Does your dog gobble down food in record time? If the answer to this question is yes then you may not be aware that it could potentially lead to some serious medical problems and unfortunately in some dire cases, it can be fatal.
This condition is called Bloating or Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV). It is often more widely known as twisted stomach. Bloating is the second biggest killer of dogs after cancer. Once a dog develops this condition immediate veterinarian intervention is required so it’s important to be aware and to know the warning signs which we will cover in this article.
The best way to try and prevent this condition from developing in the first place is to try and slow down feeding times. I know it’s a lot easier said than done but in recent years the slow feeder dog bowl has been designed and developed to make it harder and more difficult for your dog to access the food. In this article, we have selected our top five choices for slow feeder dog bowls.
Slow Feeder Dog Bowls | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl |   | Our Rating 4.7 | |
| Super Design's Slow Feeder Bowl |   | Our Rating 4.5 | |
| Mr. Peanut's Stainless Steel Interactive Slow Feed Dog Bowl |   | Our Rating 4.4 | |
| Raw Paws Slow Feeder Dog Bowl |   | Our Rating 4.4 | |
| The Omega Paw Portion Pacer |   | Our Rating 4.3 |
Top Picks: Best 5 Slow Feeder Dog Bowls 2022 |
No 1. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl
The Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl makes our top selection for slow feeder dog bowls and it is one of the most popular slow feeders available. These slow feeder bowls are vet recommended to help slow down mealtime by up to ten times and so prevent bloating and canine obesity. You can use dry, wet, and even raw food.
This company offers a selection of 3 sizes so if you have a Chihuahua or a Great Dane there should be a size to suit. The large size bowl can take up to 4 cups of dry kibble, the small can hold two cups and the extra small will hold 3/4 cup. There are various colored designs specifically made with different designs to slow down speed eating. They also come in various colors to suit every taste.
The bowls are made from food-safe materials, ABS plastic that is free of BPA, PVC, and Phthalate.
If you have more than one dog and are looking at multiple bowls then please note that each color has a different design and only the same colored bowls will stack safely on top of each other for storage. The pink and blue bowls are not as deep as the green and orange bowls. If your dog has a short snout or a Brachycephalics breed then the best option would be the purple style slow feeder bowl.
Key Features
- Veterinarian recommended Slow Feeder Bowl
- ABS plastic is free of BPA, PVC, and Phthalate.
- 3 Sizes & 7 Different Styles to Choose
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-Slip Base
The Pros
Large selection of different styles and colors to choose that should suit all dogs from small to large breeds.
Very popular choice for many dog owners
Easy to clean and it is dishwasher safe. The anti slip base helps steady the bowl
Food safe bowl free of ABS, PVC
The Cons
Some dogs with shorter snouts may find it difficult to access the food.
Different colored bowls have different designs so if have more than one bowl in different colors they will not stack on each other for storage
No 2. Super Design’s Slow Feeder Bowl
Super Design’s Slow Feeder Bowl is another great choice for fast dog eaters who gulp down their meals in record time. This bowl is suitable for all dog sizes as the sizes available include 1/2 cup, 1.5 cup, 2.5 cups ad 4 cups. This slow feeder dog bowl is designed to slow down the eating rate by at least 5 times. There are 3 raised columns so it will not confuse and irritate your dog with a complicated maze system as the food is still accessible.
The bowl is made from Food Grade A5 Melamine that is free of BPA, PVC, and Phthalate. Unlike other plastic bowls, this bowl has a high gloss shine and it is even acid and alkali corrosion resistant.
Any type of food can be used in the bowl from kibble to wet food canned food.
Measurements for the Medium Bowl
Base Diameter – 7 inches
Bowl Diameter 5.5 inches
Height of Bowl 2.5 inches
The bowl measures 7 inches in diameter
Key Features
- 4 Sizes available – 1/2 cup, 1.5 cup, 2.5 cups ad 4 cups
- Good weight to bowl with anti-slip base
- Made from Melamine that is free of BPA, PVC, and Phthalate
The Pros
Large selection of sizes to suit – 1/2 cup, 1.5 cup, 2.5 cups ad 4 cups
The weight of the bowl prevents sliding & it has an anti-slip base to prevent spillages
Easy to clean as dishwasher safe
The Cons
As the bowl is made from melamine you must be careful not to drop the bowl as otherwise, it could shatter
No 3. Mr. Peanut’s Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Stainless Steel
Mr. Peanut’s Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Stainless Steell is another great choice if your dog is a speed eater. It is made in the USA and run by a family owned business. This bowl has a “Bundit” cake design. This makes your dog move around the bowl to access the food so ensure there are no obstructions in the way during mealtime. This helps encourage your dog to eat at a slower pace to prevent digestion and bloating problems.
