The Benefits of Slow Feeder Dog Bowls Go Way Beyond Helping with Digestion

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If you've ever put your dog's food down and turned around one second later to find the entire bowl empty, then it might be time to look into a slow feeder. Slow feeder dog bowls utilize unique designs that incorporate texture or ridges to physically slow your dog's pace when they eat. Additionally, enrichment puzzles and toys can also be used as slow feeders, plus they add the benefit of mental stimulation while your dog is eating.

With the popularity of slow feeder dog bowls skyrocketing, there's more than enough options on the market to overwhelm a pet owner. That's why we tested multiple slow feeders and consulted Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, Chief Veterinarian at Petco, to get her advice and recommendations when it comes to using slow feeders and puzzles for dogs. Whether you've got a large breed pup like a Lab or a Golden Retriever or a petite precious pooch, there's a slow feeder dog bowl made just for your furry family member.

Ceramic Slow Feeder Dog Bowls

Ceramic dog bowls don't just look better: they're also more durable than their plastic counterparts. We love Pawaboo's high-quality design that makes it difficult to break and truly non-slip. The Medium/Large size fits plenty of food, so your pet will still need plenty of time to get all of that kibble. We also love how high the ridges are, adding an extra level of difficulty in getting each and every bite of food out.

You may have noticed that we listed heavy as both a pro and a con for this dog bowl, and that wasn't by mistake. For larger dogs, a heavy bowl means that your pup won't be able to knock over or move their feeder around, a feature we love. But, do be warned: this bowl is hefty. You'll want to use both hands when carrying it.

Also, because the Pawaboo bowl is ceramic, that means it's breakable. It is durable and well-made, so it would take a good bit to break it, but it's a feature to be aware of.

The Game Treat Dispensing Dog Toy

This toy may be listed as a treat dispenser, but it's really ideal for full feedings as you'd need a lot of treats to fill it up. Essentially, the bottom 1/3 of this toy is weighted, causing it to wobble without falling down, which makes it far more difficult than similarly structured food dispensing toys on the market. You can also make the dispenser hole smaller, for an added level of difficulty.

The Fable Game toy took our testers average eating time from 3 minutes to 10-15 minutes, and we love that it added tons of mental stimulation that would tire a dog out, as well. Our tester pup had tons of fun playing with the toy, and it definitely took her a bit longer to figure out than similar games without a weighted bottom.

Like we mentioned before, this toy works best with a good deal of food in it since the dispensing hole is higher up. We used 1.5 cups of food and our tester pup was able to get all but the last 5 pieces of kibble out of the toy.

Surprise Party Treat Puzzle

You might be familiar with Brightkins thanks to their kid's toys, but the brand recently ventured into the world of dog enrichment toys and have quickly climbed to the top of our list of favorite puzzle feeders. They have a great variety of toys with varying levels of difficulty and storage space for food, but this gift-box puzzle is at the top of our list when it comes to feeding time.

Each of the four "presents" can hold about 1/4-1/3 cup of food each, so we could easily get a whole meal's worth in the puzzle for a medium-sized dog. And since each box isn't super large, it's decently difficult for dogs to get more than a few pieces at a time. Each box opens a different way, so your pup will definitely take a few seconds to minutes in between opening each one.

We found this enrichment puzzle to be a great novice-style activity. It's simple enough for dogs not used to enrichment toys to get but provides enough of a challenge for pups that regularly have enrichment play. And after multiple uses, our tester pup still had to work through opening each box—he didn't remember straight away.

While this puzzle is suitable for small-medium/large dogs, dogs who eat more than 1.25 cups per serving may need two rounds of this puzzle to get all their food. If you're looking for a puzzle that's a bit larger, we love this one that also incorporates a traditional slow feeder bowl.

Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Stainless Steel

When it comes to durability, it's hard to beat stainless steel. Unbreakable and uncrackable, stainless steel dog bowls can easily be used for years, and usually come at a great price, like this slow feeder that's under $25.

