Slow down your dog's dinner time with our pick of the best slow feeder dog bowls. Food is a pretty big deal for your beloved pooch, it gives them the energy they need for zoomies and gives them all the nutrients they need to live a healthy life, which is why we understand that some dogs inhale their dog food in seconds.
If you really think about it, they're just acting on their natural hunting instincts. Even though eating all their wet or dry dog food is a good sign, eating it super quickly can cause digestive problems. These problems can be easily avoided by investing in a slow feeder dog bowl, but what are they, and which type is best for your dog?
Best slow feeder dog bowl at a glance
• Best overall slow feeder dog bowl: SUPER DESIGN Slow Feeder Dog Bowl – View on Amazon UK
• Best budget slow feeder dog bowl: Trixie Dog Slow Feeding Plastic Bowl – View on Viovet
• Best slow feeder dog bowl for small breeds: Small Slow Feeding Dog Bowl – View on Amazon UK
Slow feeder dog bowls can help food-driven dogs take their time eating dinner, giving them an interactive and engaging way of enjoying their dinner. Variously known as puzzle feeders for dogs, slow feed dog bowls or a slow feeder they add an exciting challenge to meal times. We've rounded up the best slow feeder dog bowls on the market.
Best slow feeder dog bowls
Best overall slow feeder dog bowl
Amazon Non-slip, made of melamine and dishwasher safe, this SUPER DESIGN Slow Feeder Dog Bowl ticks all the boxes. This medium dog dish is suitable for kibble and wet dog food. Slow fast eaters down to help prevent bloating and indigestion.
Customer review: "My puppy is a vivacious eater. Even though there are rubber feet, she still scoots the dish around a bit. It is low in height, so it doesn’t tip over like a round higher feeding dish would. She is eating slower, which is why I ordered it. Ease of cleaning is good, with a soapy sponge, as a brush doesn’t fit easily in the ‘maze’. Overall really happy with the purchase."
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Heavy, non-slip
- Satisfies dog's foraging instinct
Cons
- Some reviews mention that the bowls are fragile
Best budget slow feeder dog bowl
Viovet www.viovet.co.uk
This simple but effective Trixie Dog Slow Feeding Plastic Bowl comes in three different sizes, making sure all dogs are catered for. It features a non-slip base and the diameter of the bowls range from 23cm to 27cm.
Pros
- Good value
- Available in three sizes
Cons
- No customer reviews
Best slow feeder dog bowl for small breeds
Amazon Small dog owners, rejoice. This CAISHOW Small Slow Feeding Dog Bowl is made especially for small and medium-sized dogs (and cats). Comes in two different feeder designs, Volcanic (easy) and Bone (difficult) to really test your pet as they eat. Also features non-skid rubber feet to make sure it doesn't slide around easily.
Customer review: "This has worked an absolute treat for my dog who got into this weird habit of gulping his food down like we're all going to steal it. The gaps for food in this bowl are much smaller than expected so I wouldn't recommend it for a large breed, but for small dogs, absolutely perfect."
Pros
- Comes with two different designs that suit wet and dry dog food
- Range of colours
- Non-skid rubber feet
Cons
- Rubber feet need to be attached
Best puzzle slow feeder bowl
Amazon Made of polypropylene and BPA-free and non-toxic materials, this IOKHEIRA Dog Slow Feeder Bowl will not only make mealtimes more fun, but it should last years. It also comes in different shapes to engage your dog. It's a breeze to wash by hand or in the dishwasher.
Customer review: "Sturdy, easy-to-use product and it works."
Pros
- Comes in three different colours
- Suction cup base
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not suitable for very large dogs
Best slow feeder dog bowl for large breeds
A bright best-seller, Outward Hound's Fun Feeder is great for big dogs and will hopefully keep your pooch engaged 10x longer at dinner times. The Fun Feeder also has a slip-resistant base to prevent sliding all over the floor and food spillage.
Customer review: "Bought two of these, one for a 2-year-old Labrador and one for a 14-week Labrador who practically inhales all her food! This has worked wonders, to start with it took her 20 minutes but she's gradually quicker. Excellent at not only slowing them down but a good brain teaser for them. Quite expensive but they are good quality, withstanding the frustrated chewing when they struggle with the bits of kibble."
Pros
- BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free
- Range of colours and sizes
- Different styles
Cons
- Not suitable for small dogs
Best personalised slow feeder dog bowl
Etsy www.etsy.com
Make the letters of your dog's name the pattern of your slow feeder bowl. Choose from a whole host of different sizes and colours and choose your personalisation at checkout. The Customized Circle Slow Feeder is a wonderful gift idea.
Customer review: "The bowl is SUPER cute, I ask for a different design than what was in the ad and they were able to customize it how I wanted. They sent me a preview of different options to choose from so it was all perfect. The plastic (although light) is very durable so far. Shipping was pretty fast as well."
Pros
- Made with biodegradable and environmentally friendly material approved for food contact
- Personalise with your dog's name
- Range of colours
Cons
- Ships from Canada
Best slow feeder dog bowl made from natural materials
amazonMade from bamboo fibre and corn starch, PET IMPACT Slow Feeder Dog Bowls have been checked and tested by vets for durability and safety. It's an Amazon's Choice product that's a popular pick and reasonable value for a high-quality puzzle feeder.
Customer review: "The bowl is an expensive option but in comparison to previous bowls of this type we've had clearly way way better quality. It feels sturdy, less plasticky, and almost ceramic. The large is definitely large, it's pretty huge in fact - bigger than I thought it'd be anyway."
Pros
- Made of durable and environmentally safe materials
- Heavy so it stays put
- Chew resistant
Cons
- Doesn't come in small size
Best stainless steel slow feeder dog bowl
Amazon If you prefer a stainless steel dog bowl, this Neater Pet Brands Slow Feeder Bowl is designed to slow your dog down without driving them crazy. Unlike many of this list, the puzzle design is much more simple.
Customer review: "Bought this for our golden retriever puppy, who seems to inhale his food. This works well at slowing his eating down and is also sturdy, so he can't gnaw it as he did with its plastic predecessor. Recommended."
Pros
- Durable
- Doesn't hold odours
Cons
- Small
FAQs
What is a slow feeder dog bowl?
Slow feeder bowls are just like your regular dog bowls, but with specially designed rivets that prevent dogs from eating too fast. They are also called anti-gulp bowls.
There are loads of different designs, from simple plastic nobbles to whirly maze-like patterns, so the dog has to push dry food with their paw or tongue to get access and stop your hungry dog in its tracks. The fact that they have to work to get their food is also great for their brain activity, as it mimics natural behaviours, as in the wild a dog has to hunt to get a meal.
When should you use a slow feeder dog bowl?
All dogs (and humans) are a little guilty of eating far too quickly when their stomach starts to rumble, but eating slowly makes for good digestion.
If you notice your dog gulping down their wet or dry dog food in seconds every single day or stop signs of discomfort, gas, bloating, and belching after they eat, it is time to look into a slow-feeder dog bowl.
Are slow feeder bowls suitable for puppies?
If you want to encourage your puppy to slow down when eating it will certainly benefit from a slow feeder bowl. However, as your pup is only young, the main goal is to make sure it eats all of the food so it continues to grow, always monitor your pup to make sure there are no problems with digestion and if you spot any problems consult your vet first before switching up eating habits.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle, three cats and a tortoise called Bobby.