Do dogs get frustrated with slow feeders

Slow Feeder Dog Bowls: Benefits & Risks Explained

Our dogs love mealtime, no question! But do you suspect your dog might enjoy her food a little too much? Does she wolf down her food like its her last meal? Your dog might benefit from eating her meals from a slow feeder bowl. These bowls are rather unusual looking, but they do a great job at slowing your dog down while shes eating.

When Dogs Eat Too Fast

Unfortunately, there are complications that can arise if your dog eats too fast, particularly if shes a large or giant breed. When gulping down food, they tend to also gulp down a lot of air, leading tobloat or stomach dilatation(the medical term is gastric dilatation and volvulus, also called GDV) that can be fatal. They can also encounter gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, and choking.

Why Is Your Dog Eating So Fast?

Before you do anything else, its a good idea for you to try to determine why your dog gulps her food down like theres no tomorrow.

• If you have other dogs, your dog might be inhaling her food out of a sense of competition. You can feed each of your dogs in separate rooms to help prevent this.
• Is your dog hungry? How often do you feed her? If youre giving her one meal a day, try giving her two to four smaller meals spaced out throughout the day.
• Similarly, if your dogs meals consist of very high nutrient and caloric food, this can limit how much your dog can eat at mealtime. Your dog might slow down while eating if you switch to a high fiber and lower calorie dog food, which also means giving her more food for each meal.

If these ideas and scenarios arent relevant, and your dog seems to be overly hungry most of the time, you should consider taking her to the vet. The veterinarian will run tests to rule out any common issues that might cause your dogs hunger.

However, if you are quite convinced that your dog wolfing her food down is a behavioral trait, thats when the slow feeder bowls can come in handy.

• Determine proper dog food portions and ideal daily intake with our helpful calorie calculator here.

What Exactly Is a Slow Feeder Bowl?

Slow feeder bowls are dog food bowls that have a bunch of obstructions built into them. These slow feeders come in a variety of different materials; brightly colored plastictostainless steeland offer a number of obstacles for your dog to figure out in order to get to the food.

They use ridges and other lumps and bumps that your dog needs to negotiate around so he can eat. Some look like mini labyrinths, and others even look like games or puzzles, but these bowls can help prevent serious medical conditions.

Benefits of Slow Feeder Bowls

One of the primary benefits should be pretty obvious: slow feeders slow your dog down while eating. Regular bowls work very well for dogs that dont inhale their food. The obstructions in a slow feeder make eating more of a challenge, so it takes longer for your dog to eat; this also means she wont be gulping down all of that air and causing GDV.

But there are other advantages:

• Less Likely to Choke:Slowing down the eating process also means a much less likely chance of your dog choking on her food. It gives her time to chew up the food before she swallows it.
• Better Digestion:Some dogs eat so fast that they might vomit afterward. These bowls give your dog the time to digest her food properly, so shell gain the appropriate nutrients and is much less likely to throw up after eating.
• Portion Control: Because your dog ends up taking more time to eat, it allows her to feel full when shes finished eating. The faster you scarf down your food, the more likely youll feel hungry when youre finished with your meal. Your stomach hasnt caught up with the food yet.
• Changes Eating Habits: Perhaps your dog has developed the habit of wolfing down her food because you own other dogs that tend to eat from each others bowls. Or possibly shes a rescue dog who developed bad eating habits. The slow feeder bowls force the dogs to change their eating habits without you needing to do anything else.
• Memory Skills: These bowls not only slow down your dog while eating but it keeps her mind sharp. Depending on the bowl, many of them are designed to make it more of a challenge for the dog to get at the food. This provides very valuable mental stimulation as it turns into a kind of puzzle.

So, the benefits range from the physical to the mental well-being of your pup but are there any disadvantages?

Drawbacks of Slow Feeder Bowls

Weve established that there are many benefits to the slow feeder bowls, which makes it rather difficult to believe that there could be any disadvantages. But there are.

• Damage to the Teeth:If your dog is particularly enthusiastic while eating, there is a risk that she might damage her teeth. Some dogs might become frustrated trying to get at the food, and if the bowl is made from a durable material, this is a possibility. But the chances of this occurring are not very high.
• Plastic:If you purchase a plastic bowl that is cheap and made with softer material, theres a chance that your dog might end up eating small parts of the bowl.
• Cleaning:Washing these bowls is definitely more of a challenge, thanks to all of the nooks and crannies. The more the bowl is a puzzle and harder for the dog to eat from, the more difficult it will be to clean.
• Mess:Dogs are more prone to making a mess while eating from these bowls, especially while trying to get at the food. Some dogs might even knock them over in their eagerness to get at the food. If you have a strong dog and believe this might be an issue, be sure to invest in a bowl that is stable and heavy.

If you find the right bowl for your dog, these problems more than likely wont be a problem.

A Few Notes

Just a few notes on finding the right bowl for your dog. Slow feeders wont work for any dogs that are picky eaters and arent necessarily motivated by food. Your dog could go hungry and really should only eat from regular bowls.

