Slowfeeders, also known as interactive feeders, are bowls that have multiple obstacles built into them that your pup needs to navigate to get their food! They encourage your dog to use their brain whilst also slowing the speed at which they eat!
Why use a slow feeder?
- Mental stimulation – slow feeders are a great way to provide mental enrichment for your pup! Making them work for their dinner every night is an easy way to make meals more fun and get them using their brain every single day!
- Decreases the risk of choking - as the eating process is significantly slowed down and dogs tend to chew their food more before swallowing.
- Better digestion – we commonly see dogs that are vomiting after they eat because they eat so fast! A slow feeder gives them time to digest properly and may reduce all speed-eating associated vomiting.
- Reduces the risk of bloat and GDV – many dog owners have heard about the fatalities associated with bloat and gastric dilation volvulus (GDV). When dogs gulp down their food rapidly, they also gulp large amounts of air. Whilst we know as veterinary professionals, that the development of these conditions are multifactorial in nature – it is a agreed that rapidly eating is a risk factor (and slow feeders can help reduce this risk)! Let us know if you want to know more about GDV!
Are there any downsides? And how can we navigate them?
- Dental damage – check what material your slow feeder is made out of and it it is teeth friendly (especially if your dog gets excited at dinner time and might try eat the bowl)!
- Plastic – cheaper plastic bowls may break and cause risks of foreign body ingestion.
- Mess – sometimes, especially when starting out, dogs can get excited with their slow feeders and make a mess. Look out for slow feeders with an adhesive base that prevents them from throwing the bowl around the room!
- Cleaning – these bowls can be more of a challenge to clean for the humans – but many of them are now dishwasher safe for your convenience!
Keep your eyes peeled for new additions to The Cahli Collection that may compliment your best friends slowfeeding journey!!