The bowl suits all dog sizes as it comes in small, medium, and large. The small holds 1.5 cups, the medium holds 2 cups, and the large holds 3 cups. The base of the bowl has a blue silicone strip surrounding it. This ensures that the bowl will not move around when your dog is feeding. Silicone is used instead of rubber as it has been proven to last 5 times longer than rubber and also there is none of that rubbery smell from silicone.
Medium Bowl Measurements
Base Diameter – 9.75 inches
Bowl Diameter 7.1 inches
Height of Bowl 1.9 inches
The bowl measures 7 inches in diameter
Key Features
- This low feeder dog bowl has a “bundit” cake design
- Made from stainless steel
- Sizes available – small, medium, and large
- Dishwasher safe
The Pros
Good quality dog bowl that is made from stainless steel so it should last a long time and will not shatter if dropped.
Easy to clean
100% Money-Back Guarantee
The Cons
Some users had an issue with the anti-slip silicone coming off at the base of the bowl
No 4. Raw Paws Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
Raw Paws Slow Feeder Dog Bowl is a well-designed bowl with raised barriers that requires your dog to forage for their food. This bowl comes from a family-owned American business located in Indiana, U.S.A.. It holds 1.5 cups so it is best suited for small to medium-sized dogs.
The bowl is safe for pets as it is made from safe plastic and it is free of BPA, PVC, and Phthalate. It is also top-rack dishwasher safe. Raw Paws stand behind their slow feeder bowl and so offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Key Features
- Well designed bowl with raised barriers.
- Suitable for small to medium dogs as holds 1.5 cups.
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
- Free of harmful BPA, PVC and Pthalate.
The Pros
Family-owned American company
Good quality bowl with raised barriers
Dishwasher safe
The Cons
Not suitable for large dogs
N0 5. The Omega Paw Portion Pacer
If you are looking for an alternative to a traditional slow feeder bowl then this ingenious product could be the solution. The Omega Paw Portion Pacer has been designed to ensure that your dog does not gobble down the food in seconds and it is estimated that it can help slow down feeding by 8 times.
This stainless steel ball is placed in a regular dog bowl. Your dog may take a bit of getting used to it but after a while, most dogs have no difficulty eating around it. Suitable only for medium to large dogs as smaller pooches would have difficulty pushing the ball. The ball is weighted and it will not move around on its own. It is not that heavy coming in at 8 oz and with dimensions of 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches.
The good news on the cleaning front is that the ball can be easily cleaned and it is also dishwasher safe. The downside with the ball is that some users found that their larger dogs would remove the ball from the feeding bowl as it was light enough for them to lift at 8 oz so it’s not suitable for every large dog. Other users found that the ball worked great and slowed down feeding times considerably.
Key Features
- A unique alternative to the traditional slow feeder dog bowl.
- Made of stainless steel & weighs 8 oz (not solid)
- Dimensions of 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches.
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
What is Bloating or GDV?
Bloating, also known as Gastric Dilation and Volvulus, can happen to any dog and is classified as a medical emergency so the sooner you seek veterinarian care the better. What happens is that the stomach swells and increases in size dramatically.
If this condition is left untreated the stomach twists and pivots. This twisting effectively closes the exit and entry points of the stomach consequently making it impossible for the dog to pass the stomach contents. The stomach continues to swell due to the buildup of gas from the fermentation of the contents,
The dog will go into shock as the blood supply to the stomach is severely compromised with the twist and if not successfully treated will lead to death. Unfortunately bloating can occur in otherwise healthy and normal dogs so it’s important to be able to tell when your dog is bloated as immediate medical attention will be required.
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Benefits of Slow Feeder Dog Bowls
Reduces Risk of Bloating
The main aim of these bowls is to slow down the rate your dog consumes meals. This reduction in speed lowers the risks of the development of this dangerous bloating condition.
The design of these Slow feeder bowls ensures that accessing the food is more difficult for your fur baby. However, it should not stop your dog from eating though but they need to try harder to access their food. There are various different styles of slow feeder bowls so it’s a matter of trying to see what works best for you and your dog.
Helps Reduce Flatulence
A slow feeder bowl can help your dog digest meals at a slower rate and so help reduce the build-up of gases in the stomach and consequently have a positive effect on reducing flatulence.
Reduces Anxiety
Knowing that your dog has a slow feeder bowl can help reduce your own anxiety over bloating. Although there is no 100% guarantee that bloating will not happen it certainly reduces the odds of it striking and that can give you peace of mind. Dogs become members of the family and you would do all you can to help keep them happy and healthy.
Interactive & Fun
Slow feeder bowls are known to stimulate your dog’s brain as they need to figure out how to access the food. It encourages their natural instincts to forage and seek out food and some dogs can really enjoy this experience.
