6 Best Slow Feed (Maze) Dog Bowls for Fast Eaters

Carlotta Cooper

Researched & Written by

Carlotta Cooper


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Once upon a time if someone had a dog that gulped his food like a wolf there weren’t many ways to stop his bad eating habit.

Dogs that eat too fast can suck in air when they eat which can lead to bloat. Today we’re lucky to have some ingenious dog bowls that are designed to safely slow a dog while he eats so he won’t endanger his health. Slow feeder dog bowls are a terrific way to encourage your dog to eat more slowly. There are several different kinds of slow feeder bowls made today. We’ll discuss the benefits of the slow feeder maze dog bowls here.

Stayed tuned to learn which 6 Slow Feed Dog Bowls we highly recommend…

Importance of not letting dogs eat too fast

Bloat happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid, making it expand. The stomach puts pressure on other organs. It can cause dangerous problems… – PetMD.com

We all know that dogs are descended from wolves. Your little Max or Sophie still has many wolf instincts. One of those instincts, unfortunately, often tells your dog that he needs to eat his food as fast as possible. A wolf needs to eat fast so other pack members can’t get their share of the prey. They can’t let another predator come along and steal their food. Wolves can gorge themselves and then go for several days without eating again.

Obviously, your dog doesn’t need to gorge himself. You are supplying plenty of food at meals everyday. But instinct might be telling him he needs to eat his food fast. If you have two dogs in the house, this might be a big problem since it might make your dogs compete for food even when they aren’t hungry.

If your dog does eat too fast it can lead to some serious health risks. First, a dog that eats too fast can choke on his food. This is just as serious for a dog as it is for a human. A choking dog can die. A dog can also gag while he’s eating. This can cause your dog to vomit and feel ill.

Dogs that eat too fast often eat too much, as well. They don’t know when to stop or maybe they don’t bother to taste the food. They just eat because it’s a habit. But these dogs can end up overweight or obese and these weight problems can lead to their own serious health issues in dogs such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and more. Dogs that are seriously overweight often have shorter lives than other dogs.

If a dog eats too fast he can also experience bloat. Bloat is also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This condition occurs when the dog’s stomach or intestines expand with air and twist in the abdomen. This can be the result of a dog eating too fast and gulping down air with his food. Gulping air causes the stomach (or intestines) to expand and then they can twist, shutting off the blood supply. When this happens it is a life-threatening emergency and your dog will go into shock. It’s essential that your dog get veterinary treatment immediately to save his life.

Using a good slow feeder dog bowl can help prevent your dog from eating too fast and gulping down air when he eats. These bowls are an excellent way to prevent your dog from developing bloat.

What to look for in a Slow Eating Dog Bowl

If your dog needs a slow eating dog bowl there are some special things to look for when you choose one. Not all slow dog bowls are the same.

For the maze-style slow feed dog bowls, some of the things to look for include bowls that have the following benefits:

  • Portion Control. Slowing your dog down when he eats can be a good way to help him eat less, especially if he is overweight or tends to eat too much food. When your dog eats more slowly there is more time for his food to reach his stomach. He can start to feel full. He may have less desire to stuff himself.
  • Dishwasher Safe. For slow feed bowls with lots of intricate twists and turns, a dishwasher is great. It can be hard to wash these bowls by hand – you may not always reach into every tiny crevice.
  • Non-Skid. You probably already know that dogs that eat fast tend to attack their bowls like they are prey. Bowls and pans can go crashing all over the floor. A non-skid bowl with rubber or padding on the base of the bowl can prevent this kind of crazy scene.

Some bowls also have a greater degree of difficulty than other bowls, depending on the maze pattern. If your dog is a super fast eater, he may need a slow feed bowl with a very difficult maze so it takes longer for him to get the food out of the bowl. But, if you have a dog who eats just a little too fast, he might be all right with a bowl that has a maze which is only slightly difficult. This kind of bowl would slow him down just a little.

Some people may also be interested in elevated bowls. There was a study done years ago which seemed to indicate that elevated bowls might help prevent bloat in dogs. Unfortunately, this study from Purdue was seriously flawed. The largest study done on bloat in large breed dogs found just the opposite: that it was better not to use an elevated feed bowl in order to avoid bloat, especially in dogs with sensitive stomachs. There is no definitive answer about using an elevated feed bowl but most people today who have large breed dogs avoid using elevated feed bowls, whether they use a slow feed bowl or not.

Slow feeder bowls can come in plastic, steel, and ceramic, like other kinds of dog bowls. Plastic bowls tend to predominate since it may be easier to make various maze patterns using plastic. Having a bowl that is dishwasher safe is especially important if you purchase a plastic bowl since you will need to be sure to wash out any food particles and bacteria that might remain in the maze edges. If you buy a plastic bowl, we do prefer bowls that are free of some of the more common ingredients that cause concern such as BPA and phthalates.

Overall Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl, Teal

Our pick for the best slow feeder (maze) dog bowl is the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl (Teal). Outward Hound makes dog feeder bowls in several styles. This teal version has a maze that is moderately difficult. It should slow down all but the very worst fast eaters. It comes in a regular size that holds four cups of food; and a mini size that holds two cups. The ridges and maze are a great way to entertain your dog and make a game out of his meals. It helps prevent bloat, regurgitation, and overeating so it’s a healthy way to feed your dog. This bowl features a non-slip base to hold it in place and prevent sliding and floor damage while your dog is eating. Top rack dishwasher safe so it’s easy to clean up. It’s made with high quality, food-safe material that is BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.

