If we know anything about dogs, we know that they are quickest in the presence of food. While they are relentless and cunning around our food (a problem we have yet to solve), we can help you curb their ravenous food intake.
Some dog owners may not understand the concept of slow feeding and are satisfied if their dog is eating the food. Depending on the dog, slow feeding bowls can aid your dog’s health in the long run.
Slow feeding bowls are a big help when it comes to your dog’s digestive system. The most important thing to know is that it prevents vomiting, choking, gastrointestinal discomfort, and food bloating due to overeating or eating too fast.
We know that choosing the right slow-feeding dog bowl is hard, so we researched and tested them for you. These are our top 6 picks for the best slow feeder dog bowls and 7 honorable mentions.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl | The Slo Bowl has many different designs to choose from (all with cool designs). This creative bowl drastically slows down your dog’s eating rate and amps up the fun! | Check Price |
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Runner-Up: Leashboss Slow Feed Dog Bowl | With a name like Leash Boss, you can expect high-quality products. Their raised pet feeders are perfect for tall feeder bowls and work just as well on the floor. | Check Price |
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Best For Large Dogs: JASGOOD Slow Dog Bowl | The JASGOOD Slow Dog Bowl is for larger dogs that need more kibble at each meal. With a small inner bowl for water, this dog bowl could be the only one you need. | Check Price |
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Best For Dogs With Large Snouts: Dogit Dog Bowl | If your dog has had trouble with other slow feeder bowls due to their design, Dogit’s slow feeder has enough space between grooves for their eating pleasure. It can be used with wet or dry food. | Check Price |
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Best Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Bowl: Durapet Slow Feeder Dog Bowls | Stainless steel bowls work and blend in well in any household. This is a very simple design that slows the dog down without creating frustration or puzzlement. | Check Price |
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Best For Smaller Dogs: Super Design Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl | Little Dogs Eat Just As Fast As Big Dogs, Maybe Faster. If You’ve Encountered This Problem, Super Design’s Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Is A Likely Solution. It Has Non-Slip Feet And A Simple, Easy-To-Clean Design. | Check Price |
How We Chose the Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
When developing a slow feeder dog bowl, there is a lot more nuance in their design than a regular dog bowl. A regular dog bowl feeds the dog, but a slow feeder bowl feeds the dog at a healthier pace.
The best slow feeder dog bowls usually have a few characteristics that stand out among other bowls, but each manufacturer approaches the design differently.
Dog-Friendly Designs
Slow feeder dog bowls incorporate a design to slow down the dog’s eating rate. Limiting access to their food protects them from eating too quickly, too much, and ingesting too much air which causes excess gas and bloating.
The design also makes it seem more like they are hunting for their food, which is not only practical but also fun to watch. This satisfies the dog’s basic need to hunt and forage, creating mental stimulation.
The design can also go overboard. Designs are visually appealing and serve a function but if they are too limiting to the point where the dogs cannot reach their food, it can create frustration.
Some dog breeds cannot use certain bowls because the length or width of their snout can’t fit into the spaces in the bowl’s design. Keep this in mind when shopping, especially for dogs with flat faces.
Non-Toxic Materials
When coming into contact with food, using non-toxic materials is non-negotiable when it comes to your best friend. Though most dog bowls (slow feeder and regular alike) should be non-toxic, it is better to be safe than sorry.
If plastic bowls seem best for your pup, be sure to check if it is BPA-free. Stainless steel is preferable for a lot of owners as it is more durable and safer for dogs with a tendency to chew.
Stainless steel bowls are non-porous, which helps deter the enhanced growth of bacteria and germs. They’re quick and easy to clean and don’t pick up smells and stains over time. Ceramic is not the best choice as it is easily breakable and could chip your dog’s teeth.
Adequate Capacity
Acquiring an appropriate-sized bowl for your hungry dog is another factor to consider. Larger bowls are for larger dogs as they require larger portions of food. While it is not exactly rocket science, capacity is an important component of a dog bowl.
