.
- Lowers risk of choking
- When a dog eats too fast, they usually aren’t chewing their food enough, or they’re breathing so hard that they inhale bits of dog food. This is a major choking hazard we all want our pups to avoid.
- Reduces flatulence
- Let’s face it – no one wants to hear or smell their dog’s gas. By reducing the speed at which they eat their meals, their flatulence is also reduced. That’s a win-win if you ask me!
- Minimizes risk for bloat and flipped stomachs
- The Veterinary Medical Center of Central New York estimates that up to 60,000 dogs are diagnosed with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV, or bloat) each year. Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and subsequently twists.
- Unfortunately, there have been cases reported in nearly all dog breeds, but the condition is seen most in large dogs with barrel chests.
- Risk factors that are thought to contribute to bloat include:
- Eating too quickly
- Eating too much
- Eating only one meal per day (instead of two or three smaller meals)
- Drinking a large amount of water in a short period of time
- Elevated food bowls
- High stress
- Exercising right after eating
- Genetics
- Increased age
- Great for a variety of foods
- Mental stimulation
Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Cons
There are a few cons you should also be aware of when it comes to dog slow feed bowls.
- May irritate dog noses
- Certain bowl materials may hurt dog teeth
- More difficult to hand wash (but most are dishwasher safe)
- Somewhat pricier than standard dog food bowls
There are so many benefits of slow feeder dog bowls, right? More than the cons!
Make sure you purchase a bowl that is big enough so that the dog food stays inside the bowl. If food mounds up over the wedges and shapes, it defeats the point of a slow feed bowl as pets can still eat quickly.
The Different Kinds of Dog Slow Feed Bowls
Dog slow feed bowls are available in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and materials.
In my opinion, the more “puzzle pieces” (aka prongs, shapes, patterns, and mazes) in the bowl the more it helps to slow your dog’s eating.
Here are some of the slow feeder dog bowl material and style options available:
- Stainless Steel – You won’t find colorful options of stainless steel bowls like you would plastic or ceramic. But they are easy to clean and very durable.
- Ceramic – These feeders are made with bacteria-resistant ceramic, and they are heavier than plastic slow feed bowls, making them more difficult to tip over. Ceramic bowls are easier to chip or break if dropped or knocked on a counter, and this material can also hurt dogs’ teeth.
- Melamine & Plastic – Plastic is the most common material for dog slow feed bowls, and they come in plenty of fun colors and shapes and offer deep patterns to slow down a dog’s eating pace. Melamine bowls (like this one) offer a harder plastic, making them harder to crack.
- Silicone – Many slow feeder dog bowls have silicone grips on the bottom to keep the bowl from sliding, but some product options are made entirely of silicone. They are easy to clean and naturally non-skid.
- Elevated – Though several options for elevated slow feeder dog bowls (like this one) are available, we did not include this kind in our top 8 list due to the fact that elevated dog bowls cause an increased risk for bloat in dogs.
- Slow Feed and Water Bowl Combo – This is exactly how it sounds – a double dog feeder with one side for water and the other side for eating that has a slow feed feature.
- Inserts for Standard Dog Food Bowls – These inserts fit into regular dog food bowls. They’re a great option if you want to keep using a bowl you already have but want to make it a slow feed bowl instead.
8 Best Slow Feed Bowls for Dogs
The seven dog slow feed bowls I’ve reviewed and linked here are based on factors such as features, cost, and overall reviews.
I’ve summarized the list of best slow feed dog bowls here, but you can click on each to read more about each product.
- Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl (best plastic option)
- LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl (best ceramic option)
- ALLYGOODS Silicone Slow Feeder Dog Bowls (best silicone option)
- Outward Hound Stainless Steel Fun Feeder Slo Bowl (best stainless steel option)
- Palifel Slow Feeder Dog Bowls Insert (best insert option)
- Frisco Bone Shaped Ridges Slow Feed Bowl (best budget option)
- Neater Pets Slow Feed Double Dog Food & Water Bowl (best slow feed/water combo option)
- Custom Bone Slow Feeder Dog Bowl (best custom option)
You really can’t go wrong with any of these slow feeders. Personally, I’m very grateful for slow feed bowls as they’ve significantly helped my own dogs.
Now for the detailed overview of each product!
Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl (best plastic option)
This dog slow feed bowl is, by far, one of the most popular options out there for pet parents, and it’s easy to see why. There are plenty of bowl shapes, sizes, colors, and slow feed patterns.
