For example, since a slow feeder bowl will encourage your dog to search out food, there's a good chance they'll push it around more than other types of bowls. “Since the design is more complex than a regular bowl and therefore harder to clean, look for something dishwasher safe,” says Lott.įeatures that are nice to have on other dog bowls can be more essential when it comes to a slow feeder bowl. Slow feeder bowls are harder to clean, so keep it simple for your own sake.
#Slow feeder free
If you opt for plastic, look for models free of BPAs and other hazardous materials. “Non-toxic plastic and silicone can work well, though if your dog is a serious chewer they run the risk of chewing off and ingesting plastic pieces.”
However, “ceramic dishes carry the risk of your dog chipping their teeth, and can break if dropped,” says Lott. They’re also both less prone to bacterial growth. “They are easy to clean and more durable than the plastic ones.” “Ceramic and stainless steel are my preferred materials,” says Robinson. Slow feeder bowls are available in a range of materials, including plastic, silicone, stainless steel, and ceramic-all materials that come with their own advantages and disadvantages.
The more intricate the pattern and the narrower the ridges, the harder it will be.” “Make sure the kibble can fit between the ridges and won’t just sit on top. “The more ridges, the more difficult to get the food, so it can vary dog by dog and by preference on how slow you want your dog to eat,” Robinson says. Dogs will long noses can get in deep grooves and ridges, but dogs with short noses-or flat faces, like pugs and bulldogs-may be unable. However, if the pattern is too simple, or the food nooks too open, it may not do enough to effectively slow down your dog's eating. “If it's too complex your dog may just decide not to eat,” says Lott. Think carefully about what you think your dog will be able to manage, based on their size and energy levels, since some slow feeder bowl patterns can be trickier than others. That makes it important that you measure out your dog's food needs before making your purchase, so you can be assured that the slow feeder bowl you choose won't be a major disruption to you and your dog's current feeding routines. "Make sure the size of the dish is appropriate for your dog’s size and will adequately hold the amount of food in their meals,” Lott told The Spruce Pets.īecause the entire point of a slow feeder bowl is to disrupt a volume of food, their capacity can be harder to eyeball than other dog dishes. What to Look for in a Slow Feeder Bowl Size However, if you’re looking for something that gives you more flexibility, you might want to opt for an insert like the OurPets Spiral Slow Feeder Insert ( view at Amazon), which can be attached to almost any bowl with a suction cup. It’s available in a variety of colors and patterns too. The Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl ( view at Chewy) is our overall best pick because it will suit most dog’s needs, holding enough food to provide them with a complete meal, while also featuring a challenging enough design to slow them down while they eat. Here are the ones we like, based on size, price, material, and effectiveness. If you’re looking for a slow feeder bowl, we’re here to help. “They can be used to provide enrichment for pets and to mentally stimulate them to work for their food,” says Robinson, and “they can be used for dogs who seem to be always hungry as it forces them to slow down, which will help to send signals to their brain that they are full.” But they also come with a few other advantages too. “ physically prevent pets from eating food too fast,” says Laura Robinson, veterinarian and advisor to the online pet clinic Pawp. If no medical condition is found, they might recommend a slow feeder bowl, which have obstructions to eating built into them, like bumps, lumps, soft spikes, or ridged patterns. If you notice vomiting after eating or gassiness, you should chat with a veterinarian to make sure there aren’t any medical conditions causing these symptoms. “Eating too quickly can also carry the risk of choking on food.” “Dogs who eat too quickly tend to swallow air, which can increase the risk of bloat in some large dogs,” says Denise Lott, veterinarian assistant at Hello Ralphie, a pet telehealth company. When dogs love food a little too much they sometimes eat too fast, which can lead to digestive issues like vomiting, gas, and overeating.
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