Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls

Meal time is a favorite for many dogs! While using a regular dog bowl works for a lot of dogs, some may benefit from a more creative way to ear. Slow feeder dog bowls provide a more stimulating way to feed your dog while slowing them down. Check out our recommendations for the best slow feeder dog bowls!

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Why to use a slow feeder dog bowl

If you have a dog who gobbles their food dog in seconds, consider buying a slow feeder dog bowl. This has many health benefits including better digestion, reduced risk of bloat, avoiding choking hazards, and mental stimulation.

Better digestion – Slow feeders will do just that – slow down your dog’s eating. This will help the food get digested easier throughout the digestive system. Your dog will likely feel more comfortable after eating a slower meal instead of inhaling a meal all at once. This will reduce symptoms of GI upset like gas and bloating.
Speaking of bloating, slow feeders reduce the risk of a medical condition often called bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus). Bloat occurs when dogs eat too quickly and swallow air. The stomach then becomes distended and twists. This can be a deadly condition, having a mortality rate of up to 45%! Since slow feeders are slowing down the eating process, this reduces that amount of air they swallow while eating and reduces the risk of bloat.
Avoid choking hazards – Dogs that eat too quickly are more likely to swallow pieces of food whole, which can then turn into a choking hazard. Slowing the eating process down helps reduce the risk of your dog choking on a piece of food.
Mental stimulation – This is a huge advantage of slow feeding, as your dog will get enrichment while eating with a slow feeder. Slow feeders will force your dog to engage and figure out how to get the reward of the food. While this may seem like torture to us, to dogs this is a great form of enrichment.

Freezbone

Freezbone is a rubber chew toy that you can freeze your dog’s food with their favorite snacks and treats to make for a fun, engaging mealtime. You may have seen videos on social media showing how to use these slow feeders. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to make mealtime fun! You can even snag a few varieties to mix it up for your dog.

I tried four different shapes – the Freezball, the Freezbox, the FreezHeart (Valentine’s Day limited edition), and the Freez Doughnut.

Freezball is a round rubber bowl. It comes in four sizes so you can buy the most appropriate size for your dog. Duration: 30-40 minutes
Freezbox is a square rubber bowl. This comes in one size and is supposed to be one of their most durable options and good for large breeds up to 140 lbs. Duration: 30-40 minutes
FreezHeart is a limited edition rubber heart shape that is flat. I found this to be easier for short snouted dogs. While this may not hold as much food, this held almost a cup of kibble. Duration: 20-30 minutes
Freez Doughnut is a round rubber doughnut shaped feeder. It comes in two sizes. I ordered this for my Boston Terrier, as I thought it might be easier for his very short snout to eat out of. He only eats a half cup of kibble per meal, but this did not fit entirely in the shape (for the small size). However, he did very well getting the food out. Duration: 20-30 minutes

Freezbone comes in several other shapes and sizes, so check out their website for more information. I do love the seasonal items they have including a Christmas Tree, Gingerbread Man, Football, and Shamrock. Be sure to follow them on social media to be the first to see the newest additions, as some of the limited edition items seem to sell out quickly.

Use my referral link to get reward points toward your Freezbone purchase! (I get reward points too if you use my link)

West Paw Toppl Chew Toy

A top alternative I’ve seen to the Freezbone is the West Paw Toppl Chew Toy that can serve as a slow feeder. This is a little more interactive, as it topples around on the ground while the dog is trying to get the food out. While it might be a little messier, it provides excellent mental stimulation for your dog while slowing down feeding.

Purchase here: https://amzn.to/4h3S1MO

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl

Another great option I’ve seen is the Outward Hound slow feeder. This is a BPA-free dog bowl with a maze pattern in it to help slow down eating. This is an inexpensive, but effective slow feeder for any dog!

Purchase here: https://amzn.to/43gsU6e

SodaPup Honey Pot

Another durable slow feeder option is the SodaPup Honey Pot. This a rubber feeder in the cute shape and color of a honey pot. The SodaPup brand is made in the USA and in buying their products, you are supporting a small business brand.

Purchase here: https://amzn.to/4ih3Znc

Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Inserts

If you’d rather still use your dog’s regular feeding bowl, then buy a slow feeder insert that will suction to the bottom of the bowl. This will still slow down your dog’s eating while keeping things a little cleaner. You can take the insert in and out to clean out the bowl and insert.

Purchase here: https://amzn.to/4iivxZs

Ceramic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

For those that prefer a ceramic dog bowl instead of plastic or stainless steel, look into the LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl. This is a single piece bowl that includes a maze pattern to slow down eating. With multiple maze patterns, colors, and sizes available, there is an option for any dog.

Purchase here: https://amzn.to/4bi64gG

Dog Puzzle Slow Feeder

To really add an element of mental stimulation, try a puzzle slow feeder. This includes a main storage area for the food in the middle with small compartments around the edge. The dog has to press the top of the feeder to release the food into the compartments. They then have to learn how to open the compartments to get the reward. Not only does this work for a slow feeder, but it sharpens your dogs brain as well.

Purchase here: https://amzn.to/4gZ3JbM

Once you’ve found the perfect slow feeder for your dog, you’re ready to start getting your dog some great mental stimulation! Be sure to try different recipes and dog-safe ingredients to add an extra layer of fun!

Have a slower feeder recipe your dog drools over? Share in the comments below!