6 Best Slow Feed Dog Bowls in 2021

Best Slow Feed Dog Bowls Review

Most dogs tend to eat at an alarming rate, and they can finish their meal in a few seconds. Doing this often leads to bloating, and overeating which can lead to a lot of health issues. If this is the case with your dog, then it’s time to get him a slow feeder bowl. It helps reduce your dog’s eating speed which means he eats slower yet feels fuller, content, and more energized.

Gulping down food can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, which causes pain, makes your dog less satiated, and increases his desire for more food; because of this, dogs tend to overeat and then vomit the excess food.

Dogs need to properly chew their food as it aids digestion; when your dog gulps down large mouthfuls of food, they take in too much air, which causes bloating, and it’s especially true if you feed your dog large meals. Eating slowly reduces the risk of nausea, bloating, and choking hazards. Chewing also stimulates your dog’s brain and offers proper mental exercise. It helps your dog stay healthy, happy, and mentally strong.

Thankfully, there is a simple way to make your dog slow down; slow feed dog bowls engage your dog’s other senses and aids better digestion. The ridges and barriers that these bowls have help prevent your dog from eating too fast. They are also helpful for dogs with dental problems as they can help improve their overall dental health.

Slow feed bowls make things easier, but the different patterns, shapes, and materials can make it difficult to choose the best option. To make things easier, we have carried out the research and found the best slow feed bowls available on the market for you to choose from; we reviewed the bowl’s durability, material, design features, and effectiveness. We’ve also provided a buyer’s guide that offers some tips on how to select a high-quality slow feed dog bowl and also how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your dog.

BUYER’S GUIDE FOR CHOOSING THE BEST SLOW FEED DOG BOWL

Even though slow feeders do the same thing, they come in different patterns, making it hard to choose one. However, instead of choosing between one that slows down eating or a tricky design, there are different factors you need to note. When choosing a slow feed bowl, you should keep your dog’s needs in mind; you won’t want your dog to be unsatisfied and hungry. Below are some features you should pay close attention to.

Material

Plastic isn’t the only material that can be made into slow feeders; there are lots of other materials that can be used. However, it is important to note that they all have advantages and disadvantages that you need to be aware of before making a choice.

• • Plastic: A plastic option is usually the best bet when you’re looking for a budget option. Most are dishwasher friendly, come in different colors, molds, and are shatterproof. Although plastic is practical, they are lightweight and tend to get easily damaged. If you have a playful pup, there is a high chance of him knocking over the bowl or it getting chewed by persistent biters. Chewing plastic is quite dangerous for your dog, especially if he ends up eating jagged and hard pieces of plastic. On the other hand, some dogs develop allergic reactions to plastic, so keep an eye out for any changes to their skin if they are using plastic bowls. If you’re opting for plastic, try to pick a melamine option, they are food safe and stronger than regular plastic, also opt for BPA-free options.
  • Ceramic: This option is suitable for people that treat their dogs like royalty. Ceramic bowls usually have the most fashionable and stylish designs. They are durable and quite heavy, which means that your pup won’t be able to move it around while eating, so there is less spillage. However, they are more susceptible to chipping and breaking if they’re dropped, and because ceramic is a porous material, it needs more hand-cleaning than being placed in a dishwasher. Ensure that you are careful when buying a ceramic slow feed dog bowl, as some are made with cheaper substances such as lead which is unhealthy for your dog.
  • Stainless Steel: The stainless steel option is probably the most popular form of dog bowls, these days, innovative and new bowls usually have a stainless steel insert. They are durable and can’t be chewed or damaged by your dog; they are easy to handle and clean. They are affordable and serve you for a long time. However, they can become an issue during winter; if you keep your dog outside, your dog’s tongue could get stuck or injured in a cold stainless steel bowl. They also make a lot of noise.

[LIST-B](Silicone: Silicone is the newest material when it comes to dog bowls, they are incredibly lightweight and durable. They feel like a mix of rubber and plastic, thus offering strength and flexibility. They’re also safe for your dog as most come with food-grade certifications, so you know that it won’t ruin your dog’s meal.

Dog Friendly Designs/Design complexity

By looking at the design of a slow feed bowl, you’ll be able to tell if the bowl would be beneficial to your dog or just be an unnecessary chore. Slow feeders come with intricate designs that limit your dog’s access to food; the more complex the design, the slower your dog will eat. However, you should note your dog’s breed, one with a flat and short snout may not be able to reach food stuck at the nooks and corners. If a bowl is too complicated, your pup might lose interest and prefer to skip mealtime altogether, but it won’t solve your problem if it’s too simple. Think about how much longer you would prefer your dog’s mealtime to be and choose a design that matches.

