If your dog is very fond of their food and chomps it down in a few bites then you might have looked into slow feeders for dogs. Slow Feeders are a special type of bowl, designed to slow down your dog when they are eating to make their food last longer. But aside from just slowing them down, slow feeders actually have a whole range of benefits for dogs from physical health to mental health.
So why is it best to get a slow feeder for your dog and which are the best ones?
What Are The Benefits?
Prevents Trapped Air
When dogs eat too quickly, they take in a lot of air along with their food. The problem with swallowing air is that it can cause bloating and swelling in the stomach. If your dog then continues to run around, they are more at risk of their stomach flipping and a trip to the vets.
A slow feeder will slow them down as they eat and prevent them from swallowing excessive amounts of air.
Mentally Stimulating
As your dog has to work harder to get the food out, the challenge stimulates their brain, keeping them entertained for longer.
When dogs lick, endorphins are released in their brains which makes them feel happier and calmer.
This is ideal for dogs who suffer with anxiety, separation anxiety or who need more stimulation to keep them settled.
Improves Oral Health
As dogs lick, saliva is produced which helps to flush away bacteria and stray bits of food in your dog's teeth.
Flushing away any plaque on the teeth with help to prevent the build up tartar, which, if left untreated, could turn into dental disease.
You can read our blog on How To Clean Dog Teeth for more information.
Eat Slow Live Longer Slow Feeder Original
This innovative slow feeder has a unique design with deep grooves to help prevent fast food consumption, choking, and obesity in dogs.
The Eat Slow Live Longer Slow Feeder helps your dog to eat in a healthier way which will prevent the common problems seen with dogs who eat fast.
Made from safe, ABS plastic that is dishwasher safe, this slow feeder will keep your dog occupied, satisfied, and entertained for longer!
Eat Slow Live Longer Slow Feeder Flower
With a unique flower design that encourages slow and healthy eating in dogs, this slow feeder is great for encouraging your dog to eat better.
Helping your dog to chew better in a fun and entertaining way, this slow feeder for dogs features deep grooves in the shape of a flower which helps to prevent fast food consumption, choking, and obesity in dogs.
The slow feeder will help to prevent rushed eating which can lead to stomach torsion. This is the abnormal positioning of the stomach and swallowing air bubbles which causes fluctuation and digestive problems.
It also has anti-slip feet to keep it in place for your dog to eat more easily.
Go Slow Dual Use Feeding Dog Bowl Set
This two-in-one feeding set has a food and water bowl in one, with a stainless steel bowl on one side and a slow feeder on the other.
Designed to help digestion and slow down the eating for pets who tend to swallow food too quickly causing sickness and vomiting.
The Go Slow Dual Use Feeding Dog Bowl Set features 3 raised shapes inside the bowl that make it harder for food to be eaten quickly and help digest food in a timely fashion.
Go Slow Bone Bowl Feeder
Modern, high-quality design, the Go Slow Bone Bowl Feeder is designed to help digestion and slow down the eating for pets who tend to swallow food too quickly causing sickness and vomiting.
The bowl features 3 raised dog bone shapes inside that make it harder for food to be eaten quickly and help digest food in a timely fashion. It's easy to clean and is dishwasher friendly.
LickiMat Wobble
The magic of LickiMat Wobble is that it challenges your dog to lick the treat and food in order to be rewarded. This slows the process dramatically and prolongs their enjoyment with less calories.
LickiMat helps calm and soothe your dog and promotes calm behaviour in your dog during stressful times such as thunderstorms, fireworks and vet visits.
It can be used to promote slower eating, which in turn reduces bloating and improves digestion. A great alternative to slow feed bowls. You can even freeze food and treats on the mat for slower and more enjoyable feeding.
You can serve raw, wet, dry and liquid food at the same time without making a mess.
Some of our favourites are Meatlove, Meat and trEAT and Liver Paste.
To read more about our Lickimats, check out our blog on Lickimats: The Benefits of a Slow Feeder for Dogs.