If you have a large dog, opt for the large and sturdy bowls and the smaller bowls for the smaller dogs. The more enthusiastic the eater, the sturdier the bowl should be.

Also, if your dog initially struggles with the new bowl, particularly if its a challenging puzzle slow feeder, take some time to show her how it works. Be patient, and shell pick it up eventually.

Conclusion

Its good to have options when your dog loves to gobble down her food. You can also make your own version of a slow feeder if you cant afford a new dog bowl. Filling up some muffin tins can help slow a dog down. Or just try scattering small amounts of food in different places, if you dont mind the mess. And if you give your dog canned food, try smashing it up against the sides and into the corners of her bowl. It will take more work for her to lick it out.

We hope weve helped you and your literal chowhound with this problem. We all know what its like to be so hungry that you could eat almost anything, but we want your dogs to live long and healthy lives, and they need to, well, not eat everything in sight. All at once.

See also:

Featured Image Credit: Longfin Media, Shutterstock

Slow Feeders: Why Dogs Need Them And What Happens If They Eat Fast

I have a yorkie who makes his food disappear faster than a magician can if I dont give him a slow feed bowl. Theres still a burp after every meal, but at least theres more time now between me putting the food down and him actually finishing it.

Dogs need slow feeders to make them eat slower, which is healthier. Eating fast can make dogs vomit, burp, get flatulence, bloat, or even end up in hospital. Slow feeders force a dog to work around a puzzle or obstacle to reach their food.

There are many reasons to give a dog a slow feed bowl, but did you know that not every dog needs one? Its important to understand the pros and cons of this puzzling mealtime feeder before getting one.

Why dogs should eat slowly

Dogs should eat their food slowly. When dogs eat too fast, they take in air with their food. This air can cause many health issues and discomfort, from bloating and tummy sensitivity, to a twisted stomach and an emergency visit to an animal hospital.

In mild cases, swallowed air travels through the gut and simply causes flatulence, or it comes out as burps.

Dogs that eat too fast often vomit or gag after meals from swallowed air. This gagging and vomiting brings stomach acids and food into the throat and esophagus, which can damage these organs over time.

But did you know that bloat is dangerous and can kill a dog?

Swallowed air can make a dogs stomach bloat, which makes the dog very uncomfortable.

If they play or run around too soon before or after a meal with all this air in their stomach, they risk the chance of their stomach flipping or turning over. When this happens, the pipes to and from the stomach are closed, stopping the blood supply and natural movement through the digestive system.

The dogs stomach becomes swollen, he/she struggles to breathe, and the stomach could burst.

A turned stomach is a medical emergency and needs a vets attention. Unfortunately, dogs can die from this condition.

Why dogs need slow feeders

Many dogs eat too fast. They may do this because they are hungry, love food (are food driven), are anxious, bored, have parasites that make them hungry all the time, or they are trying to get all their food down before another animal steals it from them.

Slow feeders are good for dogs because they slow down the rate at which dogs can eat their food. Slow feeders make it impossible for dogs to gulp down food, which lessens the amount of air they take in with their food. This reduces the risk of the dog choking, vomiting, or getting bloat.

Not every dog needs a slow feeder, but every dog can benefit from using one. The following breeds and traits in dogs make them more likely to get bloat than other dogs:

• Dogs that eat very quickly, like theyre in a fast-eating competition
• Dogs that eat from a raised food bowl
• Large breeds that are older than 5, such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers
• Giant breeds older than 3, such as Irish Wolfhounds, St Bernards, Great Danes
• Dogs that like to run around and play immediately after eating
• Deep-chested dogs, with chests that reach or fall below their elbows, such as Dobermans, sighthounds, Standard Poodles, St Bernards, and Boxers

If your dog is any of the breeds or has any of the traits above, it might be a good idea to switch over to a slow feed bowl.

Why puppies need slow feeders

Eating fast is just as risky for puppies as it is for older dogs. Puppies tend to be greedy little guys or gals and often love to run around and play, even if theyve just had their breakfast.

Puppies should be given a slow feeder bowl to stop them from eating fast. The puzzle in the slow feeder makes it impossible for a puppy to quickly swallow all the food in the bowl, which minimizes the amount of air they take in when eating. This lessens the chance of the puppy getting bloat and becoming sick after eating.

How slow feed bowls work

Slow feed bowls are bowls with raised pieces or a puzzle inside. Kibble is placed along the pathways in the puzzle or around the raised pieces. The dog needs to lick and scoop out the kibble in these paths. Because it takes time and accuracy to do this, the dog automatically eats slower than when he/she has access to all the food in a regular bowl.

How often to use a slow feeder

A slow feeder should be used whenever a dog is fed. It is better to divide a dogs daily food allowance into two smaller meals. Use the slow feeder to feed your dog breakfast in the morning and dinner at night.

