Do dog bowls make a difference

Slow Feeder Dog Bowls: Everything You Need To Know (3 Questions Answered)

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If youre like most dog owners, youre always looking for ways to make your pets life better. One way to do that is by using a slow feeder dog bowl.

Does your dog inhales their food, rather than eat it at a normal pace? Fear not, youre not alone! While some dogs eat their food slowly, many dogs are gobblers.

So much so that theres an entire industry that specialises in products that can help your dog to eat more slowly, like snuffle mats or slow feeder dog bowls, but well get into that later.

In this article, well explore the reasons behindwhy your dog might eat quickly, the effects of eating too quickly, and how you can help to slow down your dogs eating with tools such as slow feeding bowls.

Can dogs eat too fast?

Yes, dogs sure can eat too fast. If you ever ate your meal too fast, you know it can have painful consequences, and its not much different for our dogs.

If dogs eat too fast, they may gulp down a big amount of air along with their food, which can cause their stomach to expand, which can lead to painful bloating.

Why your dog might eat too fast

There are a number of different reasons why your dog might be eating too fast, so lets look at them one by one, including what you can try to help your dog eat more slowly.

1. They dont get enough mental stimulation throughout the day

Dogs need to exercise their brain as much as they need physical exercise. Some breeds more than others, but all need some form of mental stimulation throughout the day.

A lack of enrichment can often lead to dogs eating too quickly. Its easy to understand why. Think of it this way: If your dogs day is SO boring that the highlight of their day is meal-time, they may find it hard to control their excitement and gobble down their food.

The good news is that even if youre stretched on time, you can actually provide your dog with mental stimulation during their meal-time by incorporating enrichment feeding into your routine.

2. Social Pressure

When many dogs are fed at the same time or together from just one bowl, a competitive situation can develop in which dogs start to eat quickly in order to get enough food.

If you experience this at home, try to let your dog eat in a quiet place where they wont be disturbed by others.

3. Instinct

Sometimes its just your dogs instinct that causes them to eat quickly. After all, fast eating happens to us humans sometimes too, even though we know that its better for us to properly chew our food and eat slowly so that we can tell when were full.

Do slow feeder dog bowls actually work?

Slow feeder dog bowls are specially designed to slow your dog down while eating and come in many different styles.

They work by adding some physical barriers to the accessibility of food for our dogs. So, in other words, its just a little harder for our dogs to get to the food, so theyll eat more slowly.

Which slow feeder is best for dogs?

Ok this question is a bit of a tough one, because the answer is that it depends a little on your dog. For example, Frenchies might find it challenging to get all the food out if the physical barriers of the slow eating dog bowl is too high. So you might have to try a few different designs before you find out which one works the best for your dog. The two dog slow feeder bowls that are featured below are a great place to start at reasonable prices with great reviews from other dog owners.

Can you put wet food in a slow feeder dog bowl?

Yes, you can absolutely put both dry and wet food into slow feeder dog bowls. In fact, your pup will probably love the variety! But try to rinse the dog slow feeder shortly after your dog is done eating, to make sure it wont get annoying to clean.

How do you wash a dog with a slow feeder?

Some pet parents use a Lick Mat with suction as a hack to make it easier to wash their dog. The purpose is to reward and distract your pup while you do something that they feel a little anxious about.

So, youll use the suction to attach the Lick Mat on the tiles near your tub or shower, and then youll fill it with peanut butter for your dog to enjoy while being washed.

Will a slow feeder help my dog loose weight?

No, a slow feeder will not help your dog loose weight. There are many other factors at play when it comes to weight loss in dogs, including the amount of calories consumed and physical activity. If you think your dog needs to loose weight, its important to discuss the topic with your regular vet first before you take any other steps.

Is it bad if dogs eat too fast?

The thing is that dogs that eat too fast often dont chew their food adequately. As a result, large pieces of food end up in their stomach, which can lead to digestive issues.

Also, when dogs eat fast, too much air can enter their digestive system, which can increase the likelihood of bloating and passing of gas.

Lastly, when dogs eat too fast, their food intake can increase too. In other words, it will take longer for your dog to notice a feeling of satiety.

Dogs who eat this way are therefore more likely to end up overweight, which is especially true for breeds that have an increased risk of rapid weight gain to begin with.

More things you can try to slow down eating

In many cases the quick eating is a learned behaviour that can be difficult to un-learn once developed. That said, there are several more external tools we can use to help our dogs to eat more calmly.

Learn about Enrichment Feeding

Even just a simplescatter hunt as opposed to feeding your dog from a bowl can already make a huge difference and its quick and easy to integrate to your daily routine.

Interactive Food Toys

Studies suggest that dogs may experience positive affective states in response to their own achievements. By using interactive food toys, our dogs need to develop and apply problem-solving skills, which can be a rewarding experience.

Just make sure theyre adequate for your dog and step in if you notice your dog getting frustrated.

Snuffle Mat

Snuffle Mats are a great way to get started with Enrichment Feeding.

Its is an interactive enrichment puzzle that will engage your dogs mind.

