Finding the best slow feeder bowls for dogs can make a world of difference for your pup's mealtimes. If you're not sure what they are exactly, well, simply put, they're uniquely designed dog bowls with ridges, mazes and other obstacles built inside to help dogs eat at a more relaxed pace. They're made this way to ensure your pup can't just gobble up their food in a matter of seconds, enabling them to slow down and enjoy a healthier, more engaging eating experience. Whether you've got a ravenous puppy or a grab-loving adult dog on your hands, a slow feeder could be just what you need to make mealtimes more manageable and enjoyable for both of you.
As every pet owner knows, dogs are passionate about their food (sometimes a little too much). Many pooches will gobble up their entire meal in a matter of seconds, barely chewing and forgetting to breathe between bites. Eating their dog food with such speed can pose serious health risks. These include choking, gagging, vomiting and in some extreme cases, gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening condition that is more commonly known as bloat. Your dog slowing down at chow-down time isn't just a matter of their manners; it's a matter of health, and a slow feeder dog bowl can help with this.
Best slow feeder bowls for dogs at a glance:
Slow feeder bowls for dogs are clever feeding tools that will turn mealtimes into fun, mentally stimulating activities. Instead of your dog being able to inhale their dry dog food or wet food in seconds, slow feeders make them work a little harder for their grub by making them navigate around raised patterns and shapes to access each bite. This slows down their eating pace and reduces the risk of digestive issues, but also provides some added mental enrichment. For pups that tend to get bored easily or need some more stimulation throughout the day, a slow feeder can serve as a puzzle toy for your pooch, too, so using one is a win-win.
If you're ready to make the switch to a slow feeder dog bowl, keep reaching. In this guide, we've rounded up the best slow feeder bowls for dogs, taking into account feedback from real pet parents online who've used these bowls with their own dogs. We've also consulted with Ciara Pollen, Behaviour and Training Specialist at Woodgreen Pet Charity, to get expert insight on why slow feeders work and how to choose the right one for your pooch. Let's get the lowdown on the bowls that will make chowing down a healthier and happier experience for your pooch.
Best slow feeder bowls for dogs
Best slow feeder bowl for dogs overall
Outward Hound/AmazonWith over 68,000 reviews on Amazon alone and an average star rating of 4.6 out of five stars, the Outward Hound Slow Feeder Dog Bowl is a popular choice with dog owners, which is one of the many reasons why it has earned our top spot for best slow feeder bowl for dogs. It’s available with a choice of patterns inside, so it can be suitable for pooches of different sizes, ranging from tiny terriers to food-loving labradors. It’s made from BPA, PVC and phthalate-free plastic, so it’s safe and dishwasher-friendly (which is a win for us pet parents). It has a non-slip base too, so it’ll be nice and sturdy while your pup is chowing down.
There are a few reviewers who mention that their flat-faced breeds, such as pugs or bulldogs, found the ridges in this bowl a bit tricky to navigate, but overall, feedback for their bowl has been really positive. Some pet parents have found that their dogs who used to finish their food in under a minute are now spending up to 10 times longer at the bowl, and that not only are their dogs eating more slowly, but they also seem more mentally stimulated during meals.
Pros
- Available with a choice of patterns inside so it can be suitable for pooches of different sizes
- Made from BPA, PVC and phthalate-free plastic, so it’s safe and dishwasher-friendly
- Non-slip base so it'll be sturdy while your pup is chowing down
Cons
- There are a few reviewers who mention that their flat-faced breeds, such as pugs or bulldogs, found the ridges in this bowl a bit tricky to navigate
Best interactive slow feeder bowl for dogs
Nina Ottossonwww.petsathome.com
If you're on the hunt for a slow feeder that doubles as a brain-boosting puzzle, consider the Nina Ottosson Puppy Lickin' Layers Interactive Game & Feeder. This playful, multi-layered puzzle not only helps to slow down speedy eaters but also provides a stimulating mealtime experience as it taps into your pup's natural problem-solving instincts. It's designed with three rotating tiers that encourage dogs to sniff, paw and nudge their way to the food hidden inside. You can hide food inside different compartments in all the levels so it'll keep your canine curious and mentally engaged while eating their din dins, all while reducing the risk of bloating or indigestion from gulping it down too quickly.
Pet parents online love how this feeder turns boring dinners into an opportunity for exciting enrichment, with each mealtime also turning into a mini workout for the brain. That being said, some reviewers found that larger or very determined dogs were able to knock it over to get the food out, so it might be best suited to smaller dogs and gentle chewers.
