If you are a pet parent and often worry about your dog’s digestive health, you might have heard of a dog food feeder. As the name suggests, it forces your dog to eat slowly and can help them in many ways. Let us look at the pros and cons.
What Is a Dog Slow Feeder?
First of all, a slow feeder or interactive feeder is a dog food bowl or mat that has multiple obstacles that the pup needs to get around to reach their food. They force your pet to figure out how to get to the food, and then work for it.
Sorry doggies, it can’t be that easy! These types of feeders slow down how quickly dogs can eat, preventing them from inhaling their food along with large gulps of air.
They have ridges, nooks, lumps and bumps that your dog has to negotiate around. They come in a variety of materials, from plastic and silicone to stainless steel.
Slow feeders may look like toys, but they can help improve your dog’s health and comfort and prevent serious medical conditions.
Pros of Slow feeder bowls:
Less choking: One of the major benefits of these slow feeder bowls for dogs is that because of their pattern, your dog is less likely to choke on their food. They will not gobble food and will slowly chew it instead. It can be useful if your pet tends to gulp food and often chokes on it.
Improved digestion: Another benefit that these bowls can provide is that it allows the dog to eat slowly, gives them time to chew which in-turn improves their digestion as well. This will result in them absorbing the required nutrients and improving their overall health.
Portions: Obesity is one of the major problems when it comes to Pets in the US, however, with slow feeder bowls your pets will not be able to gulp all their food in one go, making it harder for them to overeat. When they get to chew food and eat it slowly, it is more possible for them to feel full with an adequate amount. If you notice your pet putting on excess weight and moving towards obesity, it can be a good idea to provide them with these bowls.
Eating habits: When you are trying to make sure that your puppy or even your dog adapts new eating habits, you can use these to change them and incorporate new habits. If you have also adopted a dog recently or feed the dogs on your street, this can help you change their eating habits as well.
Prevents vomiting: Just like choking, a slow feeder bowl for dogs can also prevent vomiting because your pet will be required to take smaller portions and also gives them the time to digest the food properly.
Bloating: Bloating is a common problem with humans as well as pets. While it is not harmful, it can create a lot of discomfort for your pet. Bloating usually results in farting. This usually happens when they are eating too fast and often consume air along with the food.
However, there are a few cons that come with slow feeder bowls.
Dental damage: Especially if your pet is hungry and eager to eat, it may cause trouble. Avoid giving them these when they are hungry.
Frustration: As mentioned above, if your pet is hungry and excited to eat, they might get frustrated with the time taken to eat the food. They might also get hurt because of the hurdles in the bowl.
Quality: It is important to make sure you get a quality slow feeder bowl for dogs, this will prevent plastic ingestion which can harm your pet’s health. They will also tend to create a mess when eating from these bowls, which is why it is important to make sure it is sturdy.
Cleaning: When you get slow feeder bowls, it might be a hassle to clean them because of the curves and crevices present in them. It is harder to clean it as compared to a regular feeder bowl for your dog.
You can incorporate these slow-feeder bowls along with regular bowls. If you are looking to improve your pet’s digestive health or even need merely portion control for them – it is a good idea to buy quality slow feeder bowls.
Read More: https://www.kwikpets.com/blogs/food/slow-feeder-bowl-for-dogs-pros-and-cons
FAQ
Are slow feeder dog bowls good for dogs?
hey’re extremely effective at slowing dogs down while they eat although some designs are more effective than others. Can you put wet food in a slow feeder bowl? Most slow feed dog bowls are suitable for use with wet food as well as dry.
How do you know if your dog needs a slow feeder?
If you have noticed your pet scarfing down their food at record speeds, it may be time to consider a slow feeder bowl. “The ridges and barriers in a slow feeder create a bit more work for your pup at meal time, as the food is a bit harder to access as quickly,” explains Dr.
How often should dog water be changed?
How often should your change your pet’s water. Keep your pet’s bowl full and make sure to fill with fresh water every single day. It’s also important to keep your pet’s water bowl clean.
