Dinner time is certainly one of life’s easiest pleasures for canines, and in case your pup is a serious foodie, they probably scarf down their meals inside seconds. Whereas it could be cute, consuming too quick can lead to choking, digestive points, and meals aggression. Because the mother or father of a white Shih-Poo for 10 years, I’ve loads of private expertise in the case of controlling canines round grub. My secret weapon? A slow-feeder canine bowl.
What differentiates a slow-feeder canine bowl from a standard canine bowl is its shallow ridges and grooves. The patterns make it more difficult to entry meals, which naturally causes canines to eat extra slowly. Dr. Iryna Smyrnova, a veterinarian primarily based in Wooden Dale, Illinois, provides that slow-feeder bowls may also make your canine really feel fuller sooner, which will help with weight administration. Some are even designed as puzzles to stimulate your pup mentally.
Our prime slow-feeder canine bowl picks
We sifted by tons of merchandise and opinions to search out the perfect slow-dog feeders that deserve a gold star. No canine is identical, so we made positive to search out a wide range of merchandise to make your buying journey simpler.
How to decide on the proper slow-feeder canine bowl for you
What dimension of canine bowl ought to I purchase?
Think about the scale of your canine. Bigger breeds want a sturdy bowl that stays planted (maybe a stainless-steel type) to maintain it from shifting round when consuming and deep grooves to accommodate their snouts. Smaller canines, then again, profit from wider and semi-deep grooves, given they’ve shorter snouts. It’s additionally essential to bear in mind the amount of meals the bowl can maintain.
What materials ought to the canine bowl be made out of?
Determine what materials most closely fits you and your canine’s preferences to make the search simpler. Stainless-steel, plastic, silicone, and ceramic are generally used. Materials impacts sturdiness and cleansing, so it’s essential to determine if you wish to prioritize a canine bowl that’s simple to sanitize or is light-weight. Smyrnova favors stainless-steel as a result of it’s long-lasting, simple to scrub, and bacteria-proof. Irrespective of the fabric you select, it’s essential to ensure it’s unhazardous and suitable for eating from.
Does the value of the canine bowl matter?
Costs for slow-feeder canine bowls are typically inexpensive, nevertheless it finally is determined by which materials or type you select. For instance, the good Yakry Automated Canine Feeder begins at $80. Whether or not your funds is on the excessive or low finish, there are tons of nice choices available on the market.
Our prime Kinship-reviewed picks for slow-feeder canine bowls
Our editors (and their pets) picked out these merchandise. They’re at all times in inventory on the time we publish, however there’s an opportunity they’ll promote out. When you do purchase by our hyperlinks, we might earn a fee.
Greatest general
Professionals
Can match as much as 4 cups of meals.
Depth ranges from 2 to 2.75 inches.
Three slowness ranges.
5 colour choices and maze designs.
The underside is non-skid.
It’s dishwasher-safe.
Pricing begins below $10.
Cons
General overview
This slow-feeder canine bowl impresses us on all fronts. Your pup will be sure you take their time when chowing down, but really feel rewarded as soon as they attain their meals. It’s designed for medium-to-large breeds, however some reviewers say it’s really barely too large. Others boast that it’s efficient at slowing down their pups, with one person highlighting that it now takes her pet 20 minutes to eat as a substitute of three. Some additionally favor to make use of this bowl for dry meals over moist.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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Greatest ceramic
Professionals
Is available in three sizes.
The depth of grooves ranges from 1.4 to 2.1 inches.
Ceramic is glazed to fight staining.
It’s dishwasher protected.
The burden helps it keep put.
Cons
General overview
Reviewers spotlight the bowl’s aesthetic and its skill to maintain their canine’s consuming at a gradual tempo. The ceramic seems and feels premium, and can also be microwave-safe if it’s essential to warmth up leftovers. One reviewer additionally boasts that it has elevated their canine’s consuming time from 30 seconds to a few minutes. And in case your pup is on the taller aspect, you should purchase a slow-feeder and stand bundle.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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Greatest automated
Professionals
You possibly can management parts and timing by an app.
It’s made with BPA-free plastic.
Completely different sizes can be found for small and huge canines.
A built-in digital camera is included for while you’re away.
Cons
The bowl doesn’t characteristic a maze sample.
It’s extra dear, but it’s nonetheless below $100.
