Slow Feed Options For Dogs Eating Too Fast

At meal time, do you blink and your dog’s food is already gone? I will admit, at first, it seems like fun and games. You marvel at just how quickly your dog inhales a meal, give them silly nicknames like “Hoover,” or post a seconds-long video on social media. But consuming food too quickly poses a number of health risks for your dog. If you can relate, consider trying these slow feed options for dogs eating too fast.

Why Dogs Eat too Fast

If your dog is suddenly ravenous or eating too fast when they previously did not, it’s time for a conversation with your veterinarian. Changes in appetite or eating behaviors can be an indication of a medical problem, like a metabolic condition, parasites, or other infection. For the purpose of this post, I’m assuming you have already ruled out a medical condition.

Competition for resources is another reason dogs eat too fast. Your dog may have come from a large litter where they competed against siblings to nurse. Dogs with history as a stray may not have known when their next meal would come. If your dog is or was part of a pack not properly managed while feeding, they may eat quickly to ensure others won’t take their food. It’s important to manage pack feeding to alleviate competition for food.

Some dogs just love to eat! I can relate.

Why It’s Dangerous If Your Dog Eats Too Fast

Choking is a big risk when dogs eat too fast. Gulping down a meal, your dog won’t chew properly. This can lead to food getting stuck in their throat and blocking their airway. This medical emergency is frightening for both you and your dog. Read What To Do If Your Dog Is Choking to learn more.

Dogs eating too fast may regurgitate their food. Regurgitated food can be inhaled into their airway, which may result in pneumonia.

When dogs eat too fast, they are at increased risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV, more commonly referred to as Bloat. Bloat is a condition where your dog’s stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food, and becomes twisted. It progresses extremely fast and it is fatal if not treated. Read more about the signs, treatment, and outcomes of Bloat here. If you suspect your dog has Bloat, seek medical attention immediately.

slow feed options for Dogs Eating Too Fast

There are lots of slow feed options for dogs eating too fast. Something to keep in mind is that one solution does not fit all. You may need to try several options to find the right solution for your dog.

Another tip is to find more than one slow feed solution for your dog and then rotate them. Even challenging solutions can become less effective when used routinely. Be sure to change it up on them!

Slow Feed Bowls

When looking for slow feed options for dogs eating too fast, consider their bowl. Obstacles in the bowl will force your dog to slow down while eating.

I purchased a DuraPet Premium Stainless Steel Slow Feed Bowl years ago. It has a raised hump in the middle which your dog has to eat around. There’s a permanently bonded non-skid bottom and it is dishwasher safe. It’s a high quality bowl. With regular use, mine remains looking like new. However, it is not the most challenging of slow feed options for dogs. It was perfect for one of my dogs at the time, but not the other.

The Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl is a best seller for this brand with over 1 million bowls sold. The reviews on both Amazon and Chewy speak for themselves. What I like about this bowl is the variety! The Fun Feeder is available in multiple sizes, colors, and maze styles. It can also be used with wet, dry, or raw food diets. It is made of food safe plastic (BPA, PVC, and phthalate free) with a non-slip base, and is top rack dishwasher safe.

If you prefer a ceramic bowl, try the LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl. It also comes in multiple sizes, colors, and maze styles, suitable for varied diets. It is dishwasher safe, and as an option, you can purchase this bowl with an oak stand.

Think outside the Bowl

Sometimes the best slow feed option for dogs is something you might already have on hand. Remember how I said the DuraPet Premium Stainless Steel Slow Feed Bowl didn’t work great for one of my speed eaters? If I’m honest, none of the slow feed bowls I tried with Ginger worked for her. She quickly learn to flip any bowl that presented her with a challenge.

The ultimate solution for her obstinance was a large stainless steel baking sheet like the one below. The raised edge kept her food mostly contained, and the open flat space allowed the food to spread out, preventing her from gulping.

Snuffle Mats

For portions of dry kibble, using a snuffle mat provides an enrichment activity that ultimately slows your dog’s consumption. Using their sniffer as a guide, your dog will have to forage the snuffle mat to find their food.

While there are oodles of cute snuffle mat options on Amazon, I’m partial to the ones that are machine washable. No busy dog mom has time to hand wash a snuffle mat! These tend to be the simpler designs, however, the simple design is really easy to ruffle some dry food into them without a lot of effort. And your dog won’t care that their snuffle mat doesn’t look like a flower or a taco!

Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are great slow feed options for dogs eating too fast. They’re not just for treats! Make mealtime an enrichment activity by feeding your dog their regular meal from a puzzle toy.

Y’all know how I feel about the West Paw Toppl. And I have a host of healthy recipes for filling your Toppl as a treat. But the Toppl is perfect for meal times too, especially with the recently added XL size. Two Toppls can be interlocked for an extra challenge (S to L, or L to XL).

West Paw’s brain game fun doesn’t stop with the Toppl as they have added the Rumbl to their puzzle toy lineup. Designed to fit a variety of dry treats or kibble, the Rumbl wobbles and rolls to sporadically reward your dog. Available in two sizes, the S fits 1 cup of kibble and the L fits 2 cups.

Both Toppl and Rumbl are made in the USA from non-toxic, zero-waste, recyclable Zogoflex. They are dishwasher safe, and they are backed by West Paw’s Love It Guarantee.

Take It Slow

Considering the health risks when eating too fast, it’s important to consider these slow feed options for dogs. However, no bowl, snuffle mat, or puzzle toy is indestructible, so it’s a must that you supervise your pup when using these items.

Remember, one solution does not work for every dog. Keep trying – there IS a solution that will work for your dog!