This stainless steel dog bowl claims to slow down pups to 1.5 times their average eating time, which we found to be 100% true. While there are fewer ridges in this bowl compared to others we tried, the ridges are bigger, leaving smaller section of food for our tester pup to get to. We also appreciate that this bowl holds a full two cups easily, making it a great option for large dogs. And because it's stainless steel, it's easy to throw in the dishwasher for a quick clean.

While stainless steel is practically indestructible, it is also lightweight. This probably won't be an issue for most dogs, but if your pup has a tendency to flip or move their bowl while eating, then you might want to opt for one that's heftier than this.

Fun Feeder Slo Bowl

Plastic dog bowls are a go-to option because not only are they inexpensive, but they're usually quite easy to clean. This one adds durability to the list thanks to the thickness—it's practically uncrackable.

If you're looking for options, look no further than this slow feeder dog bowl. It comes in multiple different ridge designs and three sizes, so it's easy to customize to fit your dog's exact needs. For pup's that really need to slow their food intake, the spiral pattern shown might be the best option. Each valley is only wide enough for one of two pieces of kibble to fit in a line, so your pup's feeding time may increase significantly.

One feature we don't love about this slow feeder bowl is that the ridges are high and inflexible, so it's not usable for short-snouted dogs. While most breeds should be fine, it's worth keeping an eye on your dog the first few feedings to make sure they don't struggle.

Slowdown Bowl

We may have listed this as the best slow feeder for dogs with short snouts, but don't let that box you in—take one look at the reviews and you'll see that dogs of all different breeds love it.

It is ideal for pups with flat faces because the ridges are low and silicone, so even short snouted dogs can reach the bottom, and, if they can't, their noses can push the silicone over. But since the design includes so many ridges, this bowl slows down dogs with long snouts just as much.

Because the Slowdown Bowl is silicone, it's extremely easy to clean—just toss it in the dishwasher and you're good to go. However, some reviews do mention that this slow feeder might not be ideal for puppies or chewers. Because the silicone is softer than plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel, it's easy to chew through and your pup might think it's a toy.

Nano Automated Feeder Dog Bowl

Face it: we all have days when making sure the dog is properly fed might be on the lower end of our to-do list. Busy pet parents will love the flexibility this slow feeder gives them thanks to it automatic dispersion system. "The Gamma Nano Automated Feeder Dog Bowl is pre-scheduled to serve two cups twice per day, but pet parents can fully customize their pet’s meal schedule with up to six mealtimes and sizes to dispense daily," Dr. Miller raves.

If you're worried about the health risks associated with eating too quickly, then set this slow feeder to dispense small amounts of kibble every 3-5 minutes to force your dog to take a breather. By prolonging this feeding time, you're also tiring out your dog as they patiently await their next serving of food, so expect a long nap breakfast.

The only slight negative we found with this slow feeder is that it only holds two cups of food. While that's probably plenty of space for most dogs for a single feeding, some pet parents might want more space so they don't need to refill after each mealtime.

Lick Mat

While you might have thought that not needing to chew would alleviate some of the risk of dogs eating too quickly, you couldn't be further from the truth. Swallowing too much air is still a huge possibility for dogs who scarf down their wet food, so a slow feeder is still the best option. But may pet parents might find it difficult to use a traditional slow feeder bowl or a puzzle for wet food, which is where a lick mat comes in.

This lick mat comes with different textured patterns that—you guessed it—force dogs to lick every last bit of their food up instead of gulping it down. We love the included spatula so pet owners don't have to worry about getting any messy food on their hands. This one is dishwasher safe, an absolute game changer and must have when it comes to lick mats. It also comes in two sizes, but we'd recommend the larger size for most dogs.

Lick mats are even more effective when you freeze your dog's food on the mat ahead of time. This is also a great way to regulate their body temperature in the hot summer months.

The downside to this lick mat (and most, for that matter) is that it doesn't provide a massive amount of surface area for the food. You might need to use both mats for large dogs.

Bowl Insert

Not looking to replace your dog's entire bowl, either for budget or aesthetic reasons? Then no worries, because there's still a perfect slow feeder out there for you: this silicone insert.

