If your dog can finish an entire meal in less time than it takes you to say, “Bailey, slow down!” you have a chow hound on your hands. These are the dogs that inhale their food without bothering to chew or even check what they’re eating. Labs are notorious chow hounds, but they come in all sizes, breeds, and personalities.
Gulping food in record time is an impressive skill in some circles, but eating too fast is a serious problem for dogs. It puts their health at risk, and in some cases, it’s life threatening.
There are several dangers of a dog eating their meals too fast. First, they risk choking on their food. They don’t take the time to chew properly, and it’s easy for food to become lodged in their throats. All pup parents should know how to do the doggy Heimlich maneuver, but choking on food is always scary and life threatening.
Even if your dog manages to safely swallow every bite, there’s a good chance the food won’t stay in their stomachs. A lot of dogs that eat too fast end up vomiting entire meals a few minutes after finishing. If you dare to take a closer look, you’ll see the thrown-up food doesn’t look much different than it did when you put it in your dog’s bowl. That’s because it was barely chewed and the stomach didn’t have time to digest or absorb nutrients.
The most serious concern dog owners need to know about is a condition called gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV)—better known as bloat. Bloat happens when dogs take in air as they eat. The stomach or intestines expand and sometimes twist within the abdomen. It’s immediately life threatening, and according to Dr. Jeff Grognet with AKC, it kills around 30% of dogs it affects. Signs of bloat include a ballooning of the dog’s abdomen, retching, and general restlessness. It’s important that a dog suffering from bloat sees an emergency vet right away. Big dogs with deep chests are most at risk, and Dr. Grognet says dogs that eat fast are five times more likely to develop bloat than dogs that eat more slowly.
Drawbacks of Slow Feeder Dog Bowls
Its hard to believe a slow feeder bowl can have any disadvantages, since weve established that its got so many benefits. But there are.
Teeth damage: If your dog eats enthusiastically its possible for her to damage her teeth. If the bowl is made of a durable material, dogs could get frustrated trying to get to the food. Its not likely to happen, though.
Plastic: When you purchase a cheap plastic bowl, there’s a chance that your dog’s going to eat small parts of the bowl.
Washing: Cleaning these bowls is a challenge because there are so many nooks and crannies. If the bowls a puzzle and hard for the dog to eat from, itll be harder to clean.
Mess: Dogs make more mess while eating from these bowls, especially when theyre trying to get at the food. In their eagerness to get the food, dogs might even knock them over. If you have a powerful dog and believe this might be an issue choose a stable bowl, that’s heavy.
If you find the right bowl for your pup, you wont have to worry about these problems.
What Exactly is a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?
A slow feeder bowl is a bowl with all kinds of obstructions in it. Dog slow feeders come in different materials – brightly colored plastic to stainless steel – and offer several obstacles for your pet to figure out.
Dogs have to go around ridges, and bumps so they can eat. The bowls look like games or puzzles, but they can prevent serious medical conditions.
Questions Frequently Asked:
We often get some questions that pop up from readers. So we will be covering the most frequently asked questions about this Dollar Tree Slow Feeder Dog Bowl right here.
That way it will save you the time of having to ask yourself. Well, unless you have a question we have not covered it yet.
Is The Glue Safe Around Food? While we are not a vet nor a chemical expert, we feel it is safe to use around the food. That is because the glue never even comes in contact with the food.
The glue/epoxy is only under the bottom of the no-tip dish. The pebbles of the food only stay on the outside edge of the dish or in the bowl of it.
So by the two never coming in contact with each other, we feel it is pretty safe and have had no issues. However, if it bothers you, this may not be the dish for you and there are other options you can use.
FAQ
How do you make a slow feeder dog bowl?
Are slow feeders frustrating for dogs?
Damage to the Teeth: If your dog is particularly enthusiastic while eating, there is a risk that she might damage her teeth. Some dogs might become frustrated trying to get at the food, and if the bowl is made from a durable material, this is a possibility.
Does my dog need a Slow Feed bowl?
Can you put raw food in a slow feeder bowl?