Both our dogs, Ginger and Bear, seam to swallow their food whole. I wonder if they even taste the food!
Yes, just like you, my dog eats too fast. I’m not sure why, because they get fed two meals a day at the same time every day. PLUS they get treats all day long while training. So I know it’s not because they are hungry.
Some theories state that dogs, like wolves, feel the need to eat their food before other animals try to steal it.
Whatever the reason, I want them to slow down so they don’t choke on the kibble. And eating too fast can lead to bloat, which can be deadly.
TIP: Below the list of my favorite slow feed products, I have listed 4 unique tips and tricks for a dog that eats too fast that you can do without anything special.
Best slow feed dog bowls
We’ve personally tried a few different slow feeders with our dogs, some better than others. I also found a few others that the humane society I volunteer for uses that work great.
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If you have a dog that likes to chew, you may prefer the stainless steel bowls.
Many of these options are plastic bowls because it’s easier to mold into different shapes than stainless. Just ensure they are dishwasher safe and free of BPA chemicals.
Be aware that some dogs will outsmart the bowl and learn how to flip them over!
IMPORTANT: Most slow feeder bowls are not suitable for short short snoughted dogs (brachycephalic breeds), such as bulldogs, bull mastiffs, boston terriers, boxers, pugs, and shih tzus.
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Here are my favorite 10 best slow feeder dog bowls:
1. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo-Bowl Healthy Slow Feeding Dog Bowl
- User Rating: 4.8 Stars
- Pros: Heavy plastic, deep design, different design and size options, holds up to 3-4 cups of food.
- Cons: Not suitable for short-nosed dogs. Plastic can be chewed by aggressive chewers.
2. Green Interactive Feeder
- User Rating: 4.6 Stars
- Pros: Available in two sizes, dishwasher safe.
- Cons: Not suitable for short-nosed dogs. It can be messy with food spilling off the sides. More expensive than other bowls.
3. Wooly Snuffle Mat
- User Rating: 4.3 Stars
- Pros: Engages your dogs sense of smell. Machine washable,
- Cons: Dog can easily pick it up and flip the entire mat.
4. StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy
- User Rating: 4.2 Stars
- Pros: Holds up to 3 cups of food.
- Cons: Does not work well with large kibble pieces. Hard to clean.
5. Hyper Pet IQ Treat Mat, Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
- User Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Pros: Great for wet food and small kibble.
- Cons: Most kibble will be too large to fit into grooves. Thin plastic not suitable for heavy chewers.
6. AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs, Interactive Feed Game
- User Rating: 4 Stars
- Pros: Works for any dog breed, including short-nosed dogs. Machine washable.
- Cons: Not as challenging as some of the other interactive feeders.Â
7. JASGOOD Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
- User Rating: 4.4 Stars
- Pros: Similar to the Outward Hound brands with Heavy plastic, deep design, with several different color options.
- Cons: Not suitable for short-nosed dogs. Plastic can be chewed by aggressive chewers.
Slow feeder dog bowl stainless steel options
I like the stainless steel options simply for the fact they are not chewable and easier to keep clean.
8. Neater Pet Brands Stainless Steel Slow Feed Bowl
- User Rating: 4.3 Stars
- Pros: Fit elevated feeders, 1 cup, and 4 cup size options. Available in non-slip style too.
- Cons: Does not work well with short or large-nosed dogs.
9. Neater Feeder Express Raised Stainless Steel Dog Bowl Set
- User Rating: 4.5 Stars
- Pros: I love the elevated feeding stations for larger dogs, and with this system, you get the raised tray and slow feeder bowl all in one!
- Cons: Not as tall as one would expect a raised system would be. But they do sell legs to extend the height.
10. Omega Paw Portion Pacer Ball
- User Rating: 3.8 Stars
- Pros: Use in your existing stainless steel bowls.
- Cons: May not slow down a very determined dog.
Other tips and tricks for a dog that eats too fast
These are not only great enrichment ideas but great ways to slow your dog down. I learned the first two ideas from our local humane society, it helps the dogs not only be less stressed in a high-stressed environment but gives them mental exercise
- Add water or broth to the kibble and partially freeze in a stainless steel bowl before serving to your dog.
- Mix your dog’s food with a spoonful of peanut butter and fill a large Kong® with it. You can freeze for an added bonus. A small amount of peanut butter goes a long way. But I don’t recommend this for every single day, as it does have a high-fat content. An alternative to the peanut butter is using a can of wet food.
- Don’t feed your dog his meal in a bowl. Use his kibble for training time. There are no rules that your dog needs to eat his meal in a bowl. Many trainers believe your dog should have to work for food.
- Use dog puzzles to feed him his meals. There are many fun dog puzzles available on the market. Or you can simply create your own puzzles with a cardboard box and newspaper.
Every dog is unique, so what works with one dog may not work with another. The key is to learn your dogs personality and work with that.
I would love it if you would share any ideas that work with your dog by leaving a comment below.
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