Misaligning your dog breed with the right bowl may lead to overeating or not eating enough in some instances. A flat-faced dog can’t get enough nutrition from a deep bowl or one with a complicated shape.
Dishwasher Safe
Based on the design of your bowl, it may be a chore to wash. All the nooks and crannies can make difficult-to-reach areas transform into a toxic wasteland. Choosing a bowl that is dishwasher safe nearly eliminates that outcome, and you can continue to feed your dog without worry.
Anti-Slip Base
Even with a slow feeder dog bowl, there’s no guarantee that your dog won’t be moving and grooving around the bowl to get his or her food. An anti-slip base reduces accidents and allows your dog to focus on the food itself, not the bowl moving around. Fewer spills to clean up and a more satiated pup is every owner’s dream.
We found 20 of the highest-rated slow-feeder dog bowls and put them to the test with our ravenous pups of various breeds. 6 of them worked great for us, and another 7 earned honorable mentions. Read on to see our favorites and why we love them.
Read our related article on How Much Canned Food to Feed a Dog. Make sure you’re feeding your dog the right amount to avoid problems such as gastrointestial issues and obesity.
Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Accessibility | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Sizes: 12.5″ x 11″ x 2.3″ (Large/Regular) | Material: Plastic | Brand: Outward Hound | Weight: 0.5 Pounds | Base: Anti-Slip | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dogs: Small to Large Breeds
What We Liked
- BPA, PVC, Lead, & Phthalate-Free
- Works with wet and dry food
- Fun shapes and colors that stimulate the dog’s brain
What We Didn’t Like
- Raised ridges do not work well with flat-faced breeds
These food bowls are available in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. Some of them are even designed to be more challenging, such as their Orange Swirl Bowl (to be reviewed later on). Whichever design you choose, all come with the same consistent quality.
These genius bowls are made from food-safe materials, anti-slip base, are top-rack dishwasher compatible, and work great. Possibly the total package when you’re looking for a slow feeder dog bowl for your ravenous dog.
The one thing that we have noticed with our dogs when testing this product (as well as some other reviewers have also noted), is that some dogs with larger snouts tend to have trouble with select designs. If you want one of these bowls for your larger dog, select one without too many high or narrow ridges.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON2. Runner Up: Leashboss Slow Feed Dog Bowl
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Accessibility | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Sizes: 6″ | Material: Plastic | Brand: Leash Boss | Weight: 5.6 Ounces | Base: Anti-Slip | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dogs: Small to Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Perfect for tall dog feeders
- Holds 1.5 cups of food
- BPA, PVC, Lead, & Phthalate-Free
What We Didn’t Like
- Not the best option for chewers
- Smarter dogs can figure it out quickly
Leash Boss’ version of the slow feeder is a top contender for this list. It is truly designed for tall dog feeders as they provide different sizes and measurements for that purpose.
The bowl is designed to slip into a raised feeder base, converting it into a slow feeder. The base has a non-slip grip so it can work well in any base with the right diameter and it won’t slip around while the dog eats.
The design is a tad basic compared to the others on this list. There are some minor designs: a star in the middle and some lines protruding inwards from the sides. To the untrained dog’s eye, it’ll take some getting used to, but it works well, especially for dogs with longer muzzles.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON3. Best for Large Dogs: JASGOOD Slow Dog Bowl
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Accessibility | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Sizes: 9.84″ x 1.58” | Material: Polypropylene (Heavy, thick plastic) | Brand: JASGOOD | Weight: 10.5 Ounces | Base: Anti-Slip | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dogs: Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Hold up to 3 cups of dog food
- Small dish in the middle for water
- BPA, PVC, Lead, & Phthalate-Free
What We Didn’t Like
- Not recommended for smaller dogs
- Smaller spaces are difficult to reach
- Sticky glue on the non-slip parts get messy
This simple but smart design can rival your biggest dog during mealtime. Having a high capacity of food and an inner bowl for water proves for a slower, more enjoyable lunch or dinner for the beast.
This is the best dish for large breed dogs, and works well for giant dogs, except some dogs with very wide muzzles may have a tough time getting kibble out of the nooks and crannies. However, it slowed our largest dogs down, which is what we wanted.