The bottom of this insert has 38 suction cups to properly attach to most dog bowls securely, so your pup can't just take it out. It also utilizes both dividers and ridges to slow dogs down at feeding time. The size is customizable—the dividers have cut lines in case you need to trim the insert a bit to fit your bowl. This insert is also compatible with both wet and dry food. Another feature pet parents will love? The soft silicone is bendable, so if you had concerns about your pup's snout getting hurt on the hard ridges of other bowls, then this is the perfect option for you.

While we would assume this insert is dishwasher-safe because it is silicone, the product doesn't specifically list it as being so. So, you might want to take that into consideration before buying. However, most reviewers mention how easy it is to clean with just a quick rinse in the sink.

Are Slow Feeder Bowls Good for Dogs?

The short answer: yes. "Slow feeders are great for dogs and there is virtually no downside to incorporating them into your pup’s mealtime routine," Dr. Miller says.

For starters, there are a variety of health issues that can arise when your pet is eating too fast, some of which can be fatal (more on that in a minute). Not to mention, general indigestion caused by fast eating isn't fun for anyone to deal with, you and your pet included.

But slow feeders aren't just great for the fast eaters. "Even dogs who don’t eat their food too quickly can benefit from a slow feeder because these feeders provide additional mental enrichment that improves pets' cognition and overall health. Slow feeders also help to combat boredom, so utilizing them on a rainy day or any time your pet is getting less stimulation than normal can be a great way to keep them engaged."

Which Slow Feeder Is Right For My Dog?

Slow feeders go way beyond the usual bowl nowadays. "Durable plastic or metal are great choices for dog bowls. Regardless of the material of your dog’s bowls, remember to wash them regularly as harmful bacteria can stay on food bowls if they aren’t cleaned properly," Dr. Miller shares. There are tons of ways to slow feeder your pet, but here are the top three that we highlighted:

• Slow feeder bowls—Shaped like a typical dog bowl, these slow feeders utilize risen ridges and dividers to physically slow dog pets in their process of eating. The designs can vary greatly, as well as the materials the bowl is made with. Traditional slow feeder bowls are great for both wet and dry food, but you'll want to keep an eye on ridge and divider height if you have a dog with a short snout.

• Lick mats—These are ideal for wet or semi-wet food, utilizing a textured pattern over high ridges or dividers. They're especially useful when food is frozen on, adding tons of extra time to your dog's eating. However, lick mats may be too small for dogs who eat large meals.

• Puzzles/enrichment games—Combining mental stimulation with slow feeding, puzzles and enrichment games are excellent ways to pace your pet and meal time. These toys act to hide the food and challenge your pet to find out how to get it out, which most dogs love. There are large options on the market, but most of what you'll find is geared towards small/medium dogs. "Introducing a puzzle into your dog’s mealtimes or snack times can entertain them even further and prolong the amount of time it takes them to eat," Dr. Miller says.

You might want to consider getting a variety of these, especially if mental stimulation is a key reason you're utilizing slow feeders. "Having several slow feeder options and rotating them can increase enrichment for your pup and helps prevent them from getting used to any given feeder," Dr. Miller says.

What Can Happen If My Dog Eats Too Fast?

While indigestion is one of the most common symptoms pet parents notice when their dog is eating too fast, there are others that can be even more dangerous. Here's a few reasons it might be best to switch your dog to a slow feeder, according to the American Kennel Club.

• Choking—When your pet is scarfing down their food too quickly, they're most likely not taking much time to chew, if any at all. Just like in humans, swallowing whole bits of food can quickly lead to choking. If you notice your dog gagging or coughing when eating their food, this could be a sign that they're eating too fast and getting choked.

• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or Bloat—No, we're not talking about your typical bloated belly from too much food. When dogs eat too quickly, they swallow a great deal of air, causing the stomach to expand. Where this gets really dangerous is when that bloating causes the stomach to flip or twist, which can be fatal.

• Indigestion—A far less scary symptom than the two mentioned before, indigestion is still unpleasant for both pet and parent. Swallowing un-chewed food gives the stomach more work to do, which can cause extra tummy pains. If your dog swallows too much air, you'll likely notice a good bit of gas, too. Finally, vomiting is a common symptom in dogs after eating too quickly and is a surefire sign of some serious indigestion.

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