Reviewing The Best Slow Feeder Bowls For Your Dog
Unlike humans, most animals do not have the sense to identify how much they should be eating, or how fast they should consume their food. If your dog comes up running and devours all the food the moment you put it in its bowl, it’s certainly not a good sign. And chances are, you’re already familiar with your dog going through all the nasty tummy issues if that’s the case. Excessive gas build-up, your dog throwing up on your house’s floor, bloated, and whatnot! So, how do you counter this habit of your dog’s and negate its harmful effects? You get your dog a slow feeder bowl! In this article, we’ve put together a list of the Best Slow Dog Feeders in 2021 that are designed to aid healthy eating for your furry friend.
A slow dog feeder bowl has a puzzle-like structure that prevents your dog from inhaling all the food in a single take. Instead, these feeders force your dog to take its time while eating from the bowls and chew each bite. According to ASPCA, the puzzle-like structure and hurdles inside these feeder bowls help to stimulate your dog’s mind and rewire its brain into a healthy, calmer one.
Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl in Detail
Outward Hound Fun Slow Feeder Bowl
– Best Slow Feeder Bowl Overall
Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl Slow Feeder helps prevent your dog from getting bloated. This bowl is veterinarian recommended. The bowl contains no BPA or PVC. The bowl is compatible for dry or wet food. It might not work properly for some dogs, depending on the shape of their face, which can prevent them from getting to the food.
This bowl is designed for dogs to eat 10 times slower than normal. With its maze design, dogs can have fun foraging for their food in this unique pattern. Digestion is improved since dogs eat slower.
UPSKY Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
– Most Practical
UPSKY Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Fun Feeder No Chocking Slow Feeder Bloat Stop Dog Cat Food Water Bowl with Funny Pattern. The raised parts of the bowl help keep the food separate so your dog eats slower for better digestion and less bloating. The bowl is made of non-toxic, food-safe material for safety.
UPSKY Slow Feeder Dog Bowl is made of extra-strong, durable material to last numerous feedings. The gaps are the right size to not inhibit most dogs’ eating. It’s easy to clean. The bowl is lightweight. There’s no grip and the bowl moves easily. It’s not as effective for dogs with wider snouts.
NOYAL Dog Slow Feeder Bowl
– Best Design
NOYAL Dog Slow Feeder Bowl, Non Slip Puzzle Bowl – Anti-Gulping Pet Slower Food Feeding Dishes – Interactive Bloat Stop Dog Bowls – Durable Preventing Choking Healthy Design Dogs Cats Bowl. NOYAL Dog Slow Feeder Bowl, Non Slip Puzzle Bowl is best for small and medium dogs since it holds about 1 ½ cups of food. It can be cleaned in the dishwasher. It might be difficult for young puppies to use.
With its fun pattern, your fur baby will love diving in to eat. With the raised areas, your baby will slow down and not eat so fast to prevent digestion issues, including bloating. The bowl comes with non-slip mats to prevent the bowl from moving around.
Siensync Slow Feeder Bowl
– Long-Lasting
Siensync Slow Feeder Dog Bowl, Non Slip Puzzle Bowl Fun Feeder Interactive Bloat Stop Dog Bowl, Eco-Friendly Non Toxic Bamboo Fiber Slow Feed Dog Bowl for Large Medium Small Dogs. There’s a 12-month worry-free warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee. The material isn’t durable and can be easily chewed.
This high-quality bowl is made out of extra-strength, food-safe plastic that contains no PVC, BPA, or phthalates. With its design, it makes eating more challenging to slow your fur baby down. Siensync Slow Feeder Dog Bowl, Non Slip Puzzle works for dogs of all sizes. This bowl can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher.
Dogit Go Slow Anti-Gulping Dog Dish, Slow Feeding Dog Bowl Suitable for Wet or Dry Food. The slow pace reduces excess air intake that not only reduces the risk of bloating which in some cases can be lethal, but it also improves digestion. It’s dishwasher safe and so is really easy to clean.
This slow feeder dog bowl comes in a range of sizes and different colors. It’s suitable for both dry and wet food and is the perfect solution for dogs who gulp down their food. This slow feeder dog bowl encourages your dog to eat at a slower pace owing to its unique design.
Leashboss Slow Feed Dog Bowl for Raised Pet Feeders – Maze Food Bowl Compatible with Elevated Diners. The multiple divisions slow down your dog’s eating to fight off vomiting, choking, gulping, obesity, and bloating. Built with dishwasher safe material, you can easily clean this on the top rack. Due to it’s a similar shape to typical bowls, we don’t recommend this slow feeder for dogs who have a habit of flipping bowls over.
Leashboss fits perfectly in any traditional raised dog feeder for easy use alongside a standard dog bowl. It can hold two cups of wet or dry dog food and comes with slip-resistant grips on the bottom to prevent messes. This slow dog feeder is designed with the same dimensions as a standard dog bowl. It comes with a star pattern to help enforce slower eating habits for your dog.
Best Slow Feeders for Dog Buying Guide
A slow feeder for your dog is a great way to encourage them to feed themselves. They also prevent them from becoming overweight, because their hunger may not be satisfied until they’re able to look in the fridge and see a full bowl of food. A slow-feeding system is also good for the environment, as it conserves energy. The downside to a slow cooker is that it requires more work on the part of the handler and the dog owner. If you need to install a feed pump or a sensor, you'll need a good set of slow food dispensers to go with them. We ve chosen our top five slow dog feed dispenser picks for you, but first, read on to learn more about what goes into choosing the right slow feeding system for dog owners.
Tips
When using a slow feeder for your dog, make sure that it’s not too large. This can be an issue if your pet likes to stretch out and eat multiple pieces at once.
