The purpose of a slow feeder is simple: it makes your dog eat more slowly. Built-in ridges and mazes mean your dog has to work around obstacles for each bite, which helps reduce gulping, choking, vomiting and bloating, and turns mealtime into a bit of a brain game.
Dogs can be ravenous little fellas, gulping down their food like there’s no tomorrow. Is your beloved mutt eating so quickly they throw up, have difficulty digesting or choke on their food? A slow feeder may be the perfect solution to stop them inhaling their kibble.
Our team explored dog slow feeders and their pros and cons. Are you wondering if they’re the right choice for you and your pet? Read on!
What Is a Dog Slow Feeder?
A slow feeder or interactive feeder is a dog food bowl or mat with multiple obstacles your pup needs to get around to reach their food. They have to figure out how to get to the food, and then work for it.
Sorry doggies, it can’t be that easy! These feeders slow down how quickly dogs can eat, so they don’t inhale their food along with large gulps of air.
A slow feeder can be shaped like a bowl, but there are also mats, balls and other shapes. They have ridges, nooks, lumps and bumps your dog has to negotiate around, and they come in a variety of materials, from plastic to food-grade silicone.
Slow feeders may look like toys, but they can help improve your dog’s health and comfort and help reduce the risk of digestive problems.
Benefits of Slow Feeders
Complications can arise if your mutt eats too fast, particularly for large breeds. When devouring food, dogs can also swallow a lot of air, causing many issues.
Slow feeders and interactive feeders slow your dog down, which helps limit these issues. (source)
Reduces Choking and Vomiting
A slow feeder slows down the eating process, giving your dog time to chew properly before swallowing. Just like your mom told you when you were younger, chewing your food properly is very important, for humans and dogs alike!
Slowing down means your furry friend has less chance to choke on their food, or even vomit. It also gives them time to digest properly, so nutrients are better absorbed and throw-ups are less likely.
Prevents Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Eating fast can lead your dog to pile too much food into their stomach at once and swallow a lot of air. This can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, gas, bloating and belching. Eating more slowly can help your pet with these problems.
Good digestion makes for a happy pup! And a happy owner, if your dog is a gassy one.
Promotes Mental Stimulation
Many slow feeders are designed to make eating more of a challenge by making the food harder to reach. This turns mealtime into a kind of puzzle, giving your dog mental stimulation.
They need to think about how to get to the food and use their memory. This mimics natural foraging behaviour, as your dog uses problem-solving skills to find their food.
More mental stimulation = less boredom, which in turn means less problem behaviour!
Photo courtesy of @zeketheaus
Does My Dog Need a Slow Feeder?
Your dog could benefit from a slow feeder if they:
- Finish their meals in under a minute
- Regularly vomit or bring food back up after eating
- Gulp, cough or gag while eating
- Are gassy or bloated after meals
- Get bored or restless between meals
- Are a large or deep-chested breed (ask your vet about bloat risk)
If your dog is a slow, picky eater, a regular bowl is usually fine.
Are Slow Feeders Good for Puppies?
Yes, for most puppies. Starting early builds calm, healthy eating habits for life and gives growing brains daily enrichment. Choose a size that matches their portion, with shallower ridges so they don’t get frustrated, and a soft, food-grade material that’s kind to puppy teeth.
Introduce it gradually: start by putting a few kibbles in the slow feeder, then build up to full meals over a few days. Small-portion options like the Small Interactive Square Slow Feeder or the 1.75 Cup Interactive Slow Feeder are a great fit for puppies.
Disadvantages of Slow Feeders (and How to Avoid Them)
A slow feeder might not be the right fit for every pup. Here are a few disadvantages to know about, and how to avoid them.
Tooth Damage
There’s a small chance your dog could get frustrated trying to reach their food and bite at the slow feeder’s barriers. If the bowl is made of a hard material, your dog could chip a tooth.
How to avoid it: choose a softer, flexible material like food-grade silicone, and pick ridges that suit your dog’s size so meals are a challenge, not a battle.
Plastic Ingestion
If a slow feeder is made of cheap plastic, your dog might chew off and swallow small pieces, which could lead to health issues.
How to avoid it: skip cheap plastic. For determined chewers, our Extra Durable Interactive Slow Feeder is made to stand up to tougher mealtimes.
Picky Eaters
If your dog isn’t very food-motivated, a deep, complicated slow feeder can put them off their meal.
How to avoid it: start with a simpler design, or try the Universal Slow Feeder Bowl Insert in the bowl they already know. If they still aren’t interested, a regular bowl is the better bet.
Best Slow Feeders for Your Mutt
Think a slow feeder could be right for your furry friend? Here’s how to match a Messy Mutts slow feeder to your dog. (And check out Shelby’s firsthand experience in this review!)
- Interactive Dog Slow Feeder, 3 Cup: the all-rounder for medium dogs, with a simple flower design that encourages your dog to “hunt” for each bite.
- Interactive Dog Slow Feeder, 3 Cup – Extra Durable: for chewers and enthusiastic eaters.
- Interactive Square Dog Slow Feeder, 8 Cup: for large breeds and big appetites.
- Small Interactive Square Slow Feeder, 2 Cup: for small dogs and puppies.
- Interactive Slow Feeder, 1.75 Cup (Dog or Cat): for toy breeds, puppies and cats.
- Universal Slow Feeder Bowl Insert with Suction: turns a bowl you already have into a slow feeder.
Photo courtesy of @aussiealaska
Want to take mealtime enrichment further? Try a lick mat or snuffle mat, read whether elevated feeders are healthier, or find a slow-feeder-friendly recipe in The Mutts Pantry.
Slow Feeder FAQ
Are slow feeders bad for dogs?
For most dogs, no. Slow feeders are safe when they’re made from durable, food-grade materials and sized to your dog. The main risks are a frustrated dog chewing the bowl or a picky eater not finishing meals, which you can avoid by choosing a sturdy design with the right depth of ridges.
Do slow feeders really work?
Yes. By putting obstacles between your dog and their food, slow feeders stretch mealtime out, so your dog takes smaller bites, chews more and swallows less air. Many owners see meals go from seconds to several minutes.
Can I use a slow feeder for my puppy?
Yes, for most puppies. Choose a small, shallow design that matches their portion size and introduce it gradually. Starting early helps build calm eating habits for life.
Can I use wet, raw or homemade food in a slow feeder?
Yes. All Messy Mutts slow feeders work with kibble, wet food, raw diets and homemade meals. Wetter foods spread into the ridges and can make mealtime even more of a challenge.
Are slow feeders dishwasher safe?
Yes. All Messy Mutts slow feeders are dishwasher safe. Give them a quick rinse after each meal so food doesn’t build up in the grooves, then pop them in the dishwasher.