Quiet Environment

Let your dog eat in a quiet environment and dont let multiple puppies eat from the same bowl as they might start competing for food which will cause them to eat quicker.

Mix it all up

Keep your dogs mind engaged by adding some variety to meal-times when you can. For example, feed your dog from a slow feeder on one day, then from an interactive food toy on another day, then do a scatter hunt. you get the idea

References

• Fetch by WebMD. Flatulence in Dogs. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/flatulence-dogs#1
• PetMD. Dog breeds prone to obesity. https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/6-dog-breeds-prone-obesity
• National Library of Medicine. Positive affect and learning: exploring the Eureka Effect in dogs. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24096703/

So what size elevated dog bowl do I need anyway?

Dog bowl sizes

Dog bowl size chart

Not sure what dog bowl size is right for your dog? Generally, the required elevated dog feeding station size corresponds to the height of the dog's legs. The ideal dog bowl stand for large dogs especially, needs to be at an equal level to the dog's chest. This will improve overall digestion, prevent messes by taking advantage of our no spill dog water bowls design, and provide a pleasurable eating experience.

As shown in our dog bowl size chart, a good rule of thumb for finding the best size for your elevated dog feeding station is by measuring the height from the bottom of your dog's feet to bottom of their chest. Then refer to the dog bowl size chart, and find the pet height range your dog falls under. Next, match the measured pet height with the corresponding dog bowl height.

5 Benefits of Elevated Food Bowls for Dogs: Myths or Facts?

Over the years, there have been plenty of contention topics among dog owners are grains good or bad?

Should dogs be spayed or neutered before a certain age?

Can they see color?

However, one topic that has repeatedly been questioned is the benefit or detriment of elevated food bowls for dogsand how these now popular raised dog food bowls affect our pets.

What are elevated dog food bowls?

An elevated dog food bowl is any pet food bowl that does not sit directly on the floor. The actual height of elevation of the bowl may vary based on design. There are elevated dog food bowls (also called raised dog food bowls) that come in set elevations for different-sized dogs.

There are adjustable raised pet food bowls that allow owners to choose a specific bowl height.

With the popularity of raised food bowls, many pet owners have wondered if they should ditch their old regular dog food bowls and start their canines on elevated ones due to the potential benefits they provide.

However, there's more to know about elevated pet food bowls than some sources may lead you to believe.

How to pick a raised dog food bowl?

If there are different heights for elevated bowls, how does one find the correct and perfect height of an elevated food bowl for a pet?

If you decide to switch from regular dog food bowls to using elevated feeders for your dog, height is the main component to consider, and it's essential to select a raised bowl at the correct height.

Measuring is key.

How to measure:

The best way to measure your dog to get the right elevated dog bowl is to get your Fido to stand with his legs directly underneath him.

From here, get a tape measure and measure from the floor up to the point where your dogs front legs meet the chest.

Alternately, you can measure from the floor up to your dogs shoulder and subtract between 3 and 6 depending upon his overall height.

You want to subtract 6 for larger dogs, whereas for smaller dogs, you would subtract 3.

Just remember: if you aim to reduce stress on your dog's spine or neck, you should use a raised dog food bowl tall enough to do this.

However, I recommend first reading this article and doing enough of your own research on using raised bowls, and here's why.

Elevated food bowls for dogs have been advertised as having many benefits for dogs' health.

Unfortunately, not all of those advertised benefits hold.

Lets take a look at some of these widely spread truths and falsehoods from a scientific viewpoint.

READ MORE:Mealtime Battle Regular Dog Bowl vs. Raised Dog Bowl

5 Myths and Facts ofElevated Food Bowls for Dogs

1 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Reduce Bloat in Large Breeds

This is FALSE.

When first promoted, raised dog food bowls were sold as something extremely beneficial for larger breed dogs at a higher risk of bloating.

This view was sold as science because it resulted from a statistical study (the Glickman Study).

However, this was no proper study, and the conclusion was extremely flawed.

All that this study did was look at the information of other available, non-science-based literature and anecdotal evidence that already existed and did no research into the matter at all.

In fact, the largest study on contributing factors to canine bloat in larger breed dogs to date says the exact opposite.

Elevated feeding may induce bloating in canines, especially in those with sensitive stomachs.

True, this study wasn't perfect; however, it's the best research paper we have to date.

From what research the scientific community currently has, the idea that elevated feeders can prevent bloat in large-breed dogs is questionable at best.

So, do elevated feeders for dogs reduce bloating in larger breeds? The correct answer here would be that we don't know for sure, but, likely, they DO NOT.

RELATED:5 Reasons Your Dog Has Canine Bloat and How to Prevent It

2 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Create a Healthier Posture for Dogs

This one is both TRUE and FALSE.

Companies promoted elevated food bowls for dogs to prevent bloating in large dogs because they are supposed to create a healthier eating posture.

The truth is that, most likely, dogs have evolved to eat in a head-down posture (sources: 1, 2, 3), so eating in a different posture may not necessarily be a good thing.

With that being said, in theory, this altered posture can be beneficial in other instances, such as older, arthritic, or injured dogs.

