A dog that quickly eats his food bowl may seem funny, but rapid food consumption can be downright dangerous.
If you have dogs, be careful of how much you feed them, and how quickly they eat. Bloat is a danger to dogs, and they can die from it.
Dogs that are very hungry or overfed may experience a similar set of symptoms.
This Slow Feeder Dog Bowl has many options to pick from so you are sure to find something that will fit your pup perfectly. They also have a wide variety of sizes to choose from.
If your dog is a picky eater, then you should invest in a good slow feeder dog bowl to avoid any issues when he/she is hungry. These bowls come in all different sizes to fit the needs of your pup.
Our Top Slow Feeder Picks
- Best Overall:Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl
- Best for Large Dogs:Neater Brands Slow Feed Pet Bowl
- Best for Small Dogs:Leash Boss Flat Face Feeder
- Best Ceramic Slow Feeder Bowl:Le Tauci Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
- Best Stainless Steel:Neater Pet Brands Slow Feed Stainless Steel Bowl
- Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Insert:Omega Paw Portion Pacer
What Are Slow Feeder Dog Bowls?
Slow feeder dog bowls are designed to encourage dogs to eat more slowly by making food less accessible. There are many different types of these bowls to choose from, including bowls with “speed bumps” in the bottom, to bowls with individual compartments for food and add-ins that encourage dogs to navigate in order to eat up.
The goal of these feeding options is to increase the amount of time it takes to consume a meal.
This slow feed bowl is a great item for enrichment and to help with chewing.
Your dog will love a playful bowl and it will get them to use their creative side. It encourages your dog to try different foods, which means more variety and therefore better nutrition.
How We Chose Our Top Selections
Over 20 years of dog training experience, 6 years working in the pet industry and 4 years behind the counter at a pet retail shop give me the knowledge to recommend the right products for you and your furry friend.
In addition to my own personal experience using these items, my selection criteria for slow feeding dog bowls included:
- Overall product design and efficiency (does the bowl actually slow down consumption?)
- Value
- Safety
- Size options
- Feedback and reviews from pet parents
6 Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls of 2023
While a slow-feeder is a great way to help your chowhound, not every bowl is perfect for every dog.
Our top pick is an all-in-one dog feeding guide that considers everything from the level of difficulty to specific canine dining styles.
Best Overall Dog Slow Feeder Bowl
Our Pick:Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl
Whether your dog is a small lapdog or a large breed, this large dog bowl has something to offer every dog.
I love these dog bowls. They’re constructed of BPA, PVC, and phthalate free materials, so they’re perfect for all dogs, and the nonslip base keeps them from slipping
The Outward Hound Bowl is dishwasher safe and works well with all dry and wet dog food options.
The brightly colored bowl you see here makes a fun and colorful toy for your dog’s dinner time.
Highlights
- Variety of shapes and sizes
- Can be used with both wet and dry food
- Non-slip base
- Easy to clean
- Holds up to 5 cups of food
Things to Consider
- Might be too challenging for some breeds
- The plastic angles in some formats are hard and may irritate your dog’s chin
- Some dogs resort to flipping the bowl
Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl for Large Dogs
Our Pick:Neater Brands Slow Feed Pet Bowl
There is a lot to like about the only USA made slow bowl. The design of the mountain range evenly distributes food throughout the twenty five individual feeder pockets, challenging dogs without causing frustration. The bowl can be snapped into a base to elevate it, or leg extensions can be added to raise it to over 7 inches high. The perfect choice for large breed dogs, the Neater feeder has a capacity of six cups.
Highlights
- USA-made
- Frustration-free dining
- Adds on to convert to an elevated bowl
- Dishwasher safe
- Holds up to 6 cups of food
Things to Consider
- Rubber foot pads may fall off
- Looks kind of like a torture device
- Some users report that the peaks irritate their dogs’ chins
Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl for Small Dogs
Our Pick:Leash Boss Flat Face Feeder
You’ll love this option for smaller pups because it makes for a gentle feed, but it doesn’t allow for a deep reservoir for flat-face breeds.
Short-snout puppies need a challenging and stimulating diet and a gentle incline to reach the food.
This feeder is the perfect choice for brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Pugs because it can put those canine fart factories out of business for good.
