7 Best Slow Feeder Bowls For Dogs (Review)

There’s a reason we named this the best overall slow feeder: it’s not only affordable, but it also gets the job done for our pups. The patterns are complex enough that he wanted to eat, but not so much that he became frustrated with food. However, we noticed that our smaller pups couldn’t reach all of the grooves, making it difficult for them to eat properly. If you have a toy breed, this bowl may not be suitable.

What we liked best about this bowl was the suction base, which prevented the dogs from simply flipping it over and eating the food that way. It also fits easily in the top rack of a dishwasher, eliminating the need to handwash it.

We have to admit that when we first saw this bowl, we weren’t a fan of its appearance. After all, it has nothing on the other slow feeders that come in a variety of bright colors. What it does have, however, is that it is made of stainless steel, which is typically more hygienic than plastic or any other material because stainless steel is easier to wash. While its design is simple, it allows it to hold more food.

It wasn’t as simple to disassemble and reassemble it to clean it in our experience. The three prongs, you see, actually come off and must be unscrewed every time you wash them by hand. It was a lot of work for us, but it’s a good bowl that does the job.

This slow feeder was ideal for older dogs and performed admirably. After all, we don’t want to aggravate our pets’ arthritic joints. So this elevated slow feeder is very useful and It also has a water bowl, making things even easier. The height is also adjustable, allowing you to tailor it to your specific requirements, which is exactly what some dogs need.

However, we did notice that some of our pets were able to figure out the pattern relatively quickly, which meant that they were able to resume their unyielding pace of gobbling down the food. So, while it may be beneficial for older dogs, it does have drawbacks.

We wouldn’t call this one a bowl because it was designed to look like a patch of grass, but it does hold a lot of food. It does come in a few different sizes, and the patterns are at different heights, making it difficult for our doggos to figure out the pattern which means if they were finishing their meal in 3 minutes in a normal bowl, it takes them more than 6-7 minutes now. It does have a non-skid base, but the price must be mentioned. It is, after all, the most expensive slow feeder on this list.

So, if you want to splurge on your dog, this is the route to take. However, we believe that there are many other slow feeders available for less money that are more or less comparable. But the unique design did warrant its entry on this list. Also doesn’t hurt that a lot of dog trainers recommend this slow feeder for large breeds.

If none of the above options appealed to you and you are looking for a feeder, particularly for your toy breed, you have found one. While this works for larger breeds, it is designed in such a way that larger dogs must crane their necks. However, our smaller pups enjoyed eating from this bowl, and the water bowl made things even easier for us.

What we liked best about this slow feeder is that it has a silicone mat, which means no vacuuming after your dog has finished eating and no mess to clean up. The silicone matt is quite flimsy, it could be a bit thicker to add more weight to the base but it does the job and is reasonably priced, which is always a plus in our book.

If you’ve already spent a lot of money on a nice bowl and don’t want to buy another one, this insert could be just what you’re looking for. It fits into a variety of bowl sizes, and the varying heights keep your dog entertained while he tries to figure out how to get to the food. While it was surprisingly light, it was quite sturdy and did not bend out of shape when jostling within our luggage as we traveled.

If you frequently travel with your dog, this portable insert will make your life much easier. However, we did notice that it did not work for some of our puppies, so keep that in mind.

If plastic and stainless steel feeder bowls aren’t for you and you prefer something heavier, this ceramic bowl might do the trick. It was fairly heavy and wonderful. It is available in a variety of patterns and colors, which is always a plus in our book. While it lacks a rubber base, it is heavy enough that our dogs couldn’t turn it over no matter how hard they tried.

It is also microwaveable, which came in handy when we needed to serve warm wet food. The ceramic is also bacteria-resistant, and it fits snugly in our dishwasher, making it a breeze to clean. However, it did get a tiny chip during our brief time together, because it is made of ceramic, which makes it easily breakable as compared to plastic or stainless steel bowls and slow feeders.