Some dogs inhale dinner in under a minute. A slow feeder turns the bowl into a small puzzle.
How a slow feeder works
Slow feeders are bowls with obstacles inside, so a dog cannot scoop up more than a few pieces of kibble at a time. Meals last longer, which cuts gulping, vomiting and swallowed air. Others are puzzle feeders and snuffle mats, which add a scent-hunting game to mealtime.
Why it matters for bloat
The AKC reports that fast eaters have about five times the bloat risk of slow eaters. Its prevention list includes slow-feeder bowls, two smaller meals instead of one, and separating dogs at mealtime to reduce stress. It also says raised bowls do not lower the risk, so the bowl style matters more than the height. For the full picture, read bloat in dogs.
Who benefits
- Dogs that gulp, then vomit or cough
- Large and deep-chested breeds
- Dogs eating in company, where they race
- Dogs that need mental work as well as food
Using one at a boarding stay
The kennel supplies bowls, but asks you to bring your own slow feeder if your dog uses one, since a familiar tool keeps mealtimes the same. Mark it with your dog's name and say so on the feeding note. Dogs that have a new bowl at a new place may eat differently, which is one more reason to bring the usual one.
Choosing and cleaning one
For enrichment ideas that use food, see enrichment ideas.
- Pick a size that suits the dog's muzzle; too hard a pattern frustrates a dog.
- Wash it daily, since ridges collect food.
- Start with a gentle pattern at home before the stay.
- Supervise any new feeding tool at first.
A simple at-home trial
Before a stay, serve a few meals in the slow feeder so your dog learns it. Start with a gentle pattern and a normal portion, and watch for frustration. Some dogs work out the bowl in a day; others need a week. If your dog gets stuck or gives up, try a flatter design or a puzzle toy for part of the meal. A dog that already knows its bowl will eat more calmly in a new place, which also helps appetite on the first day of boarding.