Does your furball wolf down his food as if his life is in the balance?

If so, you are not alone! Many dogs race to the bottoms of their bowls. In some cases, this can trigger health complications such as:

  • Vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Choking
  • Digestive issues

The best slow feeders for dogs are one of the cheapest and most effective solutions, adding interest to mealtimes and providing some extra brainwork and enrichment for Rover.

With so many feeders in this market segment, it can be challenging to pick the right one. Today, we review 10 of the leading models suitable for a variety of breeds. Before those reviews, a few pointers on how to pick a slow feeder bowl.

  • Capacity: The most crucial part of your buying decision is to choose a feeder that contains enough food to see your dog through mealtime (or throughout the day if you are leaving him unattended). Measure how much food your pup consumes in a single sitting then pick bowls that contain more than that amount. If you pick a bowl that’s too small for purpose, the food will be piled up, defeating the purpose of slow feeding. If in doubt, size up.
  • Design: Obstructions can slow your dog’s eating, but they also serve to mentally stimulate him at mealtimes. For pet parents of dogs who get easily frustrated, it is worth considering slow feeder bowls with fewer obstacles. If your dog loves challenges and puzzles, on the other hand, choose a slow feeder bowl with deep grooves and more intricate patterns.
  • Ease of cleaning: It is vital to clean dog bowls regularly. Slow feeders are especially prone to getting mucky due to all the ridges baked in. Look for dishwasher-safe bowls for maximum convenience. You may still need to pre-soak the bowl if it has lots of food residue caked to the sides.
  • Materials: Just like traditional dog food bowls, slow feeders come in many different materials, including plastic, silicone, stainless steel, and ceramic. Ensure that plastic or silicone bowls are non-toxic with no BPA or phthalates. These bowls are not ideal for dogs that chew aggressively. Stainless steel bowls are highly durable and easy to keep clean. Ceramic bowls are glazed and super-simple to clean. They are fragile and liable to break if dropped. This type of feeder is also typically more expensive.
  • Breed and anatomy of your dog: If you have a pug or bulldog, you may find that they struggle to reach into the grooves of a slow feeder. Look for bowls with shallower ridges if you have a flat-faced pup at home. Dogs with long noses will find it too easy to penetrate bowls with shallow ridges, so choose accordingly.

Now, compare some of the most effective feeders in this vertical and decide which, if any, makes the right choice for you and your hound.

Rabieschallengefund.org is reader-supported. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

The 10 Best Slow Feeder Bowls for Dogs

1. Our Pick Outward Hound Slow Feeder

Features

  • Material: Plastic
  • Weight: 15.9oz
  • Dimensions: 12.5 x 2.3 x 11 inches

First up and our overall favorite from this showcase of the best slow feeder bowls for dogs comes from Outward Hound. What do you get for your money, then?

You’ll first need to choose from a variety of sizes to suit the needs of your pooch. This is the large option suitable for bigger breeds.

Next, you need to pick which type of feeder is most suitable for the temperament and needs of your pup. This variant is a purple flower maze. The meal-lengthening ridges inside the bowl could slow down dogs that gulp their food by up to ten times.

The plastic build is long-lasting, as long as your dog is not an aggressive chewer. For dogs that chew heavily, we recommend investing in a ceramic or stainless steel bowl – we review both below.

We appreciate the non-slip base on this feeder, ideal if you have an energetic dog who gets overexcited at mealtimes.

The only notable drawback of this model is that it’s quite tricky to clean. Food gets stuck into the grooves meaning you may need to soak the bowl for a while before sliding it onto the top shelf of the dishwasher.

Aside from the tendency for food to stick on, this is arguably the most effective slow feeder in a crowded market.

Things We Like

  • Wide range of sizes and colors
  • Non-slip base
  • Meal-lengthening ridges

Things We Dislike

  • Quite awkward to clean

2. JASGOOD Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: Recyclable plastic
  • Weight: 6.7oz
  • Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.8 inches

Next up is the first of two slow feeders from the JASGOOD stable, so what makes this model stand out in a glutted field?

If you prize aesthetics in your dog gear, you’ll appreciate the wide range of vibrant colors you can choose from. The eco-friendly plastic is completely pet safe and contains no BPA and no other toxins known harmful to dogs. Like all plastic slow feeders, this model is not ideal for dogs that chew aggressively.

