Greedy Dog? The 3 Benefits of Slow Feeders

Some dogs gobble every meal as if it is their last; if you blink, you will certainly miss them eating their dinner. Unfortunately, gobbling food up quickly can lead to lots of discomfort in our canine companions.

Slowing your dog’s eating and encouraging a better relationship with their dinner will drastically improve their health. Discover the three huge benefits of using slow and puzzle feeders.

Improved Digestion

I’m sure some of us have experienced the discomfort of eating too quickly or perhaps a little too much…

Gobbling down food can impact our dogs’ digestive systems. Inhaling food too quickly can result in your dog inadvertently swallowing lots of air. This can lead to bloating within their gut and a dangerous condition known as GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus). This condition can progress very quickly and causes the stomach to become twisted.

Some deep-chested breeds are more prone to GDV; however, eating very quickly will be a risk factor for all dog breeds and sizes.

Eating quickly can also increase the chance of gassiness, constipation and general discomfort in our canines. Their system struggles to break down food easily, resulting in a lethargic gut and a sluggish pup.

Slow down bowls and puzzle feeders will stop excess air from being ingested, reduce stress on the digestive system and promote proper stool function.

Mental Enrichment

Much like us, our dogs sometimes get bored. Boredom can, unfortunately, lead to attention-seeking behaviours such as excessive barking.

Problem-solving is a natural behaviour and a great way to entertain your canine companion. Giving your dog something to do that encourages using their brain and senses is a great way to reduce boredom behaviour.

Watch our Guide to Mental Enrichment

Slow down puzzle feeders keep your dog occupied and, at the same time, slow down their eating. The difficulty level can also increase as your dog becomes more skilled at solving the puzzle.

Better Dental Health

Dogs that gulp food quickly won’t benefit from kibble cleaning away some plaque on their teeth.

Carefully crunching their dinner helps support dogs’ dental health. Biscuits will scrape across some of their teeth, helping to remove plaque buildup. Slow down feeders encourage dogs to crunch up their dinner properly.

Using slow down bowls and feeders regularly will also encourage your dog to have a better relationship with food. Eating more slowly will just become a habit!

Common Slow Feeder FAQs

1. Can puppies use slow feeders?
   Adult dogs and puppies can benefit from using slow down feeders and puzzles. Remember, our pups are still learning a lot, so might need an easy-to-understand puzzle feeder.
2. How do you know if your dog needs a slow feeder?
   If your dog eats their meals quickly and frequently suffers from bloating, gassiness or less-than-desirable stools, it is worth trying to relax their eating habits.
   Remember, diet will have a huge impact on digestion, too. If you need help finding the perfect diet, watch our handy guide.
3. Which slow feeder should I use?
   For daily dinner time, a slow-down bowl can be handy.

However, puzzle feeders and snack mats are great for enriching their dinner a few times a week, distracting them while having their nails trimmed and keeping them mentally enriched.

If you need inspiration for what to use in your puzzle or treat feeder, browse our delicious range of natural wet food and irresistible treats.