General overview
An automated slow-feeder is ideal for busy canine dad and mom who’re continuously away at work or tied up with different tasks. Customers say the app is intuitive and easy to make use of, whereas the digital camera high quality is surprisingly good. Relying on dimension and utilization, the meals capability may also last as long as two weeks.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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Greatest puzzle
Professionals
Provides extra problem to your pup’s dinner time.
Fabricated from unhazardous plastic.
Has 4 non-slip rubber mats beneath the bottom.
Works for breed sizes.
It’s a two-in-one deal that’s inexpensive.
Cons
General overview
Canine dad and mom love that the Potaroma Canine Puzzle Gradual-Feeder retains their pup engaged and excited. In addition they discover it extra sturdy than comparable fashions available on the market, with one reviewer saying it doesn’t get destroyed as simply. In the end, it is determined by your canine (large or small) — some say their canines had bother figuring it out.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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Greatest elevated
Professionals
Simple-to-clean stainless-steel is dishwasher protected.
The stand adjusts to 5 heights.
One bowl has a puzzle maze, whereas the opposite doesn’t.
Elevation could make consuming extra snug.
Cons
General overview
The adjustable peak serves totally different functions. Reviewers say it’s nice for when your canine has a development spurt, has a protracted neck or wants higher posture. Whereas some have combined opinions about whether or not or not it really works for his or her small or massive canine, it’s a strong alternative value giving a shot. Customers additionally love its stability and admire the non-slip pads on the backside of every leg.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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Professionals
It is available in two sizes to accommodate totally different breeds.
Dishwasher-safe for straightforward cleansing.
Sturdy and durable for bigger canines.
Cons
Doesn’t provide a lot psychological stimulation.
The medium dimension is offered out.
The dearth of a puzzle might not decelerate your canine sufficient.
General overview
Stainless-steel is straightforward to sanitize and sturdy, however this type is greatest for canines who eat solely barely quick. Reviewers say that whereas it does decelerate their canine’s consuming, they nonetheless inhale their meals comparatively shortly. In case your canine is tremendous keen round meals, a slow-feeder with a puzzle and a number of grooves is greatest.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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Greatest collapsible
Professionals
It’s moveable and compact.
A clip is included to connect to a bag.
The silicone materials is straightforward to scrub and dishwasher-safe.
It might probably maintain as much as 4 cups of meals.
Cons
General overview
Reviewers love the light-weight and compact design of this slow-feeder canine bowl. It’s surprisingly sturdy regardless of having no non-slip grip on the backside. Canine dad and mom additionally spotlight it’s nice for water breaks. Whereas Bonza claims the silicone is tear-resistant, customers say their pup was capable of chew by it. So, it’s in all probability greatest to keep away from it if in case you have a canine who’s on the aggressive aspect.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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Greatest convertible
Professionals
It has a detachable insert that converts into an everyday canine bowl.
Each the silicone and stainless-steel are simple to scrub and dishwasher protected.
It might probably maintain as much as 8 cups of meals.
Cons
General overview
This bowl is a helpful coaching software to your pup. Though the depth is greatest for bigger breeds, smaller canines can profit. As an illustration, it made an especially fast-eating Shih-Tzu / Pug combine dramatically decelerate. Additionally, at all times make sure that to drag out the insert when cleansing — some customers have complained of liquid and meals seeping beneath. Due to this, dry meals would be the most supreme when utilizing this product.
Kinship ranking (out of 5 ⭐)
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FAQs
What’s the greatest slow-feeder canine bowl materials?
Selecting the perfect materials can rely on many components, however finally, one which’s hygienic, sturdy, and durable is right. This may look totally different for each canine, so it’s all about choice and the way they react. As an illustration, silicone can tear from chewing, whereas scratching can harm plastic. On this case, a chrome steel slow-feeder canine bowl is greatest. As for ceramic, it will possibly break or chip if dropped, in order that’s probably not a super materials for a canine who likes to play tough. You additionally need to make sure that any materials you select is unhazardous.
Do slow-feeder canine bowls work?
Gradual-feeders will help change consuming conduct. The ridges and grooves create a barrier that teaches canines to eat extra slowly and tempo themselves. This leads to higher digestion and a diminished threat of choking. The patterns additionally intrigue and problem canines to alleviate boredom.
What are the disadvantages of slow-feeders?
Some puzzles featured in slow-feeders are too complicated and should confuse your canine, main them to eat little or no or drastically prolong meal occasions. Their frustration might make them chew on the bowl, which is a matter if the fabric is silicone or plastic. These bowls may additionally be harder to scrub — meals might get caught within the grooves, for instance.