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Almost 100,000 reviews for a total rating of 4.5 stars | Some reviews state that the stick-on non-skid pieces on some of the bowls easily come off |
| Wide variety of colors and sizes | |
| Dishwasher Safe | |
| Non-skid pieces on base | |
| BPA, PVC, and phthalate free |
LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl (best ceramic option)
This is a nice alternative to plastic bowls. This ceramic dog slow feed bowl is sturdy, heavy, and includes silicone stoppers to keep the bowl from sliding. Gorgeous color options are available with this bowl too!
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| 1,000+ reviews with a total rating of 4.5 | Can chip easily |
| Modern color selection | Might hurt your dog's teeth |
| Heavy and stable | |
| Chew-resistant | |
| Dishwasher safe |
ALLYGOODS Silicone Slow Feeder Dog Bowls (best silicone option)
This bowl is made of 100% food grade silicone. The material is easier on dogs’ snouts and teeth. The silicone is naturally non-skid but also includes a suction cup on the bottom for even more floor grip.
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Soft material for dog snouts | Easily chewable by a dog (do not leave your pet unattended with this bowl) |
| Food grade silicone materials | |
| Naturally skid-free material | |
| Dishwasher safe |
Outward Hound Stainless Steel Fun Feeder Slo Bowl (best stainless steel option)
Even though the slow feed part of this bowl is not built in, it’s still my favorite stainless steel slow feed bowl (stainless steel) option. The slow feed part is removable making it easier to clean, and you could remove it to use the bowl for your dog’s water if needed.
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Almost 100,000 positive reviews | No additional colors or sizes available |
| Made with non-slip base | |
| Crafted with food-safe materials | |
| Durable and easy to clean | |
| Dishwasher safe |
Palifel Slow Feeder Dog Bowls Insert (best insert option)
Slow feed inserts are great for when you already have a dog feed bowl your pup uses and you don’t want to purchase an entirely new one. I’m a fan of this insert because it’s silicone and easily adjusts to fit inside different size bowls.
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Easy to add to your dog's current bowl | Low review count (but mainly 5-stars) |
| Insert fits various standard dog bowl sizes | |
| Suction cups on insert base help it stay in place | |
| Dishwasher safe |
Frisco Bone Shaped Ridges Slow Feed Bowl (best budget option)
This is a no frills, low cost-option that gets the job done, while still having a couple color options to pick from and a non-skid base.
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| BPA free | No additional sizes are available |
| Low cost | |
| Dishwasher safe |
Frisco Silicone Slow Feeder Mat with Stainless Steel Bowl (best slow feed/water combo option)
There are several options on the market for slow feed and dog water bowl combo options, but this one gets the win because it’s not elevated and has a naturally non-skid base due to the silicone material.
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Water and food bowl combo | No additional sizes are available |
| Built-in nonskid mat | Not as portable |
| Raised edges to help keep messes off the floor | |
| Dishwasher safe |
Custom Bone Slow Feeder Dog Bowl (best custom option)
This custom dog slow feed bowl makes the perfect gift for new pups and pet parents. Its fun design is a great addition to any home!
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Dog name personalization | Not dishwasher safe (hand-wash only) |
| Multiple size, color, and shape options | |
| Includes anti-skid pads | |
| Rounded corners to avoid irritation to dog noses and tongues |
Why Our Dogs Use Slow Feeder Bowls
A couple of years ago our girl, Inka, was affected by bloat. She ate too much, too fast (this was before we used slow feed bowls), drank a bunch of water right after, and ended up with bloat.
She was in so much pain that she collapsed and couldn’t move. Thankfully her stomach never twisted, but it very easily could have happened at that point. She was ok after treatment and an overnight stay with the emergency vet.
Bloat and dog stomach flipping is such a scary situation for pet parents and their beloved dogs!
I was beside myself when Inka experienced it. But our household has introduced slow feed bowls for dogs and never looked back. It’s kind of like a puzzle for them trying to figure out where their remaining food is and how to get it out. It works their brain more than a standard dog food bowl.
Conclusion
Another popular low-cost option and alternative to slow feed bowls are snuffle mats for dogs. They serve the same purpose as slow feeder dog bowls but have a few more cons than slow feed bowls.
Dog slow feed bowls are a cost-effective option to make mealtime for your pup more enjoyable – and safer!
With numerous health benefits for your dog and so many variations of dog bowls for slow eating available, which will you choose for your pup? Tell me in the comments below!