Highlights
- Dishwasher safe
- 5-year warranty
- Works with wet or dry food
- Safe for brachycephalic breeds
Things to Consider
- Energetic eaters might spill food outside the feeder
- Rubber foot grips slip off
- Some users report that it doesn’t provide enough slow down
Best Ceramic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
Our Pick:Le Tauci Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
This ceramic slow feeder dog bowl is perfect for dogs that like to chew on the plastic bumpers or throw their bowl around while they’re eating because it’s made of heavy duty ceramic.
The Le Tauci bowl is sturdy enough that even those most energetic eaters won’t be able to budge it. It weighs in at just over 3 pounds.
We love the variety of sizes, patterns and colors, and the fact that the smooth surface of our gloves inhibits bacterial growth.
You’ll love the easy clean-up feature of this pot. It’s dishwasher safe, so it’s a snap to clean up!
Highlights
- Variety of sizes and maze options
- Heavy construction
- Non-slip base
Things to Consider
- Breakable
- Might not be a fit for small-breed dogs
Best Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Bowl
Our pick:Neater Pet Brands Slow Feed Stainless Steel Bowl
We recommend the Stainless Steel Slow Feed Dog Bowl.
The shape of the bowl encourages gulpers to work for their meals no matter what kind of food they’re eating — dry, wet, or frozen
This is a great choice for anyone who loves their coffee hot or cold and needs a simple solution for keeping their coffee warm or cool.
As a bonus, this bowl fits into many elevators.
Highlights
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable
- Two sizes available
Things to Consider
- Might not be enough to slow down some dedicated eaters
- There’s no rubber skid pad on the bottom so the bowl can “walk”
- The small might be too big for some petite pups
Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Insert
Our Pick:Omega Paw Portion Pacer
It doesn’t get any easier than this slow-feed option!
The Omega Portion Pacer is an elegant, stainless steel ball that can be used in any type of dog bowl.
Dogs have to push the ball around their bowl to get to their food.
It’s a convenient, easy to clean, and dishwasher safe product that you can use in your dog’s water bowl
We love how portable this is. You can easily bring it along for travel to slow down your dog’s eating while away.
Highlights
- Fits inside most bowls
- Easy to clean
- Perfect for food or water
Things to Consider
- It might be too large for some dogs
- Can be noisy in metal bowls
- Some dogs might be frustrated or afraid of it
Buyer Guide
There is no perfect slow feeder bowl for all dogs. Consider the following when shopping for your pup:
Assess the level of difficulty.
Dogs are hard-wired to get their dinner by any means necessary. This bowl is challenging enough to keep your dog from flipping it.
When it comes to choosing the right bowls for different foods, some bowls are better than others.
Your dog should consider his conformation and eating style when choosing a feeder.
Choose the right size.
If your bowl can handle your dog’s full meal ration, you should use it. It’s better to have too much food than not enough.
You want to make sure that the bowl your dog uses to eat treats or other foods is small enough to prevent them from getting into the bumpers, and big enough for him to get a hearty serving without having to work for it.
Pay attention to materials.
Skittish dogs might not be happy with plastic bowls, but they’ll love the sound of their tags clanking against a stainless steel bowl.
You should also think about how easy it is to keep the bowl clean. Your dog’s water dish is the perfect place for bacteria to grow.
Shop for stability. If a bowl can be flipped, pushed, or otherwise manipulated, it’s most likely not a good fit for dogs.
Slow Feeder Dog Bowls FAQs
Do slow feeder dog bowls really work?
Some are better than others because of the materials they’re made of and the distribution of the slowing elements.
Different bowls work better for different types of dogs. Small dogs have a different digestive system than larger dogs, and so they benefit from having different bowls.
You should always choose a slow feeder that’s sized appropriately for your dog.
Are slow feeder dog bowls good for puppies?
Slow feeder bowls are great for all dogs that need to slow down on eating or drinking. Puppies in particular benefit from slow bowl feeding.
Young dogs, especially pups, can have a bit of trouble figuring out how to chow down on their dry food.
Can I put wet food in a slow feeder dog bowl?
Depending on what kind of bowl you select, it may slow down or stop the water flow.
A wet food dish shouldn’t cause your dogs to suffer a severe case of botulism, but in the worst case scenario, a few bumps and pegs in your wet food dishes can cause bacterial growth.
This bowl should be fine for both wet food and dry food. If it says it’s only intended for dry food, check the instructions and make sure it will work for both types of food.
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