As you start to invest in the pet product world for your lovely pup, you might been buzz around by the slow feeding bowl, and you arouse a few confuse like whether should I get one for my pup and are slow feeder bowls good for dogs?

There is a tons of disoriented information on the web and before you make the decision, it is important to understand the benefit and drawback of slow feeder bowl

What is a slow down bowl?

Slow feeder bowl for dogs is a food bowl with different raised obstacles to make the mealtime like a puzzle game.

They are full of ridges, nooks, crannies, and mazes, to force your dog to figure out how to get food and work for it.

In order to reach the purpose of slowing down the eating pace since it can not be that easy for the dogs

If your dog tend to eat their food way too fast just like a “hungry hunt”, almost like inhaling or devouring, the slow feeder bowl could be a worthy choice

The benefits of use slow feeding bowls for dogs

Prevent chocking and vomiting

The primary advantage of slow feeding bowl is to effectively change the way your dog eats.

Just like we have been taught since we are little, to chew the food properly and slower is very important! The dogs and human are alike.

The special design of the slow feeding bowl let your pup to take smaller bite every time and actually chew on the food

Nutrients are better assimilated and more easier help your dog feel full

Then the less chocking and vomiting happened while they are eating slow

Mental Stimulation

Are slow feeders good mental stimulation for dogs? The answer is always yes. Because they need to think about how to get the food and use their memory.

It replicated their natural behaviors-using the problem-solve skill to find out food.

The slow feeding bowl full fill with interesting maze to engage your dogs’ brain and you might surprised how exhausted they are while finishing the food

Also make it a great boredom buster and help to consume excess energy which means less problematic behaviour.

Improved Overall Digestion

Eating too fast will lead your dog to swallow a lot of air in once with a pile of food

This can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, gas, and bloating.

So to introduce your dogs a healthy eating habit also contribute to better overall health and longer life-span

The Drawbacks of Slow Feeding Bowl For Dogs

Slow feeder bowl not suitable for all the dogs

Not every dog can adapt how the slow feeder works, if your dog is an aggressive eater or have less security of their food consumption such as rescue dogs.

They might be more anxious while they found they can’t get the food as quickly as they used to get

Need to choose the right size for breeds

Some small pup or deep-chested dogs might even hard to reach the food in some type of slow feeder bowl, similarly, the big breeds need more robust bowl which could handle their strength.

Otherwise, it might cause potential chocking hazard by treating the bowl like a chewy toy and swallow the small pieces

Tooth damage and Plastic Ingestion

There might be a chance that your dogs would be discomfort and frustrated about eating slow, they might bit around the barriers of slow feeder bowl or chew them into many small parts

If the bowl is made of cheap plastic or hard material, it can become pieces with sharp edge which will damage their teeth and mouse

Multiple dogs might fight for the food

If you are a family with multiple dogs, you might need to feed them in separately room when using the slow feeder bowl

Because a dog might finish his meal quickly then try to steal the other’s food while one dog eat slower

And it will lead to a fight or food aggression

Tips

If you had made the decision to get a slow feeder bowl for your furry friend

Here are some tips for you

To introduce it gradually

Don’t switch your old-fashion bowl into slow feeder immediately, to start by once a day or few days a week, and it is better to let your dog eat up their food under supervision at the first few times so that you could observe their response to the new bowl and prevent some accident like swallow small pieces while they are alone

Choose the right size and right type

Slow feeding bowl come with different size and designs, from simple to different. Pick the right size for your breeds and maybe start with a simple design one

It would be more easier for them to get used to the slow eating without causing too much anxiety and stress

Encourage them with positive association

The good words and delicious treats always a good way to help you in training dog good behaviors

Reward your dog after finish the meal by slow feeding bowl, maybe just a simple “Good Job!” or a few snacks would help your dog to associate the slow feeder with good things.

After all, are the slow feeder good for dogs is really depends on whether your dog really need it.

Every dog is different, if you notice sign of stress or discomfort, it might be better to explore other options or consult with your vet

The most importance thing to introduce our dogs a health life is the parents to give more patient and make the right choice