The Warning Signs of Bloating?
There are several warning signs for bloating in dogs to look out for and they include:
Excessive Drooling & Saliva
You may notice that your dog has excessive saliva around the mouth with an unusual amount of drooling
Swollen Abdomen
The stomach area becomes swollen and can sometimes be painful to the touch.
Difficult To Breathe
The expanded stomach pushes on your dog’s diaphragm and this makes it difficult to breathe so breathing becomes labored with short shallow breaths.
Uneasy & Restless
Your dog may become restless and uneasy and possibly have difficulty even standing up or sitting.
Dry Vomit / Retching
Sometimes there can be dry retching and attempts to vomit.
How Long Does It Take Before Bloating Kills A Dog?
Bloating can sometimes last for hours or even days before the stomach eventually contorts and twists. That’s why it is s important to be able to recognize the warning sign and immediately seek veterinarian help. Once the stomach twists it can cut off the blood supply to vital organs such as the heart and lungs and this makes it difficult for these organs to function. This will lead to shock and unfortunately death in many cases.
Can Bloating Occur in All Dogs?
Yes, bloating can occur in all dogs but some dogs are more susceptible than others. Bloating can happen to any dog but it is most common in deep-chested dogs such as German Shepherds and Boxers. However, some deep-chested dogs are more at risk than others and they include the Great Dane, Standard Poodle, Doberman Pincher, Irish Setter, Gordon Setter, and the Weimaraner.
Ways To Reduce Risks of Bloating
- After feeding your dog make sure you wait at least an hour before exercising. This gives your dog a chance to digest food.
- After exercising your dog it is also important not to feed straight away. Give your dog a chance to recover especially if they had a good workout. Normally an hour’s break should be fine.
- You can also try feeding your dog more frequently with smaller meals. Having a smaller load of food will allow your dog’s digestive system to work more efficiently and it will not be over-worked compared to a large meal.
- Try a slow-feeder dog bowl!
- Never elevate the food bowl unless your dog is unable to bend over due to a physical impairment. In the past, it was assumed that having placed a dog bowl at ground level would increase the risk of bloating, and consequently, many dog owners raised their dog bowls to an elevated level. Unfortunately, after numerous studies, it was concluded that elevating food for your dog actually increased the risk of bloating.
- Make sure there is nothing in your dog’s feeding area that could cause anxiety or stress. If your dog is stressed or anxious the food could be eaten in seconds as they would not want to hang around in a “scary” place.
Buyers Guide For Slow Feeder Dog Bowls
What To Consider
Design of Bowl
There are many different styles of slow feeder dog bowls available and some have more intricate designs than others. The more intricate the design the longer it will take for your dog to finish the meal. You should consider choosing a style that will make it difficult for your dog to gobble down food but not make it impossible.
Material
The material used can be something to take into consideration. Many of the slow feeder dog bowls available are plastic and the ones we have chosen in our selection are free of any harmful ABS, PVC, and phthalates.
Some dog owners prefer stainless steel bowls for hygiene reasons.
Non-Skid Base
Having a non-skid base on the dog bowl ensures that your dog will not have to chase the dog bowl around the kitchen floor where half of the contents end up on the floor.
Ease of Cleaning
Having a dog bowl that is easy to clean will save you time and energy. All of the slow feeder bowls we have chosen are dishwasher-friendly.
Conclusion
Our overall top pick for the best slow feeder dog bowl is the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl. It is one of the most popular slow feeders available and it’s vet recommended to help slow down mealtime by up to ten times and so prevent bloating and canine obesity. You can use all types of food in this bowl, dry, wet, and even raw food.
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Sources
- https://animalhospitaloffairfield.com/preventing-bloat-gastric-dilatation-volvulus-dog/
- https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/gastric-volvulus-bloat-dogs
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/bloat/
- https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/12/15/cancer-is-leading-disease-related-killer-of-dogs-and-cats
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bloat-gastric-dilatation-and-volvulus-in-dogs
General FAQ
Are dog slow feeders good for dogs?
Slow feeders are good for dogs as they help dogs digest meals at a slower rate by slowing down the rate of eating. This helps reduce the build-up of gases in the stomach thereby reducing the serious risk of bloating, reducing flatulence and vomiting of food. They can also stimulate your dog's brain to access food.
How Do Slow Feeder Bowls Work?
Slow feeder bowls are specifically designed to ensure your dog does not gulp down food. The bowl is designed in such a way as to make it difficult but not impossible to access the food. Normally there are grooves or circular patterns and your dog will need to use his brain to access the food.
When should a dog use a slow feeder bowl?
A dog should use a slow feeder bowl if he rapidly eats and gulps down his food in record time. This gulping of food and air can lead to dangerous bloating or twisted stomach which can prove fatal.