- It‘s also a concern if you're feeding a small dog who might accidentally eat the whole thing. Even if it seems like your slow-feeder is a good idea, it can quickly become a pain in the neck when trying to keep up with your furry friend.
- If you have a dog that is picky or will not eat on her own, you will need to mix her food in with whatever food you feed your cat. Slow-feeding your pooch can also be challenging if he is already pickily or indifferent to his meals. She may also reject any foods that are not her favorite.
- When using your food processor or blender to blend your own food, be sure to set your blend to low speed. Otherwise, your canine companion could wind up getting lusciously munchable chunks of food that she won't eat.
Considerations
When you’re looking for a slow-feeder for your dog, there are a few important factors you should keep in mind. Each model offers a slightly different experience, so you might want to test a couple out to find the best fit for you and your pooch. Here are the main features to consider when you set out shopping.
Most slow feeder models are made of plastic, but some models use a wooden base or frame. Plastic models can be less expensive, though, and they're typically lighter and smaller than their wooden counterparts. However, wooden models tend to be more fragile, requiring regular maintenance to keep them in top condition. Some slow feeding systems are manually operated, whereas others are automatically triggered. Manual feed chutes are usually the least expensive.
They don‘t require much effort from you because they simply attach to your pets food bowl. A good manual feed system should be easy to use, with all the features you need readily accessible. Automatic feed systems usually require a bit more work from the user, since they require you to manually turn on the chute every time your pup ingests food.
There s usually a timer built into the system, which you can program to start dispensing food when your little one has finished a bowlful. If you choose an automatic feed option, be sure to periodically check on your canine companion to ensure he's eating well. As with most pet behavior issues, the answer is usually yes. Many pet owners find that feeding their pets at the right time of day helps prevent pooping and diarrhea.
By feeding your furry friend at bedtime, you give him or her the chance to get used to sleeping in a warm environment. After a certain point, however, it's harder for most dogs to switch to a sleeping posture, even with the added stimulation of a feed dispenser. So it might be worth sticking with a traditional feeding arrangement until your chihuahua learns to nap on her own.
Prices
Inexpensive
Slow feeder models that cost between $10 and $20 come in a variety of sizes, including small, medium, and large. They may be basic models with few features, or they may have a few bells and whistles. The smaller models may only hold a cup, a bowl, treats, bottle, leash, spool, etc.
Mid-range
For $25 to $50, you’ll find models in both small and medium sizes. Many of these models have removable bowls, removable dog bowls (so you can feed both your dog and your children at the same time), and may include a removable bowl liner. Some have extra features like alarms to let you know when your pup is full.
Expensive
If you spend between about $100 and more, there are slow feed dog models made for large dogs, which can hold 12 to 24 cups, bowls and treats at once. Most of the models we‘ve seen in this price range include bells, sounds, temperature settings, lids, integrated leashes, plus a number of other features. These models are also generally made by higher-quality brands.
Features To Look For In Slow Feeders For Dogs
Before deciding which is the best slow feeder for your dog, there are a few features to look out for. Here they are.
Material
The most common materials for slow-feeders are plastic or metal. Metal is most often used in the bowls, and it can be the easiest to clean. The bowls are usually made from plastic, with the exception of some slow feeds that are made entirely of metal, which can pose a choking hazard to your pet.
Size
A slow feeding bowl for a dog should be big enough that it’s easy for the dog to get his or her food. Larger dogs may require a larger bowl, while a small dog may be satisfied with a smaller bowl. If your slow food feed is for an energetic dog that constantly yaps, however, a large bowl might not be necessary. Bowl Material and Size Different slow bowl materials and sizes have different drawbacks.
Shape
Almost all the slow bowls for pets are rectangular. This makes them easy to feed both dogs with straight and bent leashes. However, if you‘re feeding a puggle or miniature poodle, it might be difficult to reach the corners. Puddles can also get in your way, especially when they're in motion. To avoid this, look for bowls that have a V-shape.
Bowl Capacity
Your dog will consume a lot of food at once, so you don t want to buy a slow cooker bowl that's just big for him to eat at home. Large slow cookers have large bowls to accommodate large dogs, though they take up a bit more space. A bowl capacity of around one-and-a-half quarts is common, but you should always check the weight to make sure your chosen bowl will hold up over time.
Feeding Frequency
Some slow dogs prefer to only eat occasionally, whereas other dogs love to nibble all day long. You can find slow cooking bowls with different feeding frequencies, from once a day to as many as every two hours. In some cases, the frequency can vary, in which case the bowl needs to be recalibrated before use.
Leak Proof
Leaky bowls can make it difficult for you to actually cook your food for long periods, particularly if your cat or small dogs are in and out of the kitchen. Look for lids with built-in leak-proof valves, or opt for models that come with an automatic leak sensor. Automatic leak sensors can detect when food dribbles out and prevent the lid from opening.
Measuring Cup
Most slow kitchen bowls come equipped with measuring cups, usually in one of two shapes. It's important to choose the right cup, as bowls from different manufacturers may have slightly different measurements. Be sure to check that the cups are compatible with each other.
Slow Feeders for Dog FAQ
A: A slow-feeder is simply a dish or bowl that allows you to feed your dog at a leisurely pace, without them getting up to eat. Unlike some other fast-food options, slow food does not require you forcing your hungry canine pal to get up and move around to dig their food out of the bowl. Instead, you feed them what they desire, when they require it, and without causing them to feel any pressure to do anything else.
A: There are many types of models that are suitable for different dog needs. Your dog may require a particular slow cooking method or something that is more regular. Whatever you decide, be sure to consult with your pet's vet first to make sure that this is something you are able to work with.
A: Besides working out a routine for when you will feed the dog, it’s always a good idea to check with their vet. It‘s not recommended that you keep them fed throughout the day or that they should be eating regular meals as this could harm them.
