Depending on the type of bowl, the unique challenging mazes of a slow feed bowl forces your dog to slow down while they eat dry kibble or raw food, which can help them avoid developing canine bloating or indigestion. A slow feeder dog bowl also makes dogs less gassy, so everyone's happy!
But what if you have a picky eater?
Make sure your dog isn't starving during feeding time if it's genuinely fussy and not motivated by food. A regular dog bowl or current bowl should suffice.
Slow feed bowls may be the answer for those dogs that enjoy meals but tend to wolf them down too quickly for their own good. As your dog adjusts to the new eating method, please be patient. It's crucial that your dog eats a healthy diet so that he/ she remains healthy and happy. Diagnosing and treating digestive issues or food allergies can be very costly.
Better for your dog's health
Does your dog morph into a canine version of "The Flash" when it's feeding time? Belle and Marley, my dogs, have a real problem: they both inhale their food at dinner time. They ate so fast a couple of times that they vomited afterwards. When it comes to mealtimes, the dynamic duo are speed eaters and this causes discomfort that leads to health issues.
When your dog eats too fast, he swallows larger pieces of kibble without chewing and takes in air with each mouthful, and the worst-case scenario is that the air goes on down to their tummies and causes them to swell up and bloat. If they run around or play, they are at greater risk of flipping over their stomachs, causing a medical condition called GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus). This life-threatening condition is a medical emergency that can also be fatal for dogs.
The best-case scenario would involve air travelling through their guts and coming out as flatulence - not too bad considering how much they enjoy eating anything insight (and digesting).
Using a slow feed dog bowl at meal times is a good idea, because it slows down the ingestion of food and prevents the worst case scenario from playing out.
What is a Slow Feeder Bowl?
A slow feeder bowl is a dog food bowl with many obstructions built into it.
If you own a speed eating dog, you have to make a tough decision: you can either feed your fur baby from an ordinary bowl and risk obesity and health issues or you can puzzle-feed them out of a slow feeder dog bowl and improve their health.
A slow feed dog bowl is a unique bowl with unique patterns that holds the food, preventing hungry dogs from wolfing down their meals. The slow feed dog bowl can come with various configurations to suit your dog's size, breed and needs.
The Benefits of a Slow Feed Dog Bowl
The benefits of slow eating using a slow feeder dog bowl are numerous: your dog will be less likely to overeat since they'll have to work harder to get their food, thus promoting slower eating. They'll also get mental stimulation from figuring out how to get their dinner out of the slow feed bowl, improving problem-solving skills and reducing boredom and frustration. Having dogs work for their food is more natural than simply munching down on cups of kibble or wet food.
In addition to providing physical benefits, slow-feed bowls provide mental stimulation through the challenges they present to your pet.
If your dog is used to eating from a normal dog bowl, it may take some time to adapt to the feeder, so you must introduce it gradually and reward your dog for taking its time.
Drawbacks of Slow Feed Dog Bowls
There's a lot of excitement in the air about the slow feeder bowl, and for a good reason: They can keep your dog from devouring large amounts of food. But some drawbacks depending on the type of slow feed dog bowl, albeit minor ones.
- Cost: One consideration is the cost of a slow feeder dog bowl. You could also use a muffin tin or plastic bottle; they might be able to help solve the problem in the short term. Some of them are pretty pricey, but you get what you pay for, so buyer beware.
- Quality: Make sure you choose your slow feed bowl carefully. Larger breeds of dogs can destroy a delicate feeder beyond repair with a mighty appetite! Some are more sturdy than others, so select one appropriate to your dog's size and enthusiasm.
- Teeth Damage: If your dog becomes overexcited while eating, she may damage her teeth. Some dogs get frustrated trying to scoop up their food, and if a slow feed bowl is made from a durable material, there is a possibility that this may occur. However, the chances of this happening are pretty rare.
- Plastic: Non-slip base plastic slow feed bowls are available on the market in a variety of materials, but if the bowl is made with softer material and has small parts that your dog can swallow, it will be harder to clean.
- Cleaning: Thanks to all the nooks and crannies, these slow feed bowls are more challenging to clean. The greater the number of nooks and crannies on dog bowls, the more difficult they are to clean. Check if they are dishwasher safe too (top-rack dishwasher) or easily cleaned with soapy water.
- Mess: When dogs are excited, they may wobble and spill their food from these slow feed bowls. Consider investing in a heavy and stable bowl for your dog if you think this might be a problem. A stainless steel slow feeder might be ideal. Due to the difficulty of working with metal, stainless steel slow feeders have a simpler pattern than plastic ones.
Conclusion
A slow feed bowl or puzzle feeder bowl comes in plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel bowls with a non-skid base. Different kinds of slow feeder dog bowls are available with challenges like mazes or puzzles that are dog-friendly. These bowls range in price from $8 to $40 online. Slow feeder bowls are best at teaching your dog to eat slowly so that he won't gulp down his bowl of food in less than a minute. By slow feeding your dog, you can encourage positive mental stimulation, reduce gorging, and help him lose weight.
We think slow feed dog bowls are worth the money to keep your dogs healthy at meal time, but make sure you select the correct slow feed bowl for your dog. Slow feed bowls offer a variety of benefits over regular bowls, at an affordable price.
The Ultimate, Versatile 4-in-1 Slow Feeder & Reversible Lick Mat
Super Feedy, the ultimate, versatile 4-in-1 Slow Feeder, naturally slows your dog down at chow time. It includes everything you need to give your pup a healthy, happy mealtime - no matter where you are.
You can help your dog eat 10x slower with this product, which features a specially designed patterned surface that naturally slows down your pet during mealtime. It also includes a reversible lick mat to keep your dog interested and stimulated. In addition this dishwasher safe bowl is made of food-safe materials, such as food-safe silicone, recyclable plastic, and is BPA, PVC, and Phthalate-free. Best of all, it reduces indigestion in dogs, so you can confidently correct their eating habits without worry.
The food you put into your dog's bowl is incredibly important that's why we designed this feeder to accommodate ANY kind of food, from purees to stews to dry food. And since it comes with a stay-put suction base and a huge 10 cup bowl capacity, there'll be plenty of room for your dog to forage for food while they eat.
Plus, you can take it with you wherever adventure takes you! It's a mealtime game changer.