This is a versatile feeder you can load up with either wet or dry dog food. The ridges inside will slow down most dogs when they are eating, although the pattern is not too intricate or challenging. If you have a dog that gets easily frustrated, this slow feeder is ideal.

Among all the bowls we tested, this is perhaps the easiest to keep clean. The basic nature of the inbuilt maze means that food doesn’t accumulate inside, and the bowl is also dishwasher safe, promoting hands-free cleanup.

Non-slip feet underneath should ensure that Rover gets a stable base from which to feed.

This is the smallest of the two models available, accommodating about 9oz of dry dog food. Ensure that this will meet the needs of your hound and if not, size up.

For a long-lasting and pet-friendly bowl suitable for puppies and small or medium breeds, you can’t go wrong with JASAGOOD.

Things We Like

  • Great choice of colors
  • Hardwearing and pet safe materials
  • Easy to use and keep clean

Things We Dislike

  • Not suitable for aggressive chewers

3. UPSKY Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: Plastic
  • Weight: 4.6oz
  • Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 1.9 inches

UPSKY may not be the first brand that springs to mind when you’re thinking of pet gear, but this slow feeder for small dogs is well worth popping on your shortlist.

As with all plastic bowls, this model is inadvisable for owners of dogs that chew heavily. If your dog is less inclined to chew, read on.

Perhaps the main selling point of this feeder is the bargain basement pricing. This is the cheapest slow feeder for dogs you’ll find that doesn’t force you to compromise on quality.

Choose from a wide range of colors to suit your home décor and the temperament of your pooch. This variant is finished in a striking baby blue.

The raised ridges inside this bowl separate the food, slowing your dog down and helping him to digest his food without bloating or choking.

Made from recyclable plastic, you’ll get no BPA and no other toxins, allowing you to feed Rover with complete peace of mind.

The capacity of this bowl is designed with the needs of small and medium breeds in mind, so if that describes your furball, what are you waiting for?

Things We Like

  • Encourages dogs to forage for food
  • Non-toxic and recyclable materials
  • Ideal for small and medium breeds

Things We Dislike

  • Poor quality non-slip pads

4. LE TAUCI Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: Ceramic
  • Weight: 2.9 pounds
  • Dimensions: 8 x 1.8 x 8 inches

Next up comes a premium slow feeder from LE TAUCI that is currently aggressively discounted. If you’re looking to grab yourself a bargain, what do you get for your money here?

Well, the ceramic build makes this bowl the ideal solution for dogs that chew aggressively. Even if your pup often chews heavily, he will not break away parts of this bowl like he might with a plastic alternative.

On the downside, ceramic bowls are quite heavy and also pretty fragile. Make sure you handle this feeder with care to prevent any surprise breakage.

Like all ceramic bowls, this one is a cinch to keep clean. Even though there are ridges inside the bowl, food does not stick on in the same way it does with plastic bowls.           

Another key benefit of this bowl is the fact you can safely pop it in the microwave, giving your furball heated food on demand.

The ridges and patterns inside the bowl and complicated enough to slow dogs when they are eating without being overly challenging and frustrating dogs unable to access the food they want.

While this is one of the more expensive slow feeders, it still represents great value, and if you act quickly, you can capitalize on the heavy discount.

Things We Like

  • Great for aggressive chewers
  • Heavy non-slip bowl
  • Straightforward to clean

Things We Dislike

  • Easily breakable

5. Dogit Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

Features

  • Material: Plastic
  • Weight: 13.8oz
  • Dimensions: 2.5 x 7.1 x 7.1 inches

Dogit is an emerging brand in the pet supplies space, so how does this slow feeder for dogs stand and fall?

The first thing worth mentioning is the exceptionally keen price. Despite this, you get a versatile and effective slow feeder that puts many pricier models to shame.

You can load this bowl up with wet or dry dog food. Choose from one of four sizes to suit the breed you have at home. This is the smallest feeder available, ideal for puppies, toy breeds, and small breeds. Size up accordingly if you have larger furry friends at home.

