Does My Dog Need A Slow Feeder Bowl?

Posted Jun 9, 2021 in Tips

Does your dog rush themselves while eating? Do you worry that your dog will choke on their food because they inhale rather than chew? Your dog may benefit from a slow feeder bowl. 

These bowls are designed to do the impossible, slow down your dog’s eating.

Why Should My Dog Use A Slow Feeder?

Although speed eating isn’t a big concern, it can lead to choking, vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, and bloating (potentially fatal). 

Speed eaters often ingest air with their food. This can lead to anything from mild discomfort to fatality. Similar to humans, swallowing an excess of air can lead to excess gas and stomach aches in pups. However, dogs have the risk of bloat. Bloat in humans can lead to a temporary outfit inconvenience, while in dogs it can potentially be fatal.

Bloat (Gastric Dilation and Volvulus or GDV) is a fast-acting, life-threatening condition. This can occur when a dog’s stomach literally flips over, causing blockages to and from the stomach. Bloat results in distended stomach, breathing issues, compromised blood flow, stomach rupture, and other severe symptoms. Scientists aren’t exactly sure what causes bloat, but they know that excess air from eating is a common culprit/

How Does A Slow Feeder Bowl Work?

A slow feeder bowl is a feeding bowl designed with many separations and obstructions so that your dog has to use more effort, precision, and time to complete their meal. They are similar to a puzzle for your dog with a reward. Slow feeders come in a variety of shapes, designs, sizes, and materials.

What Are The Best Slow Feeders?

There are many slow feeders on the market. It’s important to keep in mind material, difficulty, ease of cleaning, sturdiness, and size when picking the perfect bowl for your pup. Below is a small list of slow feeder bowls that deserve four paws up.

• Outward Hound Fun Feeder Orange – Outward Hound Fun Feeders are very popular. They have vibrant colors which coordinate with different levels of difficulty. The spiral orange design is max difficulty.
• Ethical Pet Slow Feeder – This feeder is great for large and medium dogs because it has a non-skid bottom that keeps the bowl upright and in place.
• Outward Hound Fun Feeder Purple – This maze is slightly easier to solve than the orange. It’s great for dogs with moderately fast eating habits or those who aren’t keen with puzzles.
• Northmate Green Interactive Dog Feeder – If traditional slow feeders are no match for your dog, this feeder may be best. It’s grass-like design will spark your pups foraging instincts.

Can You DIY A Feeder?

Yes! This can be done with three materials: two different sized stainless steel bowls and silicone sealant. Use the sealant to secure the smaller bowl upside-down in the center of the larger bowl, and voila! Another version you can make is taking a muffin tin, adding some food in different sections and covering two or three sections with tennis balls. 

Promoting slow feeding can reduce the health risks for your dog. These tips and suggestions can transform your dog’s eating pace for the better.