The pros and cons of a slow feeder dog bowl

The pros and advantages of using a slow feeder

A slow feeder dog bowl has many advantages when used correctly. Slow feeder bowls

slow down dogs that eat fast, which prevents burping, flatulence, vomiting, gagging, and bloat

give dogs mental stimulation and curb boredom

fulfil dogs natural instinct to work for food (like dogs do in the wild)

give dogs time to feel full, so they are less inclined to eat as much as when they eat quickly

make eating more fun for dogs, because of the game of hunting kibble in a puzzle

The cons and disadvantages of a slow feed dog bowl

By now you might be wondering if there are any disadvantages to giving your dog a slow feed bowl. Lets take a look at the list of cons.

Slow feeder bowls

can be a bit more expensive than normal dog food bowls

can make eating more difficult for dogs with flat faces because the shape of their face may make it difficult to reach the food inside the puzzle (lick mats are a better option for flat-faced dogs, which well talk about later)

can be difficult for some dogs to understand: Start with simple puzzle bowls and move on to more challenging slow feeders as your dog learns whats expected from them to get to the food

need to be matched to the size and eagerness of your dog: Dogs that chew their bowls or larger dogs may need a stronger and pricier slow feeder than smaller or calmer dogs

Slow dog feeders can help with vomiting

Slow dog feeders can help with vomiting if a dog vomits from eating too fast. The air that a fast-eating dog sucks in when eating may cause vomiting and gagging. Slow dog feeders will stop the dog from eating so fast and reduce the amount of air swallowed with meals, which might stop vomiting altogether.

The best slow feeder dog bowls

I did some research to find the best slow feed dog bowls on the market today and there are a lot of wonderful options, with all materials, and to suit all kinds of budgets. Lets take a look:

The best stainless steel slow feeder dog bowl

Recommended bowl: Neater Pet Brands Slow Feed Bowl from Amazon

This stainless steel pet bowl is Amazons choice and comes with very high customer ratings.

There are two sizes to choose from, medium and large, and what I like is that it is designed to make it difficult for your dog to tip over the bowl, with a larger base and a rubber ring around the bottom.

You can read my article on how to stop your dog from tipping over their bowl HERE.

I personally dont use stainless steel bowls for food as my dogs dont like the sound these bowls make or the feeling when they hit the bowl with their teeth. But many dogs love stainless steel bowls and theyre the most hygienic of all dog bowls out there.

The best ceramic slow feeder dog bowl

Recommended bowl: BestVida Sparks Premium Stoneware Bowl from Amazon

This is the worlds first ceramic slow feeder, with a patent pending.

There are many pros to getting a ceramic slow feeder: Theyre hygienic as long as there arent any chips in the ceramic, theyre dishwasher safe, microwaveable, and even freezer safe.

This bowl is heavier than metal and plastic bowls, but the weight will also stop your dog from flipping the bowl.

And it comes in a range of colors, from orange or green, to white or blue.

Best plastic slow feeder brand

Recommended bowl: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl from Amazon

This is an extremely popular slow feed bowl that forces dogs to eat 10 times slower than regular bowls. These slow feeders come in a range of sizes and colors.

The non-slip base prevents dogs from tipping over the food bowl. Plus, its made with food-safe, lightweight plastic thats BPA, PVC, and phalate-free.

The best slow feeder dog bowl for flat-faced dogs

Recommended bowls:

Hyper Pet SloDog Lick Mat from Amazon

Lickimat Tuff, Heavy-Duty Dog Slow Feeder from Amazon

A lick mat is a great option for dogs with flat faces. Lick mats have a much flatter/lower surface than traditional slow feeders, so flat-faced dogs find it easier to reach the kibble, dry or soaked, and lick it straight out of the shallow holes.

This still slows down their eating speed.

If you have a French Bulldog, or want to try another slow feed bowl for your flat-faced dog, then theres also the four-leaf clover slow feeding dog bowl (Amazon link). This bowl has four larger holes to accommodate a flatter dog face.

Its made of resin thats food safe and easy to clean.

More tips to stop a dog from eating too fast

Here are some other things you can do to slow down a dog that eats too fast:

• Try different slow feeders so your dog doesnt learn how to use one quickly. Every time your dog tries a new puzzle, he/she will have to spend time figuring it out, which will slow down eating.
• If youre at home during the day, take your dogs daily food allowance and break it up into several smaller portions. Feed small portions throughout the day in a slow feed bowl or use these portions as treats for calm behavior during the day.
• Hide kibble in small bowls around the garden or house, then let your dog go hunting for food.
• Get a qualified animal behaviorist to help you train your dog to trust the people and animals around him/her. Sometimes dogs eat fast as a way to protect their food, so no one else can get it before theyve finished eating it. If this is the case, you may be able to break the habit by teaching your dog that the food is safe, and no one will try to take it.
• Take your dog to the vet for a checkup and de-worm your dog monthly, to make sure there arent parasites making him/her hungry all the time.