Which Slow Feeder Is Right For Your Dog?

Does your dog eat meals so quickly that they make themself sick? Are you concerned about the possibility of bloat? Or, does your dog simply need more enrichment when you have a busy day? Slow feeders can be helpful in all of these situations. These bowls and mats have different obstacles to encourage dogs to eat their meals more slowly and thoughtfully, reducing the risk of bloat, gas, choking, and vomiting. 

When choosing a slow feeder bowl or mat for your dog, there are several points to consider. 

1. Many types are quite difficult for dogs with short muzzles. They are unable to get to all of the food and can become discouraged. 
2. They can be time-consuming for humans, too! Most require supervision, so if you have a busy schedule, you may not have time to wait for your dog to be finished with many of the more difficult ones.
3. Some types can be difficult to clean. Not all are dishwasher safe, or they may have grooves that trap bits of food. Fabric ones may need to be cleaned in a washing machine, which isn’t doable daily for most people.
4. Slow feeders tend to be more messy than standard dog bowls. Many are easily tipped over or moved around.
5. Dogs can get frustrated or stressed if the bowl or mat is too difficult for them. This can be especially tough for rescue dogs that potentially once did not have consistent and safe access to food. Frustrated dogs also tend to lick the bowl or mat more, causing them to swallow more air. This can lead to further problems like gas and bloat. 

Keeping these factors in mind, let’s look at some of the different types of slow feeders, along with some of the most popular or highly rated products of each type.

• Bowls with large obstacles are one of the simplest kinds of slow feeders. They are generally easier for the dog so they take less time. Dogs have to eat along the edges of the obstacle, which can simply be a dome in the middle, or more difficult shapes, such as a bone. 
• A popular example is the Durapet Slow Feed Dog Bowl. It is made of stainless steel, so it is a safer material if you need to leave your dog unattended for meals. This means it is also dishwasher safe, so it’s very easy to clean. It can, like most bowls of this type, be difficult for short-muzzled dogs to eat from. 
• A similar but more difficult type is a bowl with grooves throughout. Dogs have to work harder to get the pieces of food from the edges of the grooves, slowing down their eating. 
• The Outward Hound Fun Feeder is a commonly used bowl of this type. These are made of plastic, so they can be chewed by a determined dog, and they can cause typical issues like chin acne, since plastic can harbor more bacteria. They have several different designs with labeled difficulty levels so it is easy to find one that will work best for your dog. Of course, the bowls with taller grooves will be tougher for short-muzzled dogs to use. These slow feeders are also dishwasher-safe and have a non-slip base to reduce mess. 
• Snuffle mats can be a great option if you want to really slow down mealtimes and give your dog some enrichment. They encourage dogs to sniff through the material to find individual pieces of food. However, if your dog is easily frustrated (or too smart!), they can quickly learn to pick the whole mat up and dump the food everywhere. This can be a messy option!
• A highly rated snuffle mat is the Silicone Dog Mat from the Puzzle Feeder Store. Usually, these mats are made of fleece making them difficult to keep clean for daily meals. Silicone is very easy to clean after meals and this one is also dishwasher-safe. Plus, it can be used with wet or dry food. Short-muzzled dogs also generally have an easier time with this type of slow feeder. It does require supervision, since dogs can chew through the pieces fairly quickly.
• Puzzle toys are another type of slow feeder that can make mealtime more enriching for your dog. These come in a wide range of styles with different levels of difficulty, but it’s important to select ones that aren’t too frustrating for your dog. 
• A popular puzzle toy is the Kong Wobbler. This hollow plastic toy gets filled with kibble, and the dog has to roll it around to get the pieces to fall out of the hole. It’s fairly easy for dogs to figure out while still being fun, it’s dishwasher-safe, easy to clean, and it works well for short-muzzled dogs. On the other hand, it can be loud and messy and dogs move around a lot to use it so it’s not the best for reducing bloat risk. You also can only use dry food with this option. 
• Alternatively, many people prefer the West Paw Toppl. (Be sure to use code 4PAWSADRIFT for a 10% discount at West Paw.) This rubber-like puzzle toy has prongs inside to hold kibble or treats, but it works best with wet food or a combination of food types. It can be frozen, and there are optional stoppers you can purchase to keep the wet food or liquid inside while it is in the freezer. You can also buy two different sizes and interlock them to make it more challenging. It is dishwasher-safe and an easier option for dogs with short muzzles, but it does require supervision if your dog is a tough chewer.
• Finally, silicone/rubber lick mats have become an extremely popular choice for slower feeding and enrichment. These mats have different grooves and shapes that the dog will need to carefully eat around. Wet food works best for this type of slow feeder, but they can be used with any type of food. These are also a better option for dogs with short muzzles. 
• A well-liked example is the LickiMat Slodog Slow Feeder Plate. This mat has shallow pockets for the food to be spread into, and the design doesn’t allow the dog to eat from more than one pocket at a time. It is dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and freezer-safe. These mats do require supervision, as they are very easy for dogs to chew. 
• A popular slow feeder that is a combination of these types is the LickiMat Wobble. This is a natural rubber lick “mat” with small prongs, but in the shape of a bowl rather than a flat mat. It also wobbles, which adds to the challenge and enrichment. This bowl is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean (it can be turned inside out), microwave and freezer-safe, and is a good choice for smaller dogs with short muzzles. It works best with wet food or soaked kibble. If you freeze this bowl, it does require extra supervision, since dogs may chew it to get to the food more quickly. It can also be messy if used with wet foods or treats, since it is meant to tip over. 

While there are many types of slow feeders and countless products to choose from, there should be one (or several!) that is a good match for your dog. Have you tried any of these examples? Which is your dog’s favorite? Let us know in the comments! 

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