5 More Really Good Slow Eating Dogs Bowls

If your dog needs a slow feeder with a little more difficulty – or a little less – we have some other bowls you might like.

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl, Orange

If your dog is the fastest eater in the world, try the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl (Orange). This orange version of the Outward Hound Fun Feeder bowl has a maze of maximum difficulty. It’s sure to slow down even the speediest dog that has never stopped to taste his food before. Comes in a regular size that holds four cups; and a mini size that holds two cups. Encouraging your dog to slow down while he eats can make his meals more fun. Plus, it will help prevent serious health issues such as bloat, vomiting, and canine obesity. This bowl features a non-slip base to hold the bowl in place and prevent it from sliding and damaging the floor. It’s top rack dishwasher safe for easy care and clean up. And, it’s made with high quality, food-safe material that is BPA, PVA, and phthalate-free.

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl, Purple

For dogs that need to slow down just a little at mealtime, we can recommend the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl (Purple). This version of the slow maze dog feeder has an easier maze. It will keep your dog from gulping down his food but it’s not as difficult as the teal or purple Outward Hound Fun Feeder bowls. It comes in regular and mini sizes. The regular size holds four cups of food and the mini size holds two cups. Helping your dog slow down at mealtimes can make feeding a fun activity and it’s certainly healthier than racing through his food. It helps prevent bloat, regurgitation, and obesity. This bowl features a non-slip base to hold it in place. It’s top rack dishwasher safe. And it’s made with high quality, food-safe material. It’s BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.

Ethical Pet Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

The Ethical Pet Slow Feeder Dog Bowl features a classic spiral maze design that makes it suitable for dogs of all sizes. It’s particularly good for dogs that weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. The spiral maze promotes slow eating, reducing many of the risks that come from gulping down food too fast such as choking, vomiting, bloating, and even obesity. Dogs find it easy to adapt to this design. The bowl features a non-skid rubber ring on the bottom to keep it in place while your dog eats. Dishwasher safe. Holds two cups of food. Comes in green and blue.

Aikiou HEXA Dog Slow Feeder

The HEXA Dog Slow Feeder provides a modern twist on the traditional slow feed dog bowl. The contemporary design lets your dog search for food while slowing him down and preventing him from gulping air. It helps prevent bloat. The bowl has deep, narrow spaces that make your dog use his tongue and muzzle to reach the food in the maze. The bowl comes in three colors: blue, gray, and orange. All colors hold up to 2.5 cups of dry kibble. The bowl is made of heavy human food grade polypropylene and is BHA and BHT-free. It is also non-skid with pads on the bottom of the bowl to keep it from moving while your dog is eating.

Northmate Green Interactive Dog Feeder

If you’ve tried everything to slow your dog’s fast eating and nothing seems to work, we present to you the Northmate Green Interactive Dog Feeder. This specially designed feeder is made to look like a tuft of grass. It’s made of hard plastic that is phthalate-free. Place your dog’s food in the “grass” and let him search through this green maze to find it. Your dog will have to use his tongue and muzzle to push the food out from between the blades of “grass.” It will definitely slow down any fast eater and reduce the risk of bloat and other health issues. Holds up to 1.5 cups of kibble. Can also be used for wet/canned food. Designed for all kinds of dogs regardless of weight or breed. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Extremely durable and dishwasher safe.

Conclusion

No matter what kind of chowhound you have at home, a slow dog feeder can help your dog learn to eat more slowly. These slow feed maze dog bowls are especially good at slowing down a fast eater. Look at the various designs, sizes, and colors and choose a bowl that will work for your dog. Remember that you’re not just helping your dog eat more slowly, you could be saving his life by preventing bloat.

Dog Bowls Prevent Dog From Eating Too Fast (1)

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4 Comments

  1. I have a long haired chihuahua who has stomach digestion problems for which I have had to take her to emergency care. The vet said she has severe digestion problems and the slow eating bowls would help her. Plus she is overweight which she has gone down in wgt some. I do not have a dishwasher so I thought about a stainless steel slow eater bowl. Can you help me?
    Thank you.

    1. Hi Maria,
      Sorry I didn’t see your comment sooner. Yes, a stainless steel slow feed bowl would be a good choice for your Chihuahua. They are easy to wash and they don’t tend to hold bacteria the way plastic bowls can sometimes. I didn’t include any on my original list just because they are not usually as popular as the plastic bowls so not all sites/stores carry them.
      Amazon has some: Our Pets DuraPet Slow Feed Premium Stainless Steel Dog Bowl The small size holds up to three cups of food.
      They also have this kind: Pro Select Classic Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Dog Bowls Anti Skid No Tip
      And this one: NEATER PET BRANDS Slow Feed Bowl Stainless Steel
      This bowl seems to be popular on Amazon: Mr. Peanut’s Stainless Steel Interactive Slow Feed Dog Bowl with a Silicone Base – Holds 1-2 cups of kibble.
      One of these bowls would probably be a good choice for a small dog like your Chihuahua. See what you think,
      Carlotta

    2. The real bowl by outward hound is what I use and it’s not hard to wash at all… just make sure to wash every time or it gets that slimy buildup from their saliva

  2. This is my second post Re: my long haired chihuahua with severe stomach digestive problems. I need to know since I do not have a dishwasher should I look for a stainless steel slow eater bowl for my Gigi? Please answer. Thank you. Maria

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