Some dogs gobble up their entire bowl of food without taking the time to chew. Unfortunately, this can cause issues. However, the slow feeder dog bowl was created as a solution for this behavior.
As mentioned earlier, eating too fast is not healthy and can lead to health issues such as obesity. As a pet parent it is a problem that you shouldn’t take lightly so that you can ensure that your dog stays healthy.
Luckily, there are many different types of solutions that you can use to helps solve the issue of gluttony. The slow feeder dog bowl is one of these options because it is very practical and not very costly.
Why should I pay attention to my dog’s diet?
Gluttony is a behavior that is pretty natural in dogs. Dogs can’t chew their food long enough because of their sharp carnivorous fangs. In fact, dogs are more suited to shredding food than anything else.
For most dogs, eating in large quantities does not cause any problems. However, it is important to chew because it helps prevent tartar build-up on their teeth. Not chewing enough can lead to digestive problems such as bloating and flatulence. It can also cause stomach dilatation syndrome, which is a potentially fatal disease for dogs.
Therefore, you need to make sure that your dog chews as much as possible before they swallow their food. Also, it is important to verify with your vet that their gluttony is not hiding a health issue. Eating quickly can be a sign of bulimia or an inadequate diet.
Slow feeder dog bowls: the ideal solution for dogs that eat too quickly?
As long as your dog’s gluttony is not bulimia or a sign of a disease, your priority should consist of making sure your dog eats slower. This will prevent them from having digestive issues and allow them to feel full faster. The slow feeder dog bowl will help you do this.
What is a slow feeder dog bowl?
To begin with, a slow feeder dog bowl is a bowl that is designed to hold dog food. It has different ridges that make it more difficult for dogs to access their food. This makes it so that your dog takes a longer time time to eat and it takes them longer to swallow.
This bowl is available in many forms, the most classic form being the domed bowl, with a ridge in the center to encourage dogs to walk around the bowl to eat. This makes it take longer to find their food.
Lastly, it can take the form of a plastic disc with holes to be placed in the classic bowl to create a ridges and prevent your dog from accessing the food too easily.
What kind of dog is the slow feeder dog bowl for?
The slow-feed dog bowl is suitable for all types of dogs as their main function is to slow down the rhythm of which your dog swallows their food.
You can, therefore, use this bowl to prevent your dog’s digestive issues. And this, even if they are not particularly gluttonous.
This bowl is useful and necessary if your dog eats too quickly, is anxious, if their breed predisposes them to stomach torsion, or if they are currently overweight.
What’s the point of using a bowl for gluttonous dogs?
As mentioned earlier, the slow feeder dog bowl is a bowl that is used to make your dog eat slower. In this way, you protect their health because there will be less risks of them suffering from stomach pains: bloating, flatulence, vomiting, hiccups. By using this bowl, you are also stimulating their brain while they eat. You can also use this type of bowl when giving them treats.
Which criteria should be taken into account when choosing a slow feeder dog bowl?
There are many types of slow feeder dog bowls on the market. Therefore, it is very important to choose one based on certain criteria to choose one for your dog.
The first criteria, the most important, is that the size must correspond to that of your dog. This is to ensure that they continue to eat the amount that corresponds to their weight. It is essential to understand that if the bowl is too small for your dog, the bowl will not be useful. Instead, you will run the risk frustrating your dog.
It is best to opt for a slow feeder dog bowl that prevents your dog from getting food everywhere. You can find slow-feed dog bowls that are flat or classic bowl forms on the market.
The third criteria is the design. Especially the ridges that serve as obstacles. Both curved and spiked bowls are effective. In the end, it’s all about choosing one that slows down the animal’s muzzle enough to prevent it from swallowing too quickly.
When it comes to the material that the bowl is made out of, inox and plastic are the more common on the market. Stainless steel is recommended for its durability and healthiness.
Lastly, you should choose a bowl that sticks to the floor well. If your dog pushes their nose to find the food, they will move the bowl and risk putting the food everywhere. By choosing a bowl that has a non-slip bottom, you will avoid needing to clean up behind them after every meal. And most of all, you will provide them the maximum amount of comfort for their use.
Note that a bowl that can be placed in the dishwasher is the most practical because the complex form can be complicated to clean by hand.
How much does a slow feeder dog bowl cost?
Slow feeder dog bowls are typically sold in specialized stores and pet stores, but also at department stores. You’ll also find them in specialized online pet stores at prices ranging from 5 to 30 euros (≈ $5 to $35). Mid-range models cost an average of 15 euros (≈ $17).
What other solutions are there to stop a dog’s gluttony?
The slow feeder dog bowl is a solution that is specially designed to fight against gluttony. To optimize their efficiency, you can also combine it with the use of other good practices.
Dogs eat quickly by instinct because they are scared that someone will take their food. If you have more than one dog, you should feed them in different rooms so that they do not bother each other while eating.
In addition, if your dog is the only pet you have you still need to make sure that they eat their meal in a calm room where there is not a lot of walking or loud noises. The feeling of safety is very important to allow your dog to eat calmly and to savor their meal. This will allow them to feel full quicker.
It is recommended to feed your dog with good quality food, suitable for their age and their size. You can even measure out their food with the special measuring bowls available on the market.
Lastly, make sure you feed your dog at regular times and with appropriate portions. Similar to humans, it’s advisable to feed dogs 3 times a day, with a sufficient amount of food and at set time.
This Letsgetpet article might interest you: Understanding the nutritional needs of dogs