Pros
- This bowl doubles as a puzzle to give your dog's brain a workout
- There are three rotating levels that encourage dogs to sniff, paw and nudge their way to their dinner
- Lots of compartments inside the three layers to hide food for even more enrichment
Cons
- Some reviewers found that larger or very determined dogs were able to knock it over to get the food out
Best slow feeder dog bowl for flat-faced breeds
Hifrenchies/AmazonFor owners of flat-faced breeds, like French Bulldogs and Pugs, who speedily chomp away at mealtimes, the Hifrenchies Slow Feeding Dog Bowl may be what you need to slow them down. Designed with short-snouted breeds in mind, this bowl has a four-leaf clover-like design inside that will gently slow down your speedy eater without frustrating them. Unlike deeper maze-style bowls that can be tricky to navigate for flat-faced breeds, this Hifrenchies bowl keeps things accessible to make mealtimes calmer, safer and a lot less messy. It's made from BPA-free plastic, so it's tough, and the base is non-slip too.
Customers love that this design encourages better digestion and helps to reduce gas and bloating in flat-faced breeds. A few paw-rents note that this bowl is on the smaller side, so while it won't be the right choice for large breeds, it's perfect for small to medium ones.
Pros
- Has a four-leaf clover-like design inside to gently slow down speedy eater
- As it doesn't have a maze-style design, it's accessible for flat-faced breeds to make mealtimes calmer and safer
- Made from BPA-free plastic so it's tough
Cons
- A few reviewers note this bowl is on the smaller side so not best suited to larger breeds
Best stainless steel slow feeder bowl for dogs
Zolle/AmazonMade from stainless steel, the Zolle Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Dog Bowl is a great choice for serving wet food in as it'll keep it at a consistent temperature as your pup slowly eats it. The stainless steel also ensures the bowl is durable and less prone to rust, so it should last you and your pooch ages. The slow feeder part is made with a soft silicone insert with a suction grip design to keep it in place. As it's removable, it's really easy to keep clean as you can easily get into every nook and cranny of the design, plus you could also use the bowl simply for water when it's not time to eat. It also has a sturdy, non-slip rubber base to keep the bowl in place, preventing spills and messes from happening during mealtimes.
Customers like that the slow feeder part of this bowl can be removed when needed to give the bowl more functionality. That being said, as the slow feeder part is made from soft silicone, it may be more susceptible to chew damage. Reviewers like that the bowl is insulated to keep food and drinks at a nice temperature for your pooch. Some have also mentioned that the bowl was bigger than they expected, so it may be best suited for medium to large breeds.
Pros
- Made from stainless steel so it's insulated, keeping food and drink at a consistent temperature
- Slow feeder part is removable so you can use the bowl for multiple uses and it's also easier to clean
- Has a sturdy non-slop rubber base to keep the bowl in place
Cons
- As the slow feeder part is made from soft silicone, it may be more susceptible to chew damage
Best eco-friendly slow feeder bowl for dogs
Enviropaws/AmazonThis Enviropaws Bamboo Slow Feeder Bowl tackles the issue of sustainability and fast eating in one bowl. It's made from natural, renewable bamboo and cornstarch, so it's a great alternative to dog bowls made from stainless steel, ceramic and plastic. With its non-slip bottom, the bowl is strong and durable enough to stay put, even with the most determined of dogs chowing down at dinner time.
The design of this bowl means that it slows down eating without causing frustration to your pooch. The inside is made to look a bit like a maze, so there's lots for your dog to get their mouth and tongue around, but some users have found that this design makes it tricky to clean, especially when using it with wet food. That being said, it is a dishwasher-safe bowl, so you can pop it in for a machine clean to make things a bit easier.
Pros
- A sustainable option as it's made from bamboo and cornstarch
- Has a non-slip bottom to help the bowl stay put
- The middle is designed a bit like a maze so there's plenty for your dog to get their month/tongue around
Cons
- Some users have found that the design of this bowl makes it tricky to clean, especially when using it with wet food
Best slow feeder dog bowl set
The cleverly designed pecute 3-in-1 Slow Eating Dog Bowl set provides the ultimate mealtime setup, with a slow feeder insert to pour food into, a standard stainless steel bowl, and a non-slip silicone mat to catch any mealtime messes your pooch may find themselves making. The slow feeder component is perfect for pups who usually inhale their kibble at lightning speed, as it features a maze-like design to encourage your dog to eat more mindfully, helping to reduce the risk of bloating and indigestion. The fact that it can be inserted straight into the non-slip mat makes setting up for dinner time easy and clean-ups a breeze. Each bowl section lifts out for quick washing, and the mat contains spills, making it a top choice for enthusiastic eaters and splashy drinkers.
