Slow Feeder Dog Bowls: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Why Your Dog Might Need a Slow Feeder Bowl—And Why It Might Not Be the Best Choice

If you’re a devoted dog mom, you want the absolute best for your pup—healthy meals, fun toys, and maybe even a wardrobe that rivals your own. But have you ever noticed your furry friend inhaling their food like it’s a race? That’s where slow feeder bowls come in. Designed to prevent gulping, these bowls claim to improve digestion, reduce bloating, and make mealtime more engaging.

But are they really the best option for every dog? While slow feeders have some undeniable perks, they also come with potential downsides that many pet parents overlook. Before you add one to your cart, let’s break down the pros and cons to see if a slow feeder bowl is truly the right fit for your pup!

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide if a slow feeder is right for your pup:

Pros of Dog Slow Feeder Bowls

• Prevents Choking and Wolfing Down Food: Fast eaters are more prone to choke on kibble or treats. Fast eating can lead to choking, vomiting, and bloat (gastric torsion), a life-threatening condition. Slow feeders make your dog take their time, reducing these risks.
• Reduces Bloat: Gobbling down food can lead to bloat, a life-threatening stomach condition in certain breeds.Slow feeders encourage better chewing and slower eating, potentially reducing the risk.
• Improves Digestion: Chewing food thoroughly aids digestion. Slow feeders promote this, allowing your dog to break down their food better and absorb nutrients more efficiently.
• Weight Management: Fast eating can lead to overeating. Slow feeders make mealtimes more prolonged, giving your dog a sense of fullness and potentially reducing the urge to overeat. Slow feeders help your dog feel fuller for longer, potentially aiding weight management.
• Mental Stimulation: Some slow feeders incorporate puzzles or challenges to access food, providing mental stimulation and keeping your dog occupied during mealtimes.
• Potentially Reduces Begging: If your dog gobbles down their food in seconds and then pesters for more, a slow feeder can help extend mealtime and reduce begging behavior

Cons of Slow Feeder Dog Bowls

• Not for All Eaters: Some dogs might lose interest in their food if it takes too long to access. This can be frustrating for them and lead to skipped meals.
• Can Be Frustrating: Highly food-motivated dogs might find slow feeders frustrating, leading to pawing or nudging the bowl excessively. For some dogs, especially determined ones, a complex slow feeder might become frustrating if they can’t figure out how to access the food easily.
• Not Chew-Proof: Some slow feeders made from flimsy materials can be chewed or damaged by determined chewers. But also, slow feeders are NOT chew toys. You can learn in this blog post here how to prevent your dog chewing on Lick Mats (works also for slow feeders).
• May Not Be Effective for All Conditions: While slow feeders can help with bloat, they might not be a guaranteed preventative measure for all dogs at risk.
• May Not Be Suitable for Flat-Faced Breeds: Certain slow feeder designs might be difficult for flat-faced breeds like Pugs or Bulldogs to navigate.
• Can Be Messy: Depending on the design, some slow feeders can scatter kibble around as your dog tries to access it.
• Cleaning Challenges: Some slow feeder designs can be trickier to clean thoroughly, harboring bacteria if not cleaned properly. There are lots of dishwasher safe bowls though!
• Cost: Slow feeder bowls can be more expensive than traditional bowls.
• Not a Magic Bullet: Slow feeders are a helpful tool, but they shouldn’t replace proper diet management and exercise for weight control.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

• Your Dog’s Breed: Certain breeds, like deep-chested dogs, are more prone to bloat, making slow feeders a potentially good option.
• Your Dog’s Eating Habits: If your dog is a fast eater or inhales their food, a slow feeder could be beneficial. | Severity of Fast Eating: If your dog’s fast eating habits are causing health concerns, a slow feeder might be a good option.
• Your Dog’s Personality: Consider your dog’s temperament and food motivation as well as your dog’s patience level and frustration tolerance when choosing a slow feeder design. Related: How to Introduce a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl to Your Dog
• Material: Choose a slow feeder made from safe, non-toxic materials. My dogs like silicone slow feeders best – they will also not hurt your dog’s nose as they are bendy. Slow feeders might not withstand your dog’s chewing habits. And they are NOT chew toys, so it’s best to train your dog how to use a slow feeder! You can find a detailed description on how to do this by redirecting here.
• Difficulty Level: Start with an easier design and gradually increase difficulty as your dog gets accustomed to the slow feeder.
• Supervision During Mealtime: It’s always a good idea to supervise your dog while they eat, especially when introducing a slow feeder for the first time.

Alternatives to Slow Feeders:

• Scatter Feeding: Scattering kibble around the house or yard makes your dog sniff and search for their food, slowing down eating time.
• Snuffle Mats, Snuffle Balls or Puzzle Plaits (one of our fave! You can find a video on how they work here and if you get the one from Calm Dog Games, you can use our code BULLYCO for a discount) are an amazing option too to add feeding enrichment.
• DIY Options: You can create a DIY slow feeder by placing a tennis ball or other safe object in a box (I like to use cardboard boxes, which they can also rip apart. Shredding is an amazing enrichment activity too!), making them sniff out their food (great for kibble).

Overall, slow feeder dog bowls can be a valuable tool for promoting healthy eating habits in dogs. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Consider your dog’s individual needs and preferences when deciding if a slow feeder is right for them.