Crucially, this feeder is extremely easy to keep clean. Although most slow feeders are dishwasher friendly and involve little fuss when cleaning, some of the weaker models in this vertical can be a real headache to keep clean. Luckily, this is not among them.

If you have a small dog with a small snout, you might find they are unable to access their food from this bowl. Consider some of the other feeders we review above and below.

Things We Like

  • Outstanding overall value
  • Use wet or dry food
  • Hassle-free upkeep

Things We Dislike

  • Ineffective for dogs with small snouts

6. Leashboss Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: Plastic
  • Weight: 10.9oz
  • Dimensions: 11.4 x 10.7 x 2.2 inches

Next in line is an efficient and cost-effective slow feeder for dogs from the mighty Leashboss. This brand has a reputation for producing first class pet gear at affordable rates, so read on to see if this is the right feeder for your mutt.

Available in several sizes, this iteration of the Leashboss is intended for medium and large breeds. The manufacturer recommends using this feeder for the following breeds:

  • Bloodhound
  • Labrador retriever
  • Pit bull
  • Saint Bernard
  • Mastiff

As with all the most effective slow feeders, the ridges inside this interactive maze are designed to slow down your pup when he is eating without making him frustrated or preventing him from accessing his food.

This is perhaps the most versatile of all the feeders we review today, allowing you to load in wet, dry, or raw dog food, catering to the tastes of all pet parents.

Although we highly recommend this model, it is worth noting that the finish is poor with some sharp edges left unfinished. Check the bowl upon unboxing and file down any sharp edges.

The base of the bowl is rubberized to give your dog plenty of traction when he’s feeding and minimizing the chance of food being spilled all over the kitchen floor.

Things We Like

  • Suitable for medium and large breeds
  • Interactive maze to slow eating
  • Rubberized non-slip base

Things We Dislike

  • Poor finish with sharp edges

7. Super Design Store Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: Melamine
  • Weight: 6.4oz
  • Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 2.8 inches

This anti-gulping bowl from the Super Design Store is well worth popping on your shortlist, but what do you get for your money?

The first thing you’ll notice is the competitive price tag. You’ll next need to choose from one of 4 bowl sizes to suit the breed of your dog. This is the 1-cup model, ideal for smaller canines. Breed recommendations include:

  • Papillon
  • Poodle
  • Corgi
  • Welsh terrier
  • Basset hound

The bowl comes in a wide range of eye-catching color schemes, so you don’t need to suffer with the usual brown or silver bowl if you fancy something more playful for Fido.

The base is designed not to slip and slide as your dog gets into his food.

Inside the bowl, the raised pieces ensure that your dog needs to work for his food rather than wolfing it down like his life depends on it. You should notice a pronounced slowing down at feeding time, with the shower of benefits that entails for your furball.

The only drawback with this bowl concerns the melamine build. Some customers complain that this is a controversial and potentially unsafe material, so you should do your own due diligence here.

Aside from this, you might rethink this bowl if you have a temperamental dog easily phased by challenges.

Things We Like

  • Easy to pick up
  • Intricate maze to promote slower eating
  • Fuss-free cleaning

Things We Dislike

  • Build quality and lifespan concerns

8. Pecute Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: Silicone
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Dimensions: 16.7 x 10.6 x 1.8 inches

As we near the end of our roundup of the best slow feeder bowls for dogs, we have a solid offering from Pecute.

Made from environmentally friendly and recyclable materials, this silicone bowl is pet safe (although inadvisable for use with dogs that chew heavily).

There are two sizes up for grabs – this medium bowl and a large alternative. Since this feeder is primarily designed for cats, you may find it doesn’t contain enough food for larger dogs. If you have a teacup breed, a toy breed, or a small breed at home, this bowl is a great choice.

You will find that cleaning the feeder is easy going and you can also place it on the top shelf of the dishwasher for complete convenience.

An anti-overflow pad will also help to keep your kitchen floor clear of debris and all your dog’s food in his bowl.

Things We Like

  • Anti-overflow pad
  • Pet-safe food-grade material
  • Easy to clean bowl

Things We Dislike

  • Low quality fit and finish

9. Neater Pet Brands Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Weight: 9.6oz
  • Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 2.8 inches

If your pooch feeds from an elevated feeder, this slow feed bowl is designed to work smoothly with these systems to further slow eating.