When a dog has a case of canine arthritis, joint pain, or immobility issues, eating with a head-down posture can cause excess strain and pain.

By raising your dog's food bowl, your pet no longer has to experience those pains and strains because they do not have to lean down as far to eat.

This has not been researched, though, and is mostly guesswork.

So, is elevated feeding good or bad for older or injured large-breed dogs? There is still controversy here, as I've indicated in my theory.

Since the evidence is scarce to support each side's benefits and detriments, it is a matter of the owner's preference.

RELATED:5 Best Collapsible Dog Bowls for Easy Travel

3 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Promote Cleaner Eating

This is FALSE.

Somewhere along the line (probably with new companies trying to sell the revolutionary raised dog food bowls and making stuff up) came the myth that elevated dog feeders promoted cleaner eating spaces for canines.

We arent sure where this idea came from, but this one is absolutely false and has no scientific or even logical basis.

Because of how dogs evolved to drink water and consume food, regardless of the height of your dog's food bowl, your pet can still spill kibble, drop kibble, or even move kibble outside of his bowl.

When dogs consume food, they have their mouths in the same proximity to the source regardless of height.

There is no science on how elevated dog food bowls promote cleaner eating, nor do we need it; watch your pooch eat.

4 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Don'tSlide Across the Floor

This is TRUE.

One concern that some dog owners have is the fact that their dog moves his bowl across the floor as he eats.

Elevated feeders can certainly prevent this from happening, and there's no doubt about that.

However, it is worth noting that a raised dog food bowl is not the only solution to the problem.

Just off the top of my head, two other things that can solve this issue are bowls with rubber on the bottom that prevents sliding or rubbery dog food mats where you can place your Fido's bowl to prevent sliding (which also helps to keep the area cleaner).

Therefore, because we have reasons to believe that elevated food bowls for dogs pose a potential hazard for some breeds to develop bloating, it may be better to choose alternative solutions to the sliding bowl problem rather than opt for an elevated feeder.

READ THIS:Dog Food Bowls That Slow Down Eating When Do You Need One?

5 Elevated Bowls SolveOne SpecificProblematic Behavior in Dogs

This is TRUE.

One particular behavioral issue in dogs that isn't common but can be seen often enough for owners to start looking for solutions attempting to swim or dig into the water bowls, even if the bowl is small.

Some dogs, particularly those with a high predilection for water, spend a great deal of time trying to paddle in their water bowls as if it's the pool.

There's no explanation for this other than they like to be in the water.

The issue is most common with puppies.

Elevated feeders definitely discourage dogs from turning their water source into a pool.

VIDEO GUIDE:How to Choose the Right Dog Bowl (step by step)

The Final Verdict

Frustratingly, when I try to summarize my conclusions on the benefits of elevated food bowls for dogs, I must admit that there are both benefits and detriments to their use. Overall, I would say that the potential cons of using elevated dog food bowls outweigh the possible pros (unless you have a particular reason to use them).

So if you are considering using a raised dog food bowl for your Fido, my advice is that you weigh these pros and cons against your specific case and your specific dog before making your final decision.

Remember to consider the added cost of raised dog food bowls, especially if you're currently on a budget dog food diet.

Say you have a Great Dane and want to use an elevated feeder to reduce the strain on his neck and spine while eating.

Science indicates that an elevated feeder in larger dogs prone to bloating more easily is contradictory.

So, while your Great Dane may not experience strain in his neck from eating at an elevated feeder, the risk of bloating trumps this benefit.

Say you have a 14-year-old Basenji (a breed not particularly prone to bloat) with a severe case of canine arthritis in the neck, spine, and legs.

You want to use an elevated feeder to assist with posture-related pain and strain.

Common sense indicates that using an elevated feeder in this instance would be beneficial.

Potentially alleviating pain and strain and would not pose concerns of increased risk of canine bloat.

Whatever your decision, definitely speak with your veterinarian before making a switch to a new dog feeder.

Explain the concerns that you have and ask for advice on the best methods to fix them.

Maybe the answer is elevated food bowls for dogs, and maybe it's not.

Common Questions About Elevated Food Bowls for Dogs

If you still have any lingering questions about elevated food bowls for dogs, the following information should help.

Should a Dogs Food Bowl Be Elevated?

You should consider elevating your dogs food bowl if he is elderly or has issues with his joints or bones. Stick to other options if your dog is a larger breed.

Why Are Elevated Dog Bowls Bad?

Elevated dog bowls are only bad for certain dogs. Specific breeds are at a higher risk of bloat if they eat from an elevated bowl.

Do Elevated Dog Bowls Help?

Yes, elevated dog bowls can help your dog, especially if he has bad joints or bones. It can reduce the strain on his joints, including his hips and neck.

Do Raised Dog Food Bowls Cause Bloat?

Depending on the breed, elevated food bowls for dogs can cause bloat. Luckily, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk.

Let your pup take advantage of an elevated bowl.

Are our Raised Dog Bowls Dangerous?

As long as you know the risk of bloat and take proper precautions, raised dog bowls are not dangerous. To be safe, consult your dogs vet before switching him to an elevated bowl.

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