Customers appreciate how smart and functional this 3-in-1 pecute set is, as it contains everything you and your pup will need to make mealtimes as straightforward as possible. As the slow feeder section is made from soft materials, it may not be the right option for your pup if they are a chewer, as they could eventually damage it. However, for practicality and ease, it gets big points from me.
Pros
- Comes with a slow feeder insert, a stainless steel bowl and a non-slip mat for the ultimate feeding solution
- Everything can be removed for easy cleaning
- Slow feeder section has a maze-like design to encourage your dog to eat more slowly
Cons
- As the slow feeder section is made from soft materials, it may not be the right option for your pup if they are a chewer, as they could eventually damage it
Best slow feeder bowl for large dogs
Pets at Home www.petsathome.com
Measuring 22cm wide and 7.5cm deep, this Pets at Home Black Anti-Gulp Dog Bowl is made for large food-loving hounds in mind. This bowl features large interior indentations designed to slow down your dog's eating pace, promoting better digestion and reducing the risk of gulping-related issues. At less than £10, it offers good value for those looking for a budget-friendly way to promote healthier eating habits for their pooch.
Pet owners have noted that their dogs now take more time to finish meals since switching to this bowl, leading to improved digestion. As the bowl is quite large, it takes up more room when it comes to storing it away after meals, so that’s something to keep in mind. Overall, though, customers praise this bowl for its sturdy construction.
Pros
- Made with large food-loving hounds in mind as it's 22cm wide and 7.5cm deep
- Features large indentations inside the bowl that are designed to slow down your dog's eating pace
- Great value for money at less than £10
Cons
- As it's quite large, it will take up more room when you're trying to store it out of the way in between meals
How we chose the best slow feeder bowl for dogs
All of these slow feeder dog bowls have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered material, ease of cleaning and mental stimulation in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching slow feeder bowls for dogs to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
Best slow feeder bowls for dogs: FAQs
Do slow feeder dog bowls really work?
"Slow feeder dog bowls make it harder for your dog to take large gulps of food at once, which slows down how quickly they eat and makes meals last longer. They also often encourage your dog to think about how to get the food out, which is great for their brain and makes mealtimes more interesting for them.
"Eating more slowly can improve digestion by encouraging your dog to chew properly. This makes them less likely to overeat or regurgitate their food, and reduces the risk of getting bloat, a life-threatening condition in large or deep-chested breeds where the stomach twists and swells."
Do dogs get frustrated with slow feeders?
"Some dogs can find slow feeders frustrating if it isn’t suitable for them. Make sure you match the type of slow feeder to your dog's anatomy (the shape of their nose and face), so that they can physically reach the food. Your dog's nose shape changes the shape of the bowl they'll need, as flat-faced dogs like French Bulldogs need shallower bowls than long-nosed dogs such as Greyhounds.
"The food your dog eats will also make a difference to the type of slow feeder you'll need.Wet dog food is usually stickier and harder to reach than dry food, which can also impact the clean-up afterwards. If your dog is a chewer, then selecting hardwearing materials is going to be important to get the most value out of your purchase.
"If your dog is prone to giving up or going straight to chewing things to get their food, supervise them when you introduce something new to make sure they're enjoying it. Start with simple and easy puzzles and gradually build up to tougher ones if you think your dog will enjoy it."
Are slow feeders mentally stimulating for dogs?
"Yes, they provide an opportunity for simple problem solving, which can be great for very young or old dogs, those recovering from injury or surgery, or those who haven't practised with puzzle toys before. They also allow your dog to practise their natural foraging behaviour. However, many slow feeders are very simple, and so it's great to provide a variety of enrichment for your dog, whether that's through chews, puzzle and activity feeders, and daily training."
Do vets recommend slow feeders?
"Many vets and behaviourists recommend slow feeders as they have a range of benefits. They slow down your dog's eating, which can prevent choking and bloat, keep them busy at mealtimes for longer, which can reduce unwanted behaviour like chewing and destruction, and add variety to their days, which can improve wellbeing and provide mental stimulation."
This article contains expert advice from Ciara Pollen. Ciara is a Behaviour and Training Specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity, where she supports dogs and their people through one-to-one consultations, group classes and professional training. With a Master’s degree in Zoology from Bristol University and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Animal Behaviour (Canine) underway, she combines scientific insight with practical experience to tackle real-world challenges. She’s been working in dog training since 2017 and holds membership with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Her special interest lies in helping dogs manage frustration and reactivity using kind, effective, evidence-based methods.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.