Adequate Capacity/Size

It is important to choose the right size for your pup. If you choose a bowl that’s too big, it won’t slow down your excited dog, and if the bowl is too small, your dog won’t be able to reach the food at all. Large dogs should be given bigger bowls, while smaller dogs should use a smaller bowl. Also, pay attention to your dog’s face and snout. Keep in mind that the bowl’s size also affects the bowl’s capacity; if you give your dog a large bowl filled with food, he might end up overeating or wasting the food. The same way a large dog won’t feel full if he eats from a small bowl due to the limited size. When selecting a slow feed bowl for your dog, keep in mind that the surface area is taken up by ridges and obstacles, so it won’t hold as much food as your regular dog bowl, so make sure you pay attention to the capacity. Check the product descriptions, as most of them state how much food the bowl can hold, usually in the form of dog food cups.

Dishwasher Safe

Slow feeders are made with intricate designs that are hard to clean. Food tends to get stuck in corners which make the bowl susceptible to algae and mold. It could turn their safe, slow feeder into a toxic bowl, and cleaning up moldy dog food is not nice. When shopping for the slow feeder, make sure it is dishwasher safe, so you’ll be able to clean and maintain the bowl easily instead of slaving away at the sink. You can simply use a mild dish soap and place the bowl in the washer to sterilize the bowl without the stress of scrubbing.

Non-Slip Base

When dogs eat, they tend to play with their food, and this can cause the bowl to rock over and spill the food. Sometimes when your dog might try to eat food at the corners, the bowl might flip over. However, if you get a slow feeder with a non-slip base, it will reduce the chances of spillage and promote clean eating and less clean-up for you.

Breed Suitability

Dogs with short snouts such as pugs sometimes have trouble eating from a regular dog bowl because they are unable to reach corners, so keep this in mind when choosing a slow feed dog bowl. Options with deep maze-like designs will be too hard for your pug to eat from; you want to slow down their eating, not starve them. Opt for a bowl that has a design of two or three large pillars or grooves. It will slow your dog down but won’t make eating impossible for him.

Performance

It is important that you keep an eye on your dog’s patience and performance. Dogs can be resourceful when it concerns their food; if they get bored or frustrated, they might end up tipping their bowl as soon as you turn away from them. This is another reason to choose a slow feed bowl with a non-slip base, as it would be harder for your dog to slip over.

Convenience

When choosing a slow-feed bowl, ensure you choose one that is convenient for you. Options that come with features such as dual-purpose and dishwasher safe make the bowl much easier to use. Lastly. Make sure you choose an option that isn’t harmful to your dog and you if you or someone else ever steps on it or falls on the bowl.

Safety

These days you’ll see lots of dog bowls claiming to be BPA-free, which means that it is food grade approved and doesn’t contain any harsh chemical that can leak into your dog’s food. BPA is known to cause a lot of terrible hormonal conditions and cancer in some cases, so it’s best to opt for options that are free from any toxins. Also, any product that says its chew proof is a bonus as it is dangerous to allow your dog rip up parts of his bowl and expose himself to sharp, jagged pieces of material.

GASTRIC DILATION

Gastric dilation tends to happen and become severe within a few hours after your dog’s mealtime. If you think that your dog may have this problem. Take them to the vet as soon as you notice. Sadly, there is no home remedy that can help alleviate their pain, but if you notice it on time, there is a high chance they can be saved.

The main symptoms to watch for include vomiting without bringing anything out, excessive standing and stretching, anxious behavior around their stomach area, abnormal drooling, and abdomen distension. You may also notice that your dog is panting, weak, or collapsing. You should be extra cautious if your pet has a broad chest and is fed a single large meal a day and if he’s had recent surgery or has relatives with the same health issue.

After going through the buying guide, you should have a general idea of what the best slow feed dog bowl should look like. To help you slow down your dog’s mealtime, we have gone through the available options and thought of every material in order to bring you the best options. Below is a comprehensive list of the best slow feed dog bowls; let’s check out the list.

We have reviewed each product on this list and provided you with their main features and specs. Having this information will help you make the best choice for you and your pet.