This is the larger of the two sizes available and gives you enough capacity for up to 4 cups of kibble. This should give you enough latitude even if you have a bigger breed at home.

The raised centerpiece means your dog has to slow down when he’s eating. This will prevent overeating while also reducing the chance of your pup vomiting after he’s eaten.

If your dog often gets frustrated when confronted with challenges, this stainless steel feeder is one of the best solutions. The ridges inside will slow feeding without preventing your dog from getting the food he craves.

Dishwasher-safe and made from a robust stainless steel, this is one of the most efficient slow feed dog bowls out there and it’s well worth a place on any shortlist.

Things We Like

  • Dishwasher friendly bowl
  • Slows feeding without frustrating Fido
  • Generous capacity

Things We Dislike

  • Prone to cracking

10. JASGOOD Slow Dog Feeder

Features

  • Material: ABS
  • Weight: 8.7oz
  • Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.8 x 1.9 inches

JASGOOD serves up a highly attractive dog bowl that should encourage your pup to dial back the pace at feeding time.

Available in a wide array of bright colors, you can match the bowl to your décor and the temperament and character of your hound.

Not only is this slow feeder dog bowl highly effective, but it’s also one of the cheapest models on the market, making it a great choice for bargain-hunters not prepared to compromise on quality.

Made from a robust plastic that’s free of BPA and free of phthalates, you can pour in your pup’s food with a clean conscience.

This bowl measures 7.8 inches across and accommodates up to 1.5 cups of dry kibble, making it a good choice for most small and medium-sized dogs. With larger breeds, you may want to consider the bigger alternative offered by JASGOOD.

If you prefer feeding your pup wet food, this bowl will also house that, as well as raw food, so you’re spoiled for choice.

Watch your dog eat slower, enjoy his food more, and digest it more effectively when he eats out of this slow feeding bowl.

As with all plastic bowls, this slow feeder is inadvisable for dogs that chew heavily and aggressively. Consider a stainless steel or ceramic feeder for heavy chewers.

Overall, this is an inexpensive and efficient slow dog feeder ideal for small or medium pooches.

Things We Like

  • Could help prevent canine bloating and obesity
  • Turns mealtime into playtime
  • Eco-friendly, food-grade materials

Things We Dislike

  • Unsuitable for aggressive chewers

FAQ

1) What is a slow feeder bowl?

A slow feeder bowl is designed to regulate the speed at which your dog eats, promoting healthier eating habits and potentially preventing overeating.

2) How do the best slow feeder bowls for dogs work?

Slow feeder bowls typically have raised patterns or mazes within the bowl that force your dog to eat his food at a slower pace than normal.

3) Are slow feeder bowls considered safe for dogs?

Yes, slow feeder bowls are safe for dogs. That said, you need to choose a durable bowl made from pet-safe materials to ensure it is safe for your dog to use.

4) What sizes are available in dog slow feeders?

Slow feeder bowls are available in a range of sizes to accommodate dogs of different breeds and sizes. We highlight breed suitability throughout our reviews.

5) Are these feeders suitable for all breeds?

Yes, slow feeder bowls are suitable for all breeds, assuming that you pick a bowl sized with the needs of your dog’s breed in mind.

6) How do I clean the bowl of a slow feeder?

Cleaning instructions vary depending on the material of the bowl. Look for slow feeder bowls that are dishwasher safe for hands-free cleaning.

7) What material are the best slow feeders for dogs made from?

Slow feeder bowls can be made from plastic, ABS, silicone, ceramic, or stainless steel.

8) Can I use a slow feeder bowl for wet and dry food?

Yes, most slow feeder bowls allow you to use either wet or dry food.

9) Does a slow feeder prevent choking?

Slow feeder bowls can help prevent choking by regulating the speed at which your dog eats.


Conclusion

If you arrived at Rabies Challenge Fund today unclear about how to choose the best slow feeder bowl for your furball, you should now have a shortlist of suitable options.

We advise bookmarking our blog before you head off. We have lots of informative guides scheduled for the coming months, so be sure to pop back soon!

5/5 - (2 votes)

About the Author

Rabies Challenge Fund

Share your thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Want More Great Content?

Check Out These Articles