There seems to be a little bit of trouble regarding the grip though. The sticky part that held the grips together was leaking on our floors a bit so we had to wipe it off. It led to the grip not being as effective, so we marked it down a little bit on overall quality.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON4. Best For Dogs with Large Snouts: Dogit Dog Bowl
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Accessibility | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Sizes: 10.8″ x 10.8″ x 3.8″ | Material: Plastic | Brand: Dogit | Weight: 10.5 Ounces | Base: Anti-Slip | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dogs: Small to Large Breeds (Extra Small is Sold Out)
What We Liked
- Good for wet food, dry food and water
- Largest bowl holds up to 5 cups of food
- BPA, PVC, & Phthalate-Free
What We Didn’t Like
- Simple design may not challenge dogs enough
- A little more fragile than some others we tested
If you’ve noticed an ongoing trend with these bowls, it is most likely that their designs might be too intricate for dogs with large or unusual snout shapes. This bowl is the solution.
As with most big dogs, they tend to eat a lot and eat it quickly. The ridges are farther away from each other so they can really get in there. The ridges are wide enough apart that they don’t deter smaller dogs from wolfing food.
What you trade in for accessibility will subtract points in the effectiveness of the product. Since the design is simple and spacious, it may not function as well in the slow aspect of feeding. It truly depends on what dog you have and what their snout is like. This is best for dogs with very wide faces.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON5. Best Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Bowl: Durapet Slow Feeder Dog Bowls
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Accessibility | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Sizes: 7.58″ x 7.58″ x 1.97″ | Material: Stainless Steel | Brand: Durapet | Weight: 0.55 Pounds | Base: Anti-Slip | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dogs: Small to Medium Breeds
What We Liked
- Permanent bonded ring to the bottom to prevent skidding
- Design makes it easy to clean
- Steel prevents any chance of choking on plastic bits
What We Didn’t Like
- Simple design may not challenge dogs enough
- Bowls are little bit large for suggested breeds
This Durapet slow feeder bowl is the simplest design on this list, which complements the stainless steel nicely. The moat-style design does just enough to get the job done for larger breeds.
Our dog did not feel like he had to dig around or reach into crevices to get his kibble. He enjoyed the subtle challenge and feeding time still lasted a minute and a half longer than his usual thirty seconds.
One thing we noticed, however, was that over time. It became a little bit too simple as he was able to get to the food quicker over time. Having a slightly smaller bowl might have sufficed. For smaller breed dogs we recommend a more intricate bowl.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON6. Best for Smaller Dogs: Super Design Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Accessibility | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Sizes: 9.06″ x 9.06″ x 2.95″ | Material: Melamine | Brand: Super Design | Weight: 0.74 Pounds | Base: Anti-Slip | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dogs: Small Breeds
What We Liked
- BPA, PVC, & Phthalate-Free
- Wide selection of colors
What We Didn’t Like
- Large dogs can barely use “large” dish
This slow feeder bowl’s shortcomings might actually prove to be positives. This slow feeder bowl didn’t work as well for our larger dogs, but the smaller dogs took to it immediately. This makes sense as it is advertised towards dogs and cats alike.
The largest size holds 4 cups of food, while some of the larger sizes hold up to 5 cups.
Overall, this has all the makings of a solid slow-feeder bowl. The design is simple and challenging enough, has all the right perks and safeties that every slow feeder bowl should have without excess complication.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZONComparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Runner-Up | Best For Larger Dogs | Best For Dogs with Large Snouts | Best Stainless Steel | Best For Smaller Dogs |
| Overall Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Accessibility | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
Our top pick for the best slow feeder dog bowl was developed by Outward Hound. The Fun Feeder Slo Bowl has all the perks that a quality bowl should have. It is fun, colorful, creative, mentally stimulating, and slows all the dogs down.
On top of the perks, it excels at the simple stuff: having a design that balances the scale of accessibility and difficulty. Its simple flower ridges work well with almost every kind of dog and slows their eating down.
READ MORE: Best Dog Food Storage Containers. Keep your dog’s food fresh and protected with these tried and true dog food storage containers!
How to Pick the Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowl for Your Dog
If your dog’s biggest concern is how fast they’re eating, then choosing a dog bowl that is challenging enough is an important factor. Getting accustomed to any slow feeder bowl will have a learning curve, but smarter and more determined dogs may figure it out within a few feedings.
To prevent them from falling into their old ways of overeating (which lead to many health problems and hygienic issues), providing a worthwhile puzzle to get to their food is imperative.
How Big is Your Dog?
Selecting the appropriate size and its capacity is an underestimated factor. In addition to making sure your dog is eating the right amount of food, their snout plays a role in their eating.
If they can’t reach their food, they might not eat it or hurt their snout in the process of trying to eat. Having a spacious design but still has the primary function of slow feeding is significant.
Cleanliness and Safety
What good is having a slow feeder if it isn’t washable? With all the food, hair, drool, and other substances that might find themselves in a dog bowl, the ability to wash a dog bowl is critical. Slow feeders are even more difficult to wash than regular bowls, so dishwasher compatibility is a must.
READ MORE: Best Automatic Dog Feeders. Automatic dog feeders are great for multi-dog homes and large breeds. There are also automatic dog feeders that can dispense food more slowly to control the pace of eating. We reviewed the top options in this complete guide!
Honorable Mentions
Here’s a brief look at the 7 options that didn’t make our best slow feeder dog bowls list.
1. UPSKY Slow Feeder Dog Bowl – Considered for Smaller Dogs
UPSKY’s quality is still one of the best in the business but should advertise their bowls for smaller dogs. Bigger dogs with longer/larger snouts might have trouble with this one.
Everything else is mostly up to par, but we think a small dog might still be better off using the Super Design Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl.
2. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl (Orange) – Considered for Overall
Outward Hound is one of the companies that made this list twice because of their track record in making the best slow feeder dog bowls. This one has a slightly different design with their orange swirl. While it has a lot of the same perks, this design is a little bit less accessible than its purple swirl counterpart.
3. JASGOOD Dog Feeder – Considered for Overall
Another JASGOOD product makes an appearance here as well. This model is less functional as the superior Slow Dog Bowl. While the Slow Dog Bowl is built for larger pups, this one is not.
The reason why it made the honorable mention list is that it doesn’t have as much grip support as the Slow Dog Bowl. Grip support is a small, but important detail present in most dog bowls.
4. Neater Pet Brands Raised Slow Feeder – Considered for Larger Dogs
Despite its functionality and practical design, this slow feeder is difficult to wash well. Owners may also encounter the problem of trying to clean one compartment of the feeder when the other is full.
All in all, its design can be improved, so we recommend the Slow Dog Bowl. It has a similar design idea, but the water bowl isn’t as big and the feeder part works better for our dogs.
5. PINJUM Dog Bowl – Considered for Smaller Dogs
PINJUM’s dog bowl has a lot going for it. It has many of the traits a slow feeder should have, but it doesn’t perfect any of them to the others’ level. It is also aimed towards cats and dogs, making it a candidate for smaller dogs.
The main issue is the lack of a better grip on the bottom, so we chose to recommend the Super Design Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl which works better overall.
6. Neater Pet Brands Stainless Steel Slow Feed Bowl – Considered for Stainless Steel
The Neater Feeder is quite well known given its famous and catchy name. Unfortunately, it lacks a little bit in the quality department. It is known to rust a little and does not really work well for larger dogs or ones with larger snouts.
We feel confident recommending the Durapet Slow Feeder Dog Bowl for overall quality though the design lets dogs breeze through the food pretty quickly.
7. RIS USA Slow Feeder Dog Bowl – Considered for Dogs with Larger Snouts
Finding a slow feeder bowl for dogs with short or wide muzzles was a consistent problem. We like this bowl for many of our dogs with longer muzzles, the ridges stick up a little bit too high for many dogs.
Again we recommend the Super Design Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